Medicare Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home

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Table of Contents

Section 1: Welcome

Before You Get Started ............................................. 5
If you are Helping Another Person ................................... 5
Important Information if You Have Medicare........................ 6–7
How to Use This Booklet............................................ 8
Who Can Help Answer Questions? ............................... 9–10

Section 2: Choosing the Type of Care You Need

Agencies That Can Help With Long-Term Care Choices................ 11
Alternative Long-Term Care Choices............................. 12–16

Section 3: Steps to Choosing a Nursing Home

Find Out About The Nursing Homes In Your Area .................... 17
Compare the Quality of the Nursing Homes You Are Considering.... 18–25
Visit the Nursing Homes You Are Interested In .................... 26–31
The Nursing Home Checklist.................................... 32–35
Choose the Nursing Home that Meets Your Needs..................... 36

Section 4: Making the Arrangements to Enter a Nursing Home

What Information Is Needed? ...................................... 37
Healthcare Advance Directives ..................................... 38
Personal Needs Accounts .......................................... 38

Section 5: Paying for Nursing Home Care and Other Health Care Costs

Overview........................................................ 39
Personal Resources ............................................... 40
Help From Your State (Medicaid) ................................ 40–42
Long Term Care Insurance......................................... 42
Medicare for Your Healthcare and Prescription Drugs .............. 43–45

Section 6: In the Nursing Home

Care Plans....................................................... 47
Reporting and Resolving Problems.................................. 48
Your Resident Rights and Protections............................. 49–54

Section 7: For More Information

Free Booklets on Medicare and Related Topics........................ 55
For Information about Specific Conditions and Diseases ............ 56–58
Important Telephone Numbers .................................. 59–61

Section 8: Words to Know (Where words in blue are defined) . . . . . . . . . . . 63–64

Section 9: Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65–67

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The “Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home” is prepared by the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS and states oversee the
quality of nursing homes. State and Federal government agencies certify
nursing homes to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

The “Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home” isn’t a legal document.
Official Medicare Program legal guidance is contained in the relevant
laws, statutes, regulations, and rulings.

The information in this booklet was correct when it was printed.
Changes may occur after printing. Call 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227), or visit www.medicare.gov to get the most current
information. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.


Download the full booklet:
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/02174.pdf