126 Assisted Living Communities in Baltimore County, Maryland

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,250 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 126 Assisted Living Communities in Baltimore County and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $4,250
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $9,733
• In-home care: $4,004
• Adult day health services: $1,880

According to the 2018 Cost of Care study conducted by Genworth, Baltimore County’s median monthly assisted living cost is $250 more expensive than the national average ($4,000). It’s less expensive, however, than the state average of $4,673. Average costs are higher in the California Area ($5,900), the Hagerstown Area ($5,045) and Salisbury ($5,045), while monthly costs in Cumberland ($3,650) tend to be more affordable.

In the Baltimore County area, the cost of senior care depends on the type of care received. Assisted living facilities are affordable when compared to nursing home care, which has monthly fees more than double for semiprivate rooms ($9,733) and private rooms ($10,585). Home care costs are on par with or slightly less than assisted living costs, depending on whether seniors need homemaking assistance or health assistance. When comparing costs, seniors should consider the additional expenses incurred with each long-term care lifestyle. While average assisted living costs exceed home care costs in Baltimore County, seniors who remain at home have to budget for upkeep. Assisted living facilities, on the other hand, often cover the price of utilities. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,250

• Homemaker services: $4,004

• Home health aide: $4,242

• Adult day health: $1,880

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $9,733

Low-income seniors living in Baltimore County may be eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. To receive Medicaid coverage, seniors must be Maryland residents, have a social security number, be a U.S. citizen/qualified immigrant and meet the income limits. The standard state income limits are $16,612 for individuals and $22,490 for two-person households. Income limits for seniors may vary by area, however. Seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible for the state’s Medicaid program.

Maryland’s Medicaid program offers benefits such as emergency medical transportation and clinic, laboratory, X-ray, medical day care, pharmacy and vision care services. The standard Medicaid plan does not usually cover the cost of assisted living facilities. To receive financial assistance for assisted living, seniors may need to apply to one of the state’s waiver programs.

If seniors are deemed eligible for Medicaid, they are required to choose a managed care organization. MCOs provide seniors with individual care plans. Baltimore County seniors can choose from a range of MCOs, including Aetna Better Health of Maryland, Kaiser Permanente, MedStar Family Choice, Jai Medical Systems and AMERIGROUP Community Care. If seniors do not choose an MCO during the application process, they are assigned one at random. While all Maryland’s MCO programs cover basic health services, such as doctor’s visits and hospital services, other benefits vary by plan. Seniors with specific health needs should research their MCO options before making a selection.

To request information on income requirements or an application for Medicaid, seniors in Baltimore County can call their local Department of Human Services branch at (410) 853-3000.

Home and Community-Based Options Waiver

Maryland’s Home and Community-Based Options Waiver provides assisted living facility services to eligible seniors. The program is part of the state’s Long-Term Services and Supports, which takes a person-centered approach to long-term care. The Home and Community-Based Options Waiver offers services such as case management, nutrition counseling, family training, medical day care and assisted living. Seniors enrolled in this waiver also receive the standard Medicaid benefits, including physician care, pharmacy services and accessibility adaptations.

To qualify for the waiver, seniors must demonstrate a need for nursing facility-level care. A uniform medical assessment determines whether a senior’s care requirements meet the criteria. To establish financial eligibility, a representative from the Department of Social Services or the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene assesses the applicant’s income and assets. Once seniors are accepted into the waiver program, they choose a Supports Planning Agency. The selected agency helps seniors develop a long-term care plan that suits their health needs.

To apply for the Home and Community-Based Options waiver, Baltimore County seniors can call (410) 767-1739.

Increased Community Services

The Increased Community Services program is designed for seniors currently living in nursing homes. This waiver helps eligible seniors move out of nursing homes and into the community-based care program of their choice, including assisted living facilities. To qualify for the ICS, seniors need to have lived in a nursing home for at least 90 days. This program is for seniors with monthly incomes or assets too high for the Home and Community-Based Options waiver. If seniors are deemed medically and financially eligible for the ICS, they are also eligible to receive Medicaid benefits, ranging from hospital care to pharmacy services.

To learn more about the Increased Community Services program, seniors can call 1-844-627-5465.

The local Department of Aging provides programs and services for Baltimore County’s senior population. By contacting the office, seniors can learn about housing options, transportation services, seniors centers and financial benefits. Baltimore County Department of Aging
611 Central Avenue Mailstop 1102H, Towson, Maryland 21204
(410) 887-2594

Seniors who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States may be eligible for assistance from the local Veterans Affairs office. Services offered include disability benefits, compensation/pension claims and health care.

Baltimore Veterans Affairs Office
31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 3020, Baltimore, MD 21201
800-446-4926, ext. 6450

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.