3 Assisted Living Communities in Forney, Texas

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,350 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 3 Assisted Living Communities in Forney and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Forney, TX

• Assisted Living: $4,350
• Nursing Home Care: $5,064
• In-home Care: $4,004
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,408

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care study, assisted living in Forney has an average monthly cost of $4,350, which is higher than both the national and state average. In nearby Tyler, the cost is substantially lower at $3,800. Moving further east is even more affordable, with a monthly cost of $3,100 in Longview, and $2,265 in Texarkana, which is the lowest price in Texas.

The most expensive area for assisted living in Texas is Austin, with a cost of $5,190 a month, which is approximately $1,400 more than the state average.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Forney, so data for the wider Dallas area was used.

The cost of assisted living in Texas is relatively low compared to many other states, although Forney itself is in an expensive area for this level of care. In-home care is around $300 cheaper than assisted living. This difference in price can be misleading, however, as the individual will most likely be paying more than this amount in utility bills, food and other household costs that are eliminated while in assisted living. Nursing homes have the highest level of care and are also the most expensive option, although it’s still relatively affordable in Forney and Texas as a whole, and it’s easier to become eligible for financial assistance while in nursing care.

 

Texas Medicaid uses state and federal funding to help seniors and the disabled pay for health care services, including in-home and nursing care, as well as assisted living if the individual passes an additional eligibility check.

The core benefits covered by Medicaid include hospitalization, visits to a doctor, drugs, lab fees, dental care, vision and hearing. Some long-term care options are also covered by Medicaid when applying based on age or disability.

STAR+PLUS Medicaid is the managed care program for seniors and the disabled in Texas. This level of coverage includes all the core Medicaid benefits as well as additional care options tailored to seniors that are intended to delay the need for nursing home care.

Medicaid requirements for seniors or the disabled in Texas include:

• Minimum of 65 years of age or disabled based on Social Security definition
• Maximum of $24,731 of countable annual income or $33,482 if applying as a couple
• Maximum of $2,000 in countable assets or $3,000 if applying as a couple
• Resident of Texas and legal U.S. citizen or national or satisfactory immigration status

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income payments automatically qualify to receive Medicaid in Texas regardless of their age. A full-scope plan that includes all Medicaid services with no share of cost covers these individuals.

Eligible seniors and disabled people in Texas are entitled to care in a nursing facility and some in-home services with no waiting period or limit on participants. Assisted living is not an entitlement under Texas Medicaid and is only covered through the use of the HCBS waiver explained below.

People can apply for Texas Medicaid and the STAR+PLUS program at Your Texas Benefits. Paper forms to apply by mail are also available, as well as in-person applications at local benefit offices. They can also call (877) 541-7905 for help in the application process.

STAR+PLUS Medicaid HCBS Waiver

This waiver is available for eligible Forney residents, and Texans in general, who are receiving health care through the STAR+PLUS Medicaid program. HCBS waivers are created at the state level so that some of the federal Medicaid restrictions can be removed on a case-by-case basis, which allows for partial coverage of assisted living and a higher degree of in-home care.

Individuals are assessed during the application process to determine whether they need the level of care usually provided in a nursing facility and can live safely in an alternate setting if they receive HCBS services. This opens up the possibility of assisted living and more in-home services if it’s deemed an appropriate choice for the individual.

Applicants for HCBS waiver services must also be approved or eligible for SSI payments and Medicaid and not currently participating in any other waiver program in Texas.

People can apply for HCBS waiver services at Your Texas Benefits by submitting the forms online or printing and mailing them. They can also call (877) 541-7905 for help with the benefits website or (877) 782-6440 for the STAR+PLUS HCBS helpline.

Community Care for Aged and Disabled

The CCAD program helps seniors pay for the care they receive outside of nursing facilities. Individuals must be assessed as needing nursing care but able to live safely elsewhere in the community with extra support. This includes their own home, assisted living and adult day health care.

Applicants for Community Care for Aged and Disabled must also be financially eligible for either Medicaid or SSI. Additionally, they must not be receiving Medicaid assistance for any service covered by the CCAD. This means it’s not possible to receive aid from both sources for the same service, but each will help pay for different services.

Seniors can apply for the CCAD program at Your Texas Benefits. They can call (877) 541-7905 for assistance using the website or with other questions.

Optional State Supplement

Texans who receive SSI payments from the federal government may also be eligible for a small additional monthly amount at the state level. This money comes from the Optional State Supplement program, and it’s combined with SSI into one monthly payment.

Applicants must be living in a Medicaid-approved facility in Texas, such as assisted living or a nursing home, to be eligible for OSS. They must also meet all requirements for SSI. In Texas, OSS is an entitlement, so there is no waiting list and all who are eligible can receive payments as soon as they’re approved.

Seniors can apply for OSS at the Social Security Administration website or by visiting an office. Balch Springs, reachable at (800) 772-1213, is the local office for residents of Forney.

Area Agencies on Aging provide many services and supports for seniors and caregivers, such as benefits counseling, respite and other caregiver services, as well as home repairs and assistance with chores. Services are provided at low or no cost. The local AAA for Forney residents is the Community Council of Greater Dallas. Community Council of Greater Dallas
1341 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 1000W, Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 871-5065

The closest Veterans Service Office for residents of Forney is the main office for Kaufman County in Kaufman. VSO staff can assist veterans and their family members in determining which VA benefits they may be eligible for and act as a guide throughout the application process. Seniors should ask whether they can receive additional payments along with their regular pension.

Kaufman County Veterans Affairs
100 N. Washington St., Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-4331, ext. 1222

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