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Retirement News : Seniors : New Options For Long-Term Care Could Mean Big Savings For State
New Options For Long-Term Care Could Mean Big Savings For State
Date Added: 26-05-2005
Millions of taxpayer dollars may be saved in the future thanks to a resolution passed Tuesday.
State lawmakers signed off on a plan that could give elderly TennCare patients more options when it comes to long term care.
The resolution could keep people out of the nursing home who don't need to be there.
For TennCare patients who need long-term care, a nursing home is often the only option available.
Seventy-five percent of patients in Tennessee nursing homes rely on TennCare to pay their bills.
Tennessee is last in the country when it comes to offering long-term health care options for patients on state aid.
The AARP has fought for years to change that, and they may have finally won the battle.
State Lawmakers have signed off on a plan that could give folks on TennCare more options.
“Everything from nursing homes, to assisted living, to adult day care, to care in the home. Families and loved ones will have options in long term care,” Mary Liz Knish of the AARP said.
The state spends almost $1 billion each year on nursing home stays for TennCare patients.
Home health care options are less expensive, and could save the state tens of millions of dollars.
“The best part about this is we can serve more people at home than we do today, and we can save the state money,” Knish said.
The resolution was passed by both the House and Senate, and has gone to Governor Bredesen.
The Governor said he has yet to see the exact wording of the resolution, but he has expressed support for the idea.
It could be a few weeks before he gives the resolution his approval.
The AARP has said it has proof the new resolution could save taxpayer dollars.
It said the average cost of a nursing home stay is $40,000 - $50,000 a year, while home health care options are only a third of that cost.
For More Information: http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/11519.asp
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