The cost of assisted living varies greatly by city and state. The national median cost for an assisted living facility is around $4,300 a month, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. In some states or cities, however, the cost can be much higher.
For example, the 2020 median cost for an assisted living facility in Seattle was $6,750 a month, and the median cost in Washington, D.C. was $6,000 a month. Meanwhile, assisted living monthly costs were lower than the national median in other cities, such as Miami ($3,500), St. Louis ($3,750) and Charleston, South Carolina ($3,600).
Is Assisted Living Covered by Insurance?
Most health insurance policies don’t provide coverage for assisted living. However, if you have long-term care insurance, your policy may cover assisted living costs. If you meet income eligibility requirements and you (or a spouse) qualify as a wartime military veteran, you may also be able to receive a monthly monetary benefit to help pay for assisted living through the Veterans Administration’s Aid and Attendance program.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care costs for assisted living or nursing home care. Medicare typically covers only short-term, in-home or residential care while recovering from a hospital stay.
Medicaid Coverage
Medicaid is a state program, and Medicaid benefits for assisted living vary by state. Generally, if the resident meets state income eligibility guidelines and the assisted living community is licensed by the state and accepts Medicaid, the program pays for “long-term care services” like personal care but doesn’t pay for the room and board portion of assisted living costs.
