Do you or an elderly member of your family need
long-term care in a nursing home setting? But, are you perplexed about how to
cover the most burdensome of medical costs? The NHSS, popularly known as Fair
Deal, is a government financial support scheme for Irish residents who need
long-term care. Under this scheme, the patient pays part of the nursing home
fees and the HSE pays the balance.
Wondering what the Fair deal is all about? Check out
the nursing homes support scheme guide
below for a detailed insight.
What Does The Fair Deal
Scheme Cover?
The government financial support scheme covers
long-term nursing home care only. The Fair Deal covers a great level of care
appropriate to the individual as well as a bed, laundry, and board service.
Also, it covers certain therapeutic activities and some appliances and aids
needed to assist with the activities of daily living. If an individual has a
medical card, it should cover the cost of aids, appliances, and medical care
like medication and GP charges.
The Fair Deal does not cover:
·
Short-term
care like a convalescent, respite or day-care
·
Additional
fees are charged by the nursing home for several services like activities,
hairdressing, or therapies
Ensure you ask the nursing home what additional fees
will have to be paid. These will have to be agreed upon and included in your
contract.
What Is The ‘Three-Year
Cap’?
Some assets are included in the financial assessment
for only the first 3 years when you are in care. It is known as the ‘three-year
cap’. This means that you have to pay a 7.5% contribution based on the value of
certain assets for up to three years. These assets could include:
·
Your
house
·
The
proceeds of the sale of your house
·
Your
business or farm
After the completion of three years, you will not give
any more payment on these assets, even if you still get long-term care at a
nursing home. Keep in mind that all other assets will be considered for as long
as you are in nursing home care. In case you have already been in a nursing
home for three years when applying for the Fair Deal Scheme, you do not have to pay the 7.5% payment on your home.
How Long Does It Take To
Receive The Fair Deal Funding?
When it comes to Fair Deal, the waiting period can
vary depending on individual circumstances. If a person got admitted from the
community to a nursing home before the Fair deal application was approved, the
nursing home care expenses will be borne by the patient or their family. The
HSE will not cover the cost.
If the person is admitted from a hospital, the
hospital might have access to a transitional care bed in a nursing home to
which the individual can be admitted while the application is being processed.
If there is no availability of transitional care beds, the hospital might apply
for temporary funding from the local Fair Deal office. Remember; this funding
isn’t automatically given.
The elderly individual or their representative should
always ask about this to ensure the hospital applies for the funding otherwise
the nursing home will just bill the individual or their representatives. An
individual can apply for the scheme before entering the nursing home and in
several ways, this is preferable since it will give both the elderly and/or
their carer time to select the nursing home that perfectly suits their needs.
Final Words:
Now that you are aware of everything with this nursing home support scheme guide, what
are you still waiting for? It’s time to apply for the Fair Deal and get
financial assistance!