Skilled Nursing in Spriingfield, Massachusetts: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

Springfield is a city in western Massachusetts. Beside the Connecticut River, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame commemorates the sport in a striking building. Collections at the Springfield Museums include American paintings and sculpture, scientific exhibits and Asian art. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss celebrates the beloved children’s author. Springfield Armory documents 2 centuries of military history.

About Nursing Homes in Springfield

There are excellent facilities for healthcare in Massachusetts. This is an added bonus for the aging adults in the state. They’ve already got the most beautiful summers and autumns in the United States, a rich history going back to the origins of the country. About 18% of the population of Massachusetts is 65 years and older and may require care at some point. A Skilled Nursing facility is a state-licensed facility that provides a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals who require rehabilitative care. Skilled nursing in Massachusetts typically helps with the transition between a hospital and more permanent residence, which could be an assisted living or independent living community. Most often, skilled nursing is short-term acute care, but there may be long-term care services as well. Facilities are required to be licensed by the Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification, the Department of Health Services. The two main certification requirements for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) are The State Certification and Medicare certification and accreditation. State agencies perform inspections for certification and report findings to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Massachusetts is well-known for its high-quality healthcare. 

Considerations when looking for care in Springfield

If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Springfield, the hottest months are July, August, and then June.The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 86.8°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 62°F. The cold season lasts from December 1 to March 11, with the coldest month of the year being January, with an average low of 19°F and high of 34°F.

There are 154,789 people who call Springfield home and there are over 60 skilled nursing facilities to choose from to find your next home.

Cities near Springfield 

• Hartford (CT) – 26 miles south of Springfield
• Holyoke – 9 miles north of Springfield
• Westfield – 10 miles west of Springfield
• Palmer – 19 miles east of Springfield

Pricing and how to Pay for Skilled Nursing 

Health care is not cheap in Massachusetts. Skilled nursing care is no exception. A double occupancy room is $12,800 per month; a single occupancy room is $13,750 per month. Average daily costs for skilled nursing:

• The national average cost for skilled nursing care is $325 / day. This may not include all supplies, medications, therapy or rehab. 
• Private rooms are more expensive at $340 / day. 
• A shared room averages out to $310 / day.

Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.

Private pay – YES:

• Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
• Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
• Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicare -MAYBE:

Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors: 

• People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
• Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
• The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more) 
• The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital. 
• The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility. 
• The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF. 
• The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition. 
• The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.  
• You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.

• Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services. 
• People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care. 
• The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.  
• The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point, so naturally, buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

• Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

• There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
• A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
• If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to ask a skilled nursing facility

• Is the facility licensed?
• Has the facility’s license ever been revoked?
• Is the facility Medicare/Medicaid certified?
• What types of insurance is accepted?
• Are all specific medical needs able to be met?
• What services are offered?
• What is the rate for basic care?
• Are any reviews available to be seen by the public?
• Are protocols in place to ensure healthy, balanced meals?
• What if an individual has specific dietary restrictions, can they be met at the facility?

Additional questions and inquiries to ask skilled nursing facilities

• What should a new resident (patient) bring with them?
• What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
• What happens in case of an emergency?
• Can the family pet visit the resident?
• What is the level of privacy?
• What are the available social activities?
• What is the hours for family visits?
• Can patients request special meals for dietary needs?
• Are skilled nursing facilities connected to hospitals?
• How big are the rooms?
• What are the training requirements of skilled nurses?

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Springfield

Caring Health Center

1049 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103

Mercy Medical Center: Emergency Department

271 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104

Baystate Medical Practices Main St

3500 Main St, Springfield, MA 01107

Local Resources and Links – Massachusetts

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging seeks to outreach to older persons and their caregivers, hoping to educate them on services and programs that are meant to serve and assist them to remain safely and securely in our communities.

Age Strong Commission As an AAA, the Commission provides funding to community partners to provide services to seniors in the neighborhoods. The Commission also provides direct services to seniors such as advocacy, information and referral, transportation, volunteer opportunities and cultural and social events.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs State Agency that contracts with local service providers.

Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. is an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) providing services to help preserve the independence, and quality of life of elders and disabled persons desiring to remain within their own.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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