Paying for assisted living in Utah
Most Utah families start by paying for assisted living out of pocket. Common funding sources include personal savings, Social Security and pension income, proceeds from selling a home, long-term care insurance, and help from family. Costs vary widely depending on the community, the city, the size of the apartment, and how much daily care a resident needs. You can compare current local pricing in the tables below.
Because private pay can be expensive, it helps to understand what public programs will and will not cover before you choose a community.
Does the New Choices Waiver cover assisted living in Utah?
Utah's Medicaid program can help pay for the care side of assisted living through a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver called the New Choices Waiver. Like every state, Utah Medicaid never pays for room and board in assisted living, but a waiver can cover personal care and support services that would otherwise make assisted living unaffordable.
A few important things to know:
- The New Choices Waiver is designed to help people who are already living in a nursing facility or licensed assisted living/Type N residence move to or remain in a community-based setting. There are minimum length-of-stay rules before you can apply.
- Applicants must meet a nursing-facility level of care plus Medicaid income and asset limits.
- Enrollment is capped, so there may be a waitlist.
To apply for Medicaid and add long-term care coverage, submit a medical application (with the Long Term Care addendum) online through myCase, by mail or fax to the Department of Workforce Services, or in person. For New Choices Waiver questions, call 800-662-9651, option 6.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Utah?
No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for ongoing custodial (non-medical) care such as help with bathing, dressing, or meals.
Medicare may still cover other things while someone lives in assisted living, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs (Part D), and short-term skilled nursing or rehab in a nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay.
For free, unbiased help understanding Medicare, Medigap, and Part D options, contact Utah's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-541-7735.
