WA Cares Fund: An Opportunity for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Washington’s long-term care system continues to face increasing demand and workforce pressure. There are challenges for both families and providers. The WA Cares Fund was created to help address this gap by providing eligible Washingtonians with a lifetime long-term care benefit they can use toward approved services. For Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities, WA Cares can also create additional opportunities to support people while strengthening long-term care in Washington State.
One of the ways WA Cares can benefit facilities is by helping cover the initial $36,500 in a person’s long-term care journey, providing an easier way to pay for care sooner. Many people face substantial initial expenses and often end up selling a home or pooling resources to pay for residential care; especially for those who do not qualify for Medicaid. For families who may have limited resources, but not little enough to qualify for Medicaid, or are not yet eligible for other programs, these initial costs can become a barrier to accessing care when it is needed. WA Cares benefits can help bridge that gap, allowing individuals to move into care settings sooner and with less financial strain.
This support can be especially valuable for individuals who have long-term care insurance policies with waiting periods. Many private LTC policies include waiting periods before benefits begin. Once a beneficiary is assessed as eligible, WA Cares can help cover services during the time before private insurance begins paying benefits. In this way, WA Cares can act as a short-term bridge, helping people maintain access to care without interruption.
Also, WA Cares can assist individuals who are waiting for Medicaid eligibility determinations through DSHS. Medicaid approval can take time, and families may struggle to cover care needs and costs during the application process. WA Cares benefits can provide support during this transition period, helping individuals receive care while their Medicaid application is being processed.
From a provider perspective, WA Cares also offers an important financial consideration. WA Cares reimbursement rates are at market rates rather than Medicaid rates. While WA Cares is not designed to replace Medicaid or private pay, it can provide an additional funding source that may help support the cost of care during early stages of a person’s care journey.
Equally important is that participation in WA Cares does not remove provider choice. The agreement is between the provider and the WA Cares beneficiary, and the two parties agree to services within the WA Cares rate structure. Providers maintain the ability to determine whether accepting an individual is appropriate based on their needs, capacity, and anticipated long-term financing. Participation in WA Cares does not require facilities to accept Medicaid residents.
Finally, WA Cares can also support facilities with short-term occupancy opportunities. If a facility has open beds or temporary gaps between residents, WA Cares-funded respite or short-term care services can help fill those openings. This can provide important relief for caregivers and families while also allowing providers to utilize available capacity.
The WA Cares Fund is another tool that can help Washington residents access care while supporting the long-term care providers who serve them. WA Cares can help connect people with needed services while offering providers additional pathways to serve their communities. As more people earn benefits, Washingtonians will increasingly expect providers to accept payment through WA Cares when shopping for assisted living or long-term nursing home care. Find out more about how to apply as a WA Cares Fund provider here: Provider Toolkit
Providers can learn more about participation at the WHCA “Lunch and Learn” scheduled for 12:00pm on April 16. Register here.
