New Long-Term Care Policies Released

The Department of Health has released the policies that will help Nova Scotians understand what to expect when going into long-term care. The policies, released today, Dec. 6, specify who is eligible for what services, how people will be placed, and what they should expect to pay.

"Covering the health-care cost for people who need long-term care was part of the government's Your Health Matters plan for better health care, released in 2003," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "These policies outline how Nova Scotians will benefit from the new funding approach, improved respite services, and a new specialized equipment program."

The new policies become effective Jan. 1, 2005, and are outlined in the Long-term Care Policy Manual, which is now available on the Department of Health website at www.gov.ns.ca/health/ccs/ltc.htm .

People who apply for placement in a long-term care facility through the Department of Health will continue to receive a care assessment to determine the type of facility that would best serve their needs.

The new policies set a maximum accommodation charge for each type of facility. The 2005 maximum accommodation charge, will be $77 per day for all nursing homes, $45 per day for all residential care facilities, and $43 per day for all community-based options under the mandate of the Department of Health. These costs come into effect on Jan. 1. Each year the costs will be adjusted on Nov. 1.

If an individual is not able to pay the maximum accommodation charge, the Department of Health will reduce the charge. To determine the reduced accommodation charge, a financial assessment is done. This assessment looks only at a person's income. Assets are no longer considered part of the financial assessment.

After Jan. 1, 2005, single people who cannot pay the maximum accommodation charge will retain the greater of $200 or 15 per cent of their assessed income each month. The remainder of their income will be used to pay for their accommodation.

"We've had a lot of questions about the financial assessment process, and specifically what happens when one spouse requires long-term care and the other remains in the community. We now have the answers to those questions," said Mr. MacIsaac.

This process is included in the resident charge policy in section 5.11.

Assessed income from both spouses will be combined and then divided in half. If the spouse in the community is left with less than $1,210 per month, his or her income can be topped up by transferring a portion from the income of the spouse who is entering long-term care. This reduces the amount of money available to pay for accommodation costs, so this charge will be reduced. The individual entering care will keep the greater of $200 per month or 15 per cent of his/her portion of assessed income, and retain control over all assets.