Dr. Melissa Sutton, OHA medical director of respiratory viral pathogens, and members of Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) at Oregon Department of Human Services, answered today’s questions.
Q: I am in need of COVID tests. During the pandemic we were mailed free tests, but now I am out of them and my daughter got COVID and I needed some. Can you help with this? – Joyce, Hillsboro
A: “Good news, Joyce. The federal government has restarted its program to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests. Each U.S. household can now order four more at-home tests by going to COVIDtests.gov. The tests will be delivered via U.S. Postal Service directly to your home.
“When you receive the new tests, take note of the lot numbers and expiration dates on the boxes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration keeps this updated list of approved at-home COVID-19 testing kits, along with their lot numbers, expiration dates and whether those dates have been extended. If people have at-home tests that have expired, with no expiration date extensions, they should throw them away and order or purchase new ones.”
Q: I would like to know if there are care facilities in Oregon for elders, specifically for those who suffer from dementia, that also accept Medicare. Currently I pay for my mother's care out of pocket, but her needs are changing, and I would like to get information on care facilities in Oregon where she could live and be able to thrive. I am her eldest daughter, and reside in California, so I would come to Oregon and view the establishment to see if would fit her needs or not. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated. – Michelle, San Jose
A: “Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the cost of a long-term/memory care facility for dementia patients who need custodial care (activities for daily living), if that’s the only care they need. Medicare will cover skilled nursing facility care on a temporary basis, however, in some circumstances. I think you’ll find this article helpful, particular the section at the bottom about long-term care: Does Medicare cover dementia care?
“If someone is financially and service-need qualified, it is possible that Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan) could cover the cost of an assisted living or memory care community if the individual cannot pay for it out-of-pocket. However, if the individual has any financial resources, those get used first until assets are at or below $2,000 and they qualify for services. Learn more here.
“There are many communities in Oregon to choose from depending on the level of care needed, the financial ability to pay and the best fit for the individual. Some people do better in larger communities with more activities if they are more socially inclined. Some do better in smaller, adult foster/residential care home situations which are more home-like with up to eight residents.
“Here is a publication that may be helpful: A Guide to Oregon Adult Foster Homes.
“You can also use this search tool to find long-term care facilities in Oregon, and you can filter your search by facility type, as well as insurance type.”
If you have a question related to COVID-19 or other public health topics, submit your question here. While we are unable to answer every question, we try to address questions that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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