Medical insurance is a complicated matter at the best of times. For seniors this is doubly so, because many of them no longer work, and not very many of them can do without the benefits they are entitled to. Government funded senior care is one of the things that these people depend on. By an official estimate, there are around 30,000 assisted living facilities spread around the country, populated by more than one million seniors.

Most seniors are qualified to receive Medicare or Medicaid based on their income and financial situation. Medicare is made available to those who are at least 65 years old, and have been legally in residence within the United States for at least 5 years before applying. Medicaid is also government funded and managed by individual states. This is under their department of insurance. Medicaid qualification depends on the assets that the individual has, their income, and type of residence. This usually covers most costs of the nursing home admission and the additional senior care that comes with it.

A seriously low income or sever disability may qualify a senior for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is managed by the Social Security Administration. Under this, they can avail several benefits, including monthly supplemental payments, food stamps and hospital visit assistance.

If the senior fails to qualify for Medicaid, they can still try to avail something called long-term care insurance. This is intended towards stay in nursing homes and nursing facilities. If long-term insurance is what you are in search of for a senior, check out the various benefits covered under each plan. Also important is the cost of the premiums, and if or not the policy covers any pre-existing conditions.

Seniors will also find it convenient to avail care assistance from Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) which accept Medicare payment and offer services at lower cost deductibles or co-payments. Also emphasized heavily is preventative medicine, just as is the actual treatment. This is one of the things about this senior care option, which should prove helpful in many ways. There is even eye care among the list of services provided by many of them, and dental services and emergency care whenever necessary.

These are some of the options surrounding senior care that elders and their families would do well to be aware of. This information is tentative, so check them up right before your senior decides to move to a senior home.