Admissions Information

Admissions Process
The A.G. Rhodes lifestyle combines the comfort and capabilities of a modern facility and the care and nurturing of dedicated professionals.  Our capable staff will assist residents and their families in the admission process.  All admissions require the recommendation of a physician.  The A.G. Rhodes Homes has an open door policy of providing service and care to anyone regardless of financial ability, race, creed, sex or national origin.  The A.G. Rhodes Homes accept Medicaid, Medicare and private pay resources.  Due to high demand for placement and numerous referral sources, we do not maintain waiting lists at any of our communities.  Please speak with our Admissions Director for any additional questions you may have regarding placement.

For those seeking placement who’s loved ones are currently in a sub-acute or hospital setting, you may request that your case worker or social services representative supply our facility with your family member’s current medical record.  Your case worker will then work directly with our Admissions office to insure that all proper documentation is supplied to our facility.

For consideration of placement for those living at home, in independent or assisted living facilities, it is necessary that your loved one see their primary care physician for state regulated documentation. 

For immediate consideration for placement, please provide copies of the following documents:

Face Sheet (including insurance information              
Blood Transfusion documentation
Level 1 or Level 2 Form (can be obtained from your physician’s office)
DMA-6 Form (can be obtained from your physician’s office)                                                         
Physician Orders, MAR medication listing 
Three (3) days of Nurse’s Notes                                      
Current History and Physical                                  
Therapy (PT/OT/ST) notes and MBS test results (if applicable
Chest x-ray/negative tuberculosis test results

How Medicare Works
Medicare benefits are managed by the Social Security Office.  In order to utilize Medicare, a person must be a Social Security beneficiary.  Medicare has two parts.  “Part A” helps pay for care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice and requires no premium. 

Medicare Benefits continued
In order to qualify for “Part A”, you must be admitted to the facility within 30 days of discharge from a hospital stay of 3 or more days (not including your discharge day).  “Part A” allows a person to use up to 100 days of coverage.  Medicare pays all costs for covered services, including a semiprivate room, therapy, medical social services, medications, supplies and other services for the first 20 days of care.  Medicare will pay a part of the next 80 days.  You pay $141.50 per day for covered services.  Medicare then pays all costs for covered services beyond $141.50 per day.  The number of days that Medicare covers care is measured in benefit periods.  A benefit period begins on the first day you receive services as a patient in a skilled facility and ends after you have been out of a skilled facility and have not received skilled care in any other facility for 60 days in a row.  There is no limit to the number of benefit periods you can have*.  “Part B” helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care and various medical services.  You must pay a premium for “Part B” if you want it.  If you have questions regarding your Medicare eligibility, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
*Certain medical conditions, such as a feeding tube may prohibit a person from receiving additional benefit periods.  Please see your Admissions Director or Accounts Receivable Coordinator for additional information.

The Importance of Medicaid
Medicaid is a Federal program which is administered by each state.  In determining eligibility, the total gross income of an individual is considered.  This includes Social Security benefits, any pensions, retirement, interest, dividends, etc.  If the applicant is living with or has a living spouse, this is also a factor.  Countable assets do include any real property other than the home, saving and checking accounts, investments such as certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, mortgages and promissory notes, life insurance, inherited property and jointly owned assets.  An asset counts against the Medicaid limit if the applicant has legal ownership and the legal right to sell the asset, even if the person does not have physical access to it, or if there is no market for it.  In addition to the total gross monthly limit allowed (which can change annually corresponding to the cost of living adjustment in Social Security benefits), an individual is allowed certain amounts to pay for funeral expenses and cemetery lots.  For additional Medicaid information, you may contact the Medicaid office for the county you reside in.

How Medicaid Works
If an individual is using Medicaid assistance in the community, it is considered SSI or Supplemental Security Income administered by Social Security.  However, even if a person is already on Medicaid at home, a new Medicaid application must be completed for Medical Treatment Facility assistance in order for Medicaid to be billed for nursing home care.  If approved for Medicaid, a resident’s monthly liability/income is due to the facility.  $50 of that income will be set aside each month for the resident’s personal use.  Beneficiaries, responsible residents or family representatives must pay the resident’s income/liability to the facility in order for Medicaid to apply.  Not providing the resident’s income/liability to the facility (minus $50) can result in Medicaid denying payment for nursing home care.  If you have questions regarding Medicaid or the application process or need to set up an interview appointment, you can see your A.G. Rhodes Accounts Receivable Coordinator.

How We Bill for Services Rendered
In order for us to bill properly, it is necessary for us to have a copy of any and all social security and insurance cards and information.  Other items needed would be copies of any advance directives and emergency contacts.  Please plan to bring this information on the day of admission to our facility.

We hope that this information has served the purpose in helping to understand the many steps involved with paying for long term and sub-acute care.  If you have any financial questions, please see speak with your Accounts Receivable Coordinator.

Paying for Nursing Home Care
Approximately 40% of all people who turn 65 will receive care in a nursing home at some point.  Because nursing homes provide 24-hour care, including all nursing services*, room* and board, special diets* and daily care, quality nursing home care can be expensive. (*denotes services individualized for each resident). Most people use a combination of sources to pay for nursing home care.  Many people end up using personal resources such as their savings, monthly retirement income, home equity, etc.  Medicare is the federal government’s medical insurance program for people age 65 or older (and for people who are disabled).  Medicaid is a medical assistance program for people in financial need.  Medicaid is set up by federal law and run by each state. 

Private Pay Room and Board Rates
Updated November 2009

Atlanta Room Rates

Cobb Room Rates

Wesley Woods Room Rates