Idaho
Idaho ranked 12th in America’s Health Rankings, which is a compilation of reports by the United Health Foundation, in terms of overall health factors. The state scored well in minimizing the incidence of smoking and preventable hospitalizations among residents. Within the last ten years, Idaho saw a drop of cardiovascular disease-related deaths from 293.6 to 228.7 fatalities per 100,000 people.
Obesity and physical inactivity, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, are found in 300,000 and 230,000 Idaho adults, respectively. The state’s Department of Health and Welfare adds that 8.5% of adults were diagnosed with diabetes in 2012. A year earlier, that figure for diabetes was even higher at 9.4%. The 2011 data also indicates that 23.1% of all Idaho adults had arthritis. In fact, 51% or one in two senior citizens developed this chronic condition of the joints.
The Department of Health and Welfare in Idaho also notes that 19.3% of resident adults lack insurance coverage for health in 2012, compared to 22.1% in 2011.
Cost of Care
Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Idaho.
| City | Nursing Facility1 | Assisted Living1 | Adult Day Care2 | Home Health Aide3 |
| Boise | $268 | $113 | $138 | $120 |
Notes:
*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.
Insurance Options
LTC Captivate, which is John Hancock’s long-term care insurance sales system that uses information technology, became operational in Idaho and 35 other states on May 20, 2013.
Individuals and certain associations can benefit from coverage found in TransCare III, an LTCI product by Transamerica. Aside from a $500 maximum daily benefit and a 365-day waiting period, TransCare III also has a couples discount with a 30% increase. It comes with riders and a waiver that can help clients in one way or another. Transamerica introduced this policy to Idaho’s LTCI market on September 10, 2013.
Mutual of Omaha’s MutualCare Solutions achieved Partnership status in Idaho on October 27, 2013. The Long Term Care Partnership Program took effect in the state on November 1, 2006. In Idaho, the Compound Lifetime and Compound Lifetime Buy-Up options in MutualCare Solutions are available at 5%.
Individuals can also purchase LTCI policies from Assurity Life, Country Life, Equitable Life, Genworth, Great American Life, Massachusetts Mutual, MedAmerica, and Physicians Mutual.
State Long-Term Care Programs
Senior citizens and younger individuals with disabilities can choose among Medicare Part A, Part, B, Part C, and Part D depending on health condition. Financial support for services in skilled nursing facilities and home health settings fall under Part A, while Part B covers other services like therapy. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage Plans, is supervised by private care providers and involves all Part A and Part B Benefits. Part D makes prescribed drugs more affordable to clients.
Some services that the Medicaid program pays for include home health care, prescribed medications, medical equipment, laboratory tests, and even custodial care. Idaho has a ‘supported’ state-based Marketplace. In this system, both the federally-facilitated Marketplace and state Medicaid agency manage the application for coverage. Idaho did not proceed with expanding Medicaid coverage for 2014.
Like other states, Idaho has a State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and other Dementias. This plan boosts public awareness about dementia, improves training, and coordinates memory care support services.
More Resources
To get more specific information regarding long-term care services and insurance options in Idaho, please check the following websites:
Department of Health and Welfare
Gives a list of resource links regarding disabilities.
Offers a variety of information about LTC facilities and some conditions that need this kind of care.
Provides some links about aging and disability services, along with a list of senior meal sites.
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