Health Care for Seniors
Know Your Rights
Apple Health (Medicaid): If You Disagree with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan or Have a Complaint
Your rights and things you can do if you have any issues with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan. #5113EN
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Rules for Nursing Homes
Questions and answers about how COVID-19 has affected nursing home and long-term care facilities in Washington state. #5204EN
Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State
The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN
Health Care Directive (or Living Will)
A Health Care Directive (also called a Living Will) lets you state what kind of medical treatments you do or do not wish to have if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot make decisions for yourself. It also lets you write down your health care values. You can fill out your Health Care Directive here on Washington Forms Online, or download a printable packet. #9607EN
Living with Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive
This first-of-its-kind advance planning document allows people coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to document their wishes about the inevitable challenges related to living with these illnesses. Even if this directive is not legal where you live, you can still use it to document your wishes and provide a guide for your family, health care providers, long-term care providers, and others.
Mental Health Advance Directive
This is an important legal document. It creates an advance directive for mental health treatment. Before signing this document you should know some important facts.
My long-term care facility wants to discharge me.
Read this to learn what your rights are when the long-term care facility you are living in doesn't want you to live there anymore. #5602EN
Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports
People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN
Questions and Answers on the COPES Program
COPES is a program that pays for personal care and other services for people in their own homes. COPES also pays for care in adult family homes, adult residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. It is designed to help people who, without COPES, would need to be in nursing homes. #5102EN
Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State
The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN
Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports
People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN
Questions and Answers on the Community First Choice Program
CFC is a Medicaid program offering personal care and other services. The program was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under 1915(k) of the Social Security Act and is administered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). #5103EN
Questions and Answers on the COPES Program
COPES is a program that pays for personal care and other services for people in their own homes. COPES also pays for care in adult family homes, adult residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. It is designed to help people who, without COPES, would need to be in nursing homes. #5102EN
Questions and Answers on the Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA) and Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) Programs
TSOA and MAC are Medicaid programs. TSOA and MAC provide free services to unpaid caregivers who are taking care of family members who are at least 55 years old. #5171EN
Understanding Your CARE Tool Assessment
This explains how to read the Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation (CARE) document called Assessment Details. If you have not had an assessment yet this booklet will give you an idea about what to expect. During your assessment a case manager asks you questions about the help you need. That information is used to determine what services you can receive. This includes personal care hours and nursing services. #5420EN
Health Care Directive (or Living Will)
A Health Care Directive (also called a Living Will) lets you state what kind of medical treatments you do or do not wish to have if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot make decisions for yourself. It also lets you write down your health care values. You can fill out your Health Care Directive here on Washington Forms Online, or download a printable packet. #9607EN
Living with Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive
This first-of-its-kind advance planning document allows people coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to document their wishes about the inevitable challenges related to living with these illnesses. Even if this directive is not legal where you live, you can still use it to document your wishes and provide a guide for your family, health care providers, long-term care providers, and others.
Mental Health Advance Directive
This is an important legal document. It creates an advance directive for mental health treatment. Before signing this document you should know some important facts.
Apple Health Managed Care (Medicaid): The Basics
Apple Health Managed Care is the part of Washington State’s Medicaid program where the state contracts with managed care health plans (“plans”) to manage and pay for most health services. #5111EN
Apple Health (Medicaid): If You Disagree with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan or Have a Complaint
Your rights and things you can do if you have any issues with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan. #5113EN
Billing and Medicaid (Apple Health)
Questions and answers about billing for services Medicaid covers. Read this if your medical provider didn't bill Medicaid for services when you think it should have. Includes sample letters you can use to try to resolve the situation. #5112EN
The Medically Needy "Spenddown" Program: Medicaid for Adults 65 and Older or Disabled Who Don't Get SSI
The Medically-Needy (MN) program helps pay medical expenses for certain people who are 65 or older, and for certain younger disabled people. It is a program for people who do not get Medicaid coverage that comes with a cash grant from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), General Assistance, or another public assistance program. #5104EN
Accessing Information on Medicare Benefits for LGBT People
The ever-evolving legal rights and Medicare benefits that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and married couples can be challenging to follow. This resource document provides links to organizations providing relevant information.
Medicare and Hospital Discharges
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, this publication explains your rights and processes when the hospital decides it is time to discharge you. Publication #5212EN
Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying For Medicare Costs
If you’re on Medicare, you may qualify for help with Medicare premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing. There are four programs that can help. #5210EN
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Rules for Nursing Homes
Questions and answers about how COVID-19 has affected nursing home and long-term care facilities in Washington state. #5204EN
Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State
The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN
My long-term care facility wants to discharge me.
Read this to learn what your rights are when the long-term care facility you are living in doesn't want you to live there anymore. #5602EN
Questions and Answers on Medicaid for Nursing Home Residents
Medicaid is a government program that pays for medical services including nursing home care. It is administered by DSHS -- the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. To receive Medicaid payment for nursing home care, you must meet the financial eligibility requirements described in this publication. Also, you must need the care provided in a nursing home. #5170EN
Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports
People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN