Why the NHS Doesn’t Cover Care Fees

Many people in the UK believe that the NHS will cover all aspects of their healthcare as they grow older, including care home fees. However, the reality is that the NHS does not cover most long-term care costs. This can be a significant financial burden for families who suddenly find themselves responsible for paying hefty care home fees. In this article, we’ll explore why the NHS doesn’t cover care, the hidden costs of care homes, and how you can protect your home and assets from these fees.

Why the NHS Doesn’t Cover Care

The NHS provides free healthcare services for medical needs, but long-term care is considered social care, which includes assistance with daily living activities such as washing, dressing, and eating. Social care falls under the responsibility of local councils, and it is means-tested, meaning that only those with very limited financial resources will qualify for help.

The NHS will cover care costs for people with complex medical needs through NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), but this is only granted in very specific cases where the primary need is medical. The strict criteria leave many people—especially the elderly who need personal and social care—having to self-fund their care costs. The NHS only covers a very small portion of long-term care needs, mainly focusing on medical treatments rather than day-to-day living assistance.

The Hidden Costs of Care Homes

For many families, the costs of care homes come as a shock. The hidden costs of care homes can include everything from daily living expenses to personal care services that go beyond what the NHS offers. While some may receive partial support through local councils, many end up paying substantial amounts out of pocket.

According to recent statistics, the average care home costs in the UK range from £35,000 to £50,000 per year, and for nursing care homes, this cost can be even higher. Families that are unprepared for these expenses can quickly see their life savings depleted, or worse, face the need to sell their home to cover the fees.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of care home fees is that even those with moderate assets can be forced to self-fund their care. In England, if you have savings or assets (including property) over £23,250, you are required to pay for your own care. This can put significant financial strain on individuals and their families, especially when the costs of care extend over many years.

Protecting Your Home from Care Fees

Given the rising costs of care, it’s essential to consider how you can protect your assets, particularly your family home. There are legal strategies, such as setting up a trust or changing your home ownership status to tenants in common, that can protect a portion of your property from being used to pay for care fees.

Estate planning tools like these can help ensure that your home and assets are safeguarded for your family, rather than being consumed by care home costs. If you’re concerned about how to protect your home from care fees, it’s important to seek professional advice.

For more information about NHS Continuing Healthcare, you can visit the NHS website.

Take Action to Protect Your Home

If you’re worried about the hidden costs of care homes and want to ensure your home is protected, get in touch with us today. Request a free consultation to discuss how you can protect your assets and safeguard your family’s future. Simply fill out our contact form, and one of our estate planning specialists will give you a call.