Prior to her Alzheimer's diagnosis, my mother and I agreed it was time to move her to a senior community. I believe in some situations, if a senior community is recommended by a doctor, it can be covered by health insurance. Is this true? And would my mother still be eligible even though we were being proactive by moving her to a senior community before the diagnosis?
The only time I am aware that Medicare covers room and board is in hospital and a rehabilitation facility, those have limited days of coverage before you go to self pay.
I have never read anything that even indicates they will pay for someone's apartment or room, it's HEALTH insurance.
A doctor doesn't "prescribe" Assisted Living or Memory Care. They can assess someone for requiring Long Term Care in a facility. This is a criteria when applying for Medicaid. Then one's SS income covers the custodial care. For Medicaid, a person has to qualify both medically and financially. It varies by state.
And of course diagnosis is a requirement for entry into any facility. There will be exams to ascertain health, abilities, safety issues, general mental and physical health and requirements, and etc. You make some statements about "prior to her Alzheimer's diagnosis" and then "we are being proactive by moving her prior to diagnosis". This is confusing. Has she, or has she not been diagnosed as having Alzheimer's. In order to be safe in ALF rather than Memory Care she would require a thorough workup.
It isn't fair either to her or to other residents in care to have unsafe placement.
Wishing you good luck.