Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Senior Day Center in Utah?

By Julie Smith · Founder & Executive Director, Brighter Days Senior Day Center · About Julie

One of the first questions families ask when exploring senior day center is: “How do we pay for this?” The good news is that Utah has several funding options that can make senior day center affordable — or even free — for qualifying families.

Does Medicare Cover Senior Day Center?

No. Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover senior day center services. Medicare is designed for acute medical care, not ongoing supervisory or social day center programs. Medicare Advantage plans vary — some include limited adult day benefits, so it’s worth checking your specific plan.

Does Medicaid Cover Senior Day Center in Utah?

Yes — through Utah’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs. Utah operates several Medicaid waivers that cover Adult Day Health Services:

1. Aging Waiver

For individuals age 65+ who require nursing facility level of care but choose to remain in the community. Adult Day Health is a covered benefit. Operated through the Division of Aging and Adult Services and local Area Agencies on Aging.

2. New Choices Waiver

For elderly or disabled individuals transitioning out of institutional settings. Covers senior day center as a community-based support.

3. Physical Disabilities Waiver

For individuals ages 18–64 with physical disabilities requiring nursing facility level of care. Senior day center is a covered service.

How to Apply for Medicaid Waiver in Utah

1. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging. For Utah County: Mountainland Association of Governments, which administers aging services for the region.
2. Request a needs assessment — a caseworker will evaluate your loved one’s level of care needs.
3. If approved, a service plan is created that may include senior day center at a licensed provider like Brighter Days.

What If My Family Doesn’t Qualify for Medicaid?

Brighter Days is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means we can offer options unavailable to for-profit centers:

• Sliding-scale private pay — daily rates of $60–$85, reduced for qualifying lower-income families
• Mountainland Aging Services grants — may subsidize costs for eligible Utah County residents
• Community foundation grants — we actively apply for funding to keep rates accessible
• Tax-deductible donations — community support helps us serve families who need it most

Questions About Cost?

We believe cost should never be the reason a family can’t access quality care. Call us at 973.868.5251 and we’ll walk through your specific situation — including which funding options you may qualify for.

Sources & Further Reading

• Utah Medicaid Long-Term Care
• Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services
• What Medicare Part A Covers — Medicare.gov
• Mountainland Association of Governments — Aging Services