2026 Nursing Home Cost Guide · OR
Nursing Home Cost in Oregon
Nursing homes in Oregon average $9,200/month for semi-private rooms and $11,000/month for private rooms in 2026. Oregon Medicaid covers skilled nursing home care for eligible seniors. Compare costs, understand Medicaid eligibility, and find quality nursing homes near you.
Semi-Private Avg
$9,200
Private Room Avg
$11,000
vs. National Avg
15% above
Medicaid Covers NH
Yes
Oregon Nursing Home Cost Breakdown
| Room Type / Care Level | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Semi-private room (shared) | $9,200/mo |
| Private room | $11,000/mo |
| Private room + enhanced care (bariatric, ventilator) | $13,200/mo |
| Short-term rehabilitation (first 20 days — Medicare) Covered 100% by Medicare (days 1–20 after qualifying hospital stay) | — |
| Short-term rehab (days 21–100 — Medicare co-pay) $194/day co-pay (2025); Medicare supplement may cover | $194/day |
| Long-term care (private pay, no Medicare) | $11,000/mo |
Estimates based on 2026 statewide averages. Actual rates vary by facility, location, and care needs.
What Nursing Home Costs Cover
Always included
- Room and board (semi-private or private)
- 3 meals/day + snacks and therapeutic diets
- 24/7 licensed nursing staff (RN, LPN, CNA)
- Medication management and administration
- Physician oversight and care coordination
- Basic personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting)
- Housekeeping, laundry, and linens
- Social services and discharge planning
Usually extra or billed separately
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy (may bill Medicare Part A/B)
- Dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses
- Private-duty nursing or personal companion
- Barber/beauty salon services
- Telephone, cable TV, personal items
- Specialized therapies (music, pet, art)
- Ambulance transportation
- Non-formulary medications
Oregon Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Homes
Oregon Medicaid covers skilled nursing home care for eligible seniors. Oregon also has the K-Plan — one of the most comprehensive state Medicaid AL programs in the US — which can sometimes prevent or delay nursing home placement. Income limit: 300% SSI (~$2,829/month); asset limit: $2,000. Oregon has ~140 licensed nursing homes.
How nursing home Medicaid works:
- Meet financial eligibility: income and asset limits (see above)
- Meet level of care: assessed as needing nursing home-level care by state evaluator
- Choose a Medicaid-certified nursing home with available Medicaid beds
- Resident pays most monthly income toward care (keeping a small personal needs allowance)
- Medicaid pays the remainder of the nursing home bill
What Drives Nursing Home Costs in Oregon
- Portland metro nursing home costs are among the highest in the Pacific Northwest
- Oregon's higher minimum wage significantly increases staffing costs
- Limited supply (~140 nursing homes statewide) can create bed availability challenges
- Oregon's K-Plan Medicaid AL coverage can reduce nursing home demand for some seniors
Veterans Benefits for Nursing Home Care in Oregon
- VA Community Living Centers (CLCs): VA-operated nursing homes — free or low-cost for service-connected veterans
- Oregon State Veterans Homes: subsidized skilled nursing for qualifying veterans
- VA Aid & Attendance pension: up to $2,830/month for qualifying veterans to offset private-pay costs
- Community Nursing Home Program: VA pays for private nursing home care for eligible veterans
How to Choose a Nursing Home in Oregon
Check Medicare's 5-star ratings
Medicare Care Compare (medicare.gov/care-compare) rates every nursing home on overall quality, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Aim for 4–5 stars.
Review recent inspection reports
Oregon's health department publishes all inspection citations. Look for 'immediate jeopardy' citations (J-L severity) in the last 3 years — these indicate life-threatening violations.
Verify Medicaid bed availability
If you need Medicaid funding, confirm the facility has Medicaid-certified beds available — not all nursing homes accept Medicaid or may have waitlists for Medicaid beds.
Check staffing levels
Medicare publishes weekly staffing hours per resident day (NHPPD). Look for facilities above the national average (3.8 NHPPD total nursing). High turnover is a red flag.
Tour and ask key questions
Visit at different times (morning and evening). Ask: What's your staff turnover rate? How do you handle resident falls? What's your infection control record? How are families kept informed?
Consult a discharge planner or elder law attorney
Hospital discharge planners know local nursing home quality firsthand. An elder law attorney can advise on Medicaid spend-down planning and protecting a spouse's assets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Oregon Nursing Home Costs
Does Oregon Medicaid pay for nursing homes?▾
Yes. Oregon Medicaid covers skilled nursing home care. Income limit: 300% SSI (~$2,829/month); asset limit: $2,000. Oregon's K-Plan Medicaid also covers assisted living room and board — one of the few states that does this. Apply through Oregon DHS at 503-945-9941.
How much does a nursing home cost in Oregon?▾
Oregon nursing home costs average $9,200/month for semi-private rooms and $11,000/month for private rooms. Portland metro averages $10,000–$13,000. Eugene averages $8,500–$11,000. Bend averages $9,000–$12,000. Medford and southern Oregon average $8,000–$10,500.
Is Oregon's nursing home bed supply limited?▾
Oregon has approximately 140 licensed nursing homes statewide — fewer per capita than most states. This can make nursing home bed availability challenging in some areas. Oregon's comprehensive K-Plan Medicaid AL coverage has reduced nursing home demand for some seniors, keeping overall bed counts lower than states without similar AL Medicaid programs.
Find verified senior care communities
Browse our directory of 2,000+ assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities — each with AllyKin Safety Scores, CMS inspection data, and state licensing records.
Browse all communities →Compare nursing home costs across all states:
← Back to All Nursing Home Costs