BHHM Articles

Covering the Cost of Healthcare, Part 2

Covering the Cost of Healthcare, Part 2

The costs of long-term care can be staggering for the unprepared. In Missouri, the average cost of skilled nursing care is $311 per day. Assisted living rates average $181 per day. While home care is a preferred option for many, the availability and cost of home care are frequently a barrier. There may come a time when one needs the comfort and assurance that comes with licensed care.

In last month’s column, I shared that Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term care. These expenses must be covered by one’s assets or long-term care insurance (which is carried by less than 4% of seniors). So, what happens when one’s finances are exhausted? Medicaid may be an option.

Missouri residents may qualify for long-term care through Medicaid, but only after most personal funds are exhausted. To qualify, seniors must be 65 or older, be a resident of Missouri, and have assets under $5,909.25. All forms of income must be used toward long-term care, and there is a five-year lookback to ensure that assets have not been diverted. The good news is that Medicaid will cover the “remainder” of Medicaid-certified communities.

Baptist Homes accepts Medicaid at our Adrian, Arcadia Valley, and Vandalia campuses, as well as our Shelbina location, which is currently operated by a consulting agreement.  Medicaid can help with assisted living at Arcadia Valley and Ozark, and with residential care at Vandalia.

Planning is important. Early planning gives you more say over where your resources will go as you age. Preparing for the unexpected will ensure your church, family, and charitable interests are maintained. For more information or to set up a consultation with one of our planning experts, contact Dr. Ron Mackey at rdmackey@bhhm.org.

Dr. Rodney Harrison, BHHM President

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story part 4

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story Part 4

Early in Dr. Harrison’s tenure, The Baptist Home went through a strategic planning process to explore how to position The Home for future sustainability. This process involved professional consultants, trustees, executive staff, campus personnel, pastors, and MBC leadership. In all, over 60 people participated in the strategic planning process. For our purposes, we will explore two of the decisions from the planning process.

The strategic planning process identified, among other important issues, the need to reduce the cost of benevolent care and reposition The Home to a more stable source of revenue.  For the preceding 20 years, The Baptist Home had lost census and thus had revenues that did not cover expenses.

The effort to reduce benevolent costs led to an unforeseen issue. Most of those desiring to live at The Baptist Home did not have the personal resources to cover the cost of their care. Bringing in more residents who only added to the benevolent cost of the ministry would be unsustainable. So, how do we move forward?

A Benevolent Task Force was established to investigate the total impact of benevolence on our ministry. The Benevolent Task Force was comprised of trustees, an executive staff member, an administrator, and several campus staff members. This task force was given the following responsibilities:

1. Set benevolence as a part of the overall budget – 10%.
2. Track benevolence donations dedicated to the spiritual life of the campuses.
3. Eliminate benevolence for assisted living.
4. Benevolent ICF residents should be moved to a BHHM CMS-approved campus.
5. Develop a Benevolence Committee.

After much prayer and research, Baptist Homes decided to enter the world of Medicare and Medicaid services.  Gaining approval to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid services has required a multifaceted approach and the stubbornness of a Missouri mule!

First, acquiring existing Medicare/Medicaid-approved homes would move us into that world very quickly, but at what cost? Second, we learned that none of our legacy campuses (Arcadia Valley, Chillicothe, and Ozark) could be approved in their existing physical condition, since they all had shared bathrooms and current Medicare/Medicaid regulations require private bathrooms.

At some point in the future, we should share this story in greater detail, but for our purposes in this article, I will provide the condensed version. Acquiring existing Medicare/Medicaid campuses could have been a very expensive process were it not for the most difficult healthcare crisis of our era. COVID-19 led to the collapse of hundreds of long-term care facilities across the state of Missouri. We were able to purchase four homes—Smithville, Adrian, and Tri-County—for less than a million dollars. After remodeling and refreshing, these homes added over 200 Medicare/Medicaid-approved licenses to our network.

Additionally, through the stubbornness of our administrator at the Arcadia Valley campus, Dan Stiles, we found a way to be approved for Medicaid at that campus. This process has helped us to understand how to gain that approval for all of our campuses.

In our next issue, we will explore the complicated but necessary road of accepting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and a new day and broader ministry opportunity.

Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

Stewardship As We Age: A Journey of Generosity

A Journey of Generosity

In Matthew 2, the Magi are inspired to follow a star. Their journey leads them to a newborn baby who is to be King of the Jews. The journey ends in Bethlehem where they find Jesus. And what do they do when they find him? They are taken to their knees in worship. And as a joyful expression of their worship, they generously present Jesus with gifts.

Unfortunately, we have allowed Christmas to focus on the consumption of gifts rather than the practice of generosity. How can we make Christmas a deeper worshipful experience and the beginning of a lifelong journey of generosity?

Don’t be consumed by consumerism.  A friend told me recently with tongue in cheek, “You know it’s Halloween when they start displaying Christmas stuff at Walmart.”  It is the lure of hyper-consumerism that drives Christmas today. Guard against allowing the celebration of Christmas to be a frenzied activity of buying things. Make a commitment to celebrate Christmas with a refreshing spirit of generosity.

Grow in the grace of giving. I remember a mission trip I led as a youth minister. Our teens were challenged and inspired by the need of those they were serving. One boy felt God leading him to give a monetary gift to help them. He shared this with some friends, who made the decision to join him in giving their own gifts. From there, they challenged the entire youth group to join them even if it meant sacrificing “fun money”. The youth group gave nearly $1000. In 2 Corinthians 8, the apostle Paul writes, “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving … “. Make this Christmas season an opportunity to grow in the grace of giving.

Learn from those who practice generosity. If you do not know where to begin in the journey of generosity, take time to learn from those who practice generosity—not just as a seasonal venture, but as a consistent spiritual discipline. In becoming a generous person, your actions will teach others to live a life of generosity.

The wisdom of Proverbs 18:16 says, “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.” May your journey of generosity bring you to your knees in worship this Christmas season and beyond, to give and receive the generous love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate again.

Nick Davis, Director of Advancement

December Neighbor Spotlight: Betty Abington

Betty Abbington: A Life of Faith, Family, and Perseverance

Betty Abbington was born at her home in Vandalia, Missouri, where she began a life rooted in faith, family, and perseverance. At just 15 years old, Betty accepted Jesus into her life, a moment that has guided her throughout the years.
On June 25, 1950, she married Raymond Abbington, and together they built a life filled with love and memories. The couple shared nearly 65 years of marriage, a milestone they were just shy of celebrating before Raymond’s passing. Betty and Raymond were blessed with three children, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, each bringing joy and pride to their lives.
Betty’s career as a waitress was a testament to her hardworking spirit, with her final role being at the Dairy Queen in Vandalia. Her life has also been marked by a sense of adventure. One of her most memorable experiences was the year and a half she spent in California with her husband while he served in the Army—a cherished chapter in her story.
Betty has always had a deep love for horses, fishing, and her beloved kitty cats. Even at the age of 93, she continues to amaze those around her, still driving and managing her daily life with independence. “I always took care of myself and believed in the Lord,” Betty shares, crediting her strength and self-reliance to her faith.
Her vibrant spirit and enduring faith inspire those who know her, making Betty Abbington a treasured part of the Baptist Homes community.

November Neighbor Spotlight: Virgie Dodd

Virgie Dodd: Guided By God’s Grace

Virgie was born on September 23, 1929, in a country home to Arthur and Violet Dildine.  She was the seventh child born into a family of eight children.  Her mother, Violet, lost her first two children at birth.  They all lived down in a holler, and the house was up on stilts.  The family was poor and didn’t have a lot, but God was good to them.  At that time, they did not know the Lord, but Virgie looks back and gives Him the glory for taking care of them. At one point, there was a fire in the woods nearby, but it did not take their home, and no one was hurt.  This was another of God’s blessings.

Virgie completed school through the eighth grade at Charles School in St. Louis on Gravois.  At the age of 19, Virgie came to know the Lord at a church service at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. It was around Easter, and she said the Romans Road scripture touched her and led her to the Lord.

At the age of 21, Virgie met Charles Dodd at church.  They became acquainted and married on March 28^th, 1952.  The wedding was at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, and Rev. Dr. Ralph Couch did the service. Virgie was 22 years old when they married.

All through her life, Virgie has tried to do God’s work by sharing His Word.  After marrying, she stayed at home as Charles wanted, while he worked at National Venders in Bridgeton, MO.   She helped with many things at church throughout her younger years.  Charles and Virgie made poppies for the veterans and did janitor work at the church when no one was available to do it. Virgie and Charles never had children of their own, but they took in Charles’ nephew at the age of eleven and got him through high school.  Virgie still has many children she calls hers everywhere she goes.  She feels God has put them all in her life to fill the void of not having her own.

Virgie came to live at The Baptist Home in 2013, with her husband, who has since gone on to be with the Lord. She misses him greatly but knows she will see him in heaven.  She and Charles knew people here at Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley, and felt this was the place for them. Virgie feels content living here and believes this is where the Lord wants her “until the Lord calls her home”. The Baptist Home is a real home, not just a nursing home.  Virgie calls it a “family home”.  She says, “All our needs are met, and we have so many blessings daily of wonderful food, care and fellowship.”  Virgie touches so many lives with her love and faithfulness. She still is very active and enjoys helping in any way needed daily. She prays with others and always encourages them. Baptist Homes is grateful to have her as a resident in our care.

Covering the Cost of Healthcare

Covering the Cost of Healthcare, Part 1

Since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law in 1965, Americans over 65 have enjoyed additional healthcare security through this income-based tax. In 2023, 56 million seniors over 65 participated in Medicare. In 2021, Baptist Homes opened our first Medicare-approved facility. Since that time, we have added Medicare to three campuses, with more on the horizon.

The Baptist Home can help churches prepare their members for their healthcare planning. Preparation for retirement and beyond means avoiding surprises. Many Baby Boomers expect Medicare to cover every healthcare need upon retirement. Here are some key take-homes when it comes to Medicare.

Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care. The only exception is that Medicare may cover from 20-100 days of skilled nursing after a qualifying hospital stay.

Medicare is not free. Medicare is currently split into four parts:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, short-term rehab care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and parts of home health care.
• Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive care.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage) allows one to choose Medicare Advantage over traditional Medicare through a private insurance company.
• Part D is prescription drug coverage that also covers recommended vaccines.

While there is no standard premium for Part A, Part B costs $174.70 per month or more depending on the income of the previous year. Part C ranges from 0-$300 per month, whereas the premium of Part D depends on the individual plan.

Baptist Homes has team members who can speak to senior ministries and Sunday School classes about healthcare during the retirement years. To arrange a free consultation or seminar, contact Dr. Ron Mackey at rdmackey@bhhm.org.

Next month I will provide a short overview of where Medicaid fits into the healthcare equation. Until then, thank you for your prayers for this ministry.

End of Year Tax Strategy

End-of-Year Tax Strategy: 70 Percent NAP Credits Support BHHM and You!

How would you like to support Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries (BHHM) and get big tax benefits? BHHM has 70 percent Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits available. These tax credits are worth 70 percent of your gift, in addition to standard state and federal deductions. How does it work?

BHHM has been approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (MODED) to issue $350,000 worth of Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to assist in the funding of renovations at the Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley campus in Ironton, MO.

NAP tax credits offset an eligible donor’s state income tax liability. The credit may be used against taxes owed for the year of the donation plus five additional tax periods. As a simple illustration, a $5,000 donation will earn a $3,500 state tax credit.

The Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Act makes this credit available to any person, firm, or corporation with business income in the State of Missouri. Any qualified person, firm, or corporation in business in Missouri is eligible to receive credits, including individuals who operate a sole proprietorship, operate a farm, have rental property, or have royalty income, as well as those who are a shareholder in an S-corporation, a partner in a Partnership, or a member of a Limited Liability Corporation.

As you make end-of-the-year tax strategies, this may be an opportunity for you to bless the work of our ministry and receive some tax relief. Tax credits are limited, so please contact Nick Davis (ndavis@bhhm.org) or Ron Mackey (rdmackey@bhhm.org) today!

Baptist Homes Benevolence History: A Complicated Story Part 3

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story: Part 3

In this third article exploring the benevolent history of Baptist Homes, we will explore the issues that made a change in our use and understanding of benevolence necessary for ministry viability and sustainability.

By way of reminder, costs per benevolent resident in 1995 were 23% of the total cost of care. By 2022, that cost had ballooned to 77% of the total cost of care, with no end of that increase in sight. What were the issues that led to such a ballooning of benevolent costs? Why weren’t efforts to reign in the skyrocketing cost of benevolence successful? The efforts to control the total cost of benevolent care per resident and benevolence in total were unsuccessful for many reasons.

First, rising medical care costs in the American healthcare system impacted all long-term care organizations. The fact that Baptist Homes was not participating in Medicare/Medicaid meant those rising costs were shouldered by the ministry alone.

Second, the average age of seniors entering long-term care was increasing significantly. Today, the average age of a resident upon admission to Baptist Homes is 87. By this age, many residents have already liquidated much of their asset base. Today, very few residents enjoy the security of a retirement pension with built-in annual increases. Most only have Social Security or a small 401k or IRA, which is still invested and vulnerable to the vagaries of the investment markets.

Third, the legal issues for The Baptist Home in the lawsuit with the Missouri Baptist Convention used up significant reserve assets for legal fees and separated the Home from the vast majority of MBC-affiliated Baptist Churches. Over the years I have heard from a vast number of churches and church leaders, “we will once again support Baptist Homes when the lawsuit is settled.” The settlement of the lawsuit took an astonishing 17 years.

Fourth, the Great Recession of 2007 – 2011 led to a reduction in the market value of the Baptist Homes reserves of nearly 35%. This, at a time when our aging buildings were incurring more and more deferred maintenance issues, churches were likewise impacted and unable to support our ministry, and potential residents’ retirement incomes were decreasing as well.

Fifth, there was a planned reduction in the number of licensed beds (read: lowered census) at the Arcadia Valley campus to reduce expenses, coupled with the fact that our waiting list at every campus was populated by a significant number of new residents who would need financial assistance for their care from day one.

Every effort to control and reduce growing benevolent costs was unsuccessful. Benevolent costs in the first decade of the 21^st century represented a new record high each year while we were providing care for fewer residents. In addition, potential residents were waiting longer to move from their homes with fewer assets, and more and more seniors were by planning or default becoming increasingly dependent upon Medicare and Medicaid as the payor source for their long-term care.

Today 84% of seniors utilize Medicare and Medicaid to cover the cost of their long-term care. Wait! Go back and read that sentence again and ask yourself, what are YOUR plans to pay for the cost of you and your family’s potential long-term care costs?

In 2019, the 17-year lawsuit between The Baptist Home and the Missouri Baptist Convention was settled, with the MBC prevailing. As a result, the MBC began appointing trustees for the Home. That same year, Steve Jones, sixth President of The Baptist Home, announced his retirement. The MBC then appointed Dr. Rodney Harrison as the Transitional President of The Baptist Home. As a part of his transitional duties, he was tasked with exploring the future viability of the ministry. It was his conclusion that without major shifts in how The Baptist Home was funded and how the ministry sought out new residents, the ministry of The Home was no longer viable. In fact, his conclusion was that without significant change, The Home would likely cease to exist within a decade.

Next, an exploration of solutions in the midst of the greatest health pandemic in the modern age…

November Employee Spotlight: Melanie Carr

Melanie Carr: Serving with Kindness & Team Spirit

Melanie Carr has been a valued member of the Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries family for just over a year, serving as a dedicated charge nurse on the day shift. In her role, Melanie is known for her genuine care and compassion for the residents—a part of her job she finds deeply fulfilling. For Melanie, caring for others is not just a responsibility but a passion, and her commitment shines in every interaction.

Melanie’s love of family is just as strong as her love for her work. Married and proud of her close-knit family, she has three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who fill her life with joy. When she’s not at work, Melanie can often be found cheering on her favorite sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Mizzou football, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Baptist Homes is truly grateful to have Melanie as part of our team. She brings compassion, kindness, and a steady presence to our community every day.

 

October Neighbor Spotlight: Bessie Hume

Bessie Hume: With Faith, The Sky’s the Limit

Bessie Hume was born on August 30, 1929, in Phelps County, Missouri, and recently celebrated her 95th birthday. She shares a special bond with her older twin sister, Betty, who lives in North Carolina. For their milestone birthday, Betty visited Bessie, and together they reminisced about the childhood days they spent squirrel hunting and fishing with their father. Raised in a Christian home, Bessie’s faith has been a guiding presence throughout her life.

During her time at Rolla High School, Bessie met Harold, the love of her life. They married right after graduation, and shortly after, Harold served in the Navy before attending Southern Missouri State University. The couple had one son, Kevin, who now lives in Milwaukee.

Bessie’s love for the outdoors continued throughout her life, as she enjoyed hiking and hunting—hobbies she never gave up. Bessie worked as the secretary to the president of the University of Missouri, while Harold was the budget director at the same institution.

In her retirement, Bessie pursued a unique passion—earning her pilot’s license to take short trips. Although Harold wasn’t a fan of flying, he encouraged Bessie’s adventurous spirit, knowing it was something she truly wanted to do.

These days, Bessie enjoys simpler pleasures, like searching for the daily newspaper. She often reflects on how her father loved his radio and Saturday paper, and with a smile, she says, “I must take after him.” Bessie’s vibrant spirit, love of learning, and dedication to family continually bring joy to the Baptist Homes community.

A Life of Change, A Legacy of Light

There is a word that seems to be consistent with me throughout my entire life – change. With each phase of life, there is a new or different way to live. From being single to being married. No children to having children. And recently, I have entered an area of life that is different than all the others. I am now a grandparent to two boys. It is exciting, fun, and a little scary.

I have been thinking and praying about this new change in my life. My conversations with God have led me to trust Him with the future. As a result of this trust in God and a desire to be a committed follower of Jesus, I want to be a LAMP for my grandsons to follow.

Love – If there is something my grandsons can learn best from me (and others), it is how to love. We live in a world that doesn’t always choose this action. I hope they will see me accepting and living my life as a reflection of the love of God that is given through his son, Jesus. In John 14:23, Jesus said, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Ask for and offer forgiveness.  As Romans 3:23 reminds me, there will no doubt be times that I fail living as the Lord would want me to live. The Lord’s Prayer reminds me every time I say it that forgiveness is a gift and a responsibility. When I confess my sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive me. It is also a spiritual discipline that I give forgiveness to others who sin against me, just as Jesus has given forgiveness to me.

Money – it can consume and bless. Ecclesiastes 5:10 reminds us, “The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This is also vanity.” Develop a relationship with God that is genuine and consistent.  In Luke 12:34, Jesus reminds his disciples (then and now), “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Using the wealth that God gives you can be a difference-maker for you and for others. Being a good steward of God’s blessings is a blessing and a way to reflect that which is most important.

Pray – for my grandsons, their parents, and their grandparents. One of the best ways I can teach them about having an intimate personal relationship with the Lord is to show them the importance of prayer in my life. Maybe there will be bedtime conversations that lead us to prayer. Or maybe, in the scary moments of life, we will pray together. Prayer changes things.

In Matthew 5:15-16, Jesus encourages us in our lamp-bearing opportunities. “People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Nick Davis, Director of Advancement

October Employee Spotlight: Patty Risher

Patty Risher: A Pillar of Support, Faith & Friendship

Patty Risher has been a dedicated part of Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries since August 1999. She began her journey in the transportation department and then served as a receptionist before transitioning to her current role as human resources director. Over the past 25 years, Patty has truly made BHHM her home, not just her workplace. In her role as human resources director, she finds joy in helping team members with orientation and navigating insurance and benefits. Her passion for supporting her coworkers shines through as she considers them more than colleagues—they’re family. Together, they’ve built a strong community, encouraging each other and sharing life’s moments both in and out of work.

Patty’s dedication is also reflected in the encouragement she receives from the neighbors. Their love and support, especially on tough days, remind her daily of God’s grace and the importance of lifting one another up.

Through the many changes she has experienced at BHHM, Patty has emerged stronger and more committed, always adapting and growing with the organization. Outside of work, Patty loves to travel with family and friends, and she takes pride in planning detailed itineraries for their trips.

Patty is also deeply involved in her church, First Baptist Church of Pilot Knob. She enjoys leading Wednesday evening Bible studies and participating in various church events like Vacation Bible School. Patty is a valued team member and a dear friend to many, but most importantly, she is a faithful child of God.