Sources & Research Methodology

Primary Government Sources

Government agencies are the foundation of our research. We source eligibility rules, benefit amounts, enrollment periods, premium costs, and program details directly from the following official sources:

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) -- cms.gov
  The federal agency that administers Medicare and works with states on Medicaid. We use CMS publications for Medicare premiums, deductibles, coverage rules, enrollment periods, and Medicaid federal guidelines. CMS data is the authoritative source for all Medicare-related figures.
• Social Security Administration (SSA) -- ssa.gov
  The federal agency that administers Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We use SSA publications for benefit amounts, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), earnings limits, full retirement age tables, and eligibility criteria.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) -- va.gov
  The federal agency that provides benefits and services to military veterans. We use VA publications for health care eligibility, pension rates, Aid and Attendance benefit amounts, disability compensation rates, and survivor benefits.
• Medicare.gov -- medicare.gov
  The official consumer-facing Medicare website. We use it to verify plan details, coverage information, enrollment instructions, and cost data that we present in our Medicare guides.
• Medicaid.gov -- medicaid.gov
  The official federal Medicaid resource. We use it for federal Medicaid eligibility frameworks, waiver program information, and links to state-specific Medicaid programs.
• State departments of health and human services
  Each state administers its own Medicaid program, assisted living licensing regulations, and supplemental benefit programs. We consult individual state agency websites for state-specific eligibility thresholds, income limits, asset limits, waiver programs, and assisted living regulations. These state sources are essential for the accuracy of our state-by-state guides.

Industry and Research Data Sources

In addition to government sources, we reference recognized industry organizations and research institutions for cost data, trend analysis, and supplementary statistics:

• Genworth Cost of Care Survey
  One of the most widely cited sources for long-term care costs in the United States. The Genworth survey provides annual median cost data for assisted living facilities, home health aides, homemaker services, adult day health care, and nursing home care at the state and metropolitan level. We use this data in our assisted living cost guides and home care cost comparisons.
• American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI)
  An industry resource for long-term care insurance data, including premium trends, claims statistics, and policy information. We reference AALTCI data when discussing long-term care insurance as a payment option for assisted living or home care.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  A unit of the U.S. Department of Labor that produces data on employment, wages, and consumer prices. We use BLS data for home health aide and personal care aide wage statistics, which inform our home care cost estimates, as well as Consumer Price Index data relevant to cost-of-living adjustments.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA)
  A national organization focused on improving the lives of older adults. NCOA publishes research and data on benefits access, economic security for seniors, and program participation rates. We reference NCOA data to provide context about the scope and utilization of benefits programs.
• AARP Public Policy Institute
  A research arm of AARP that produces reports on issues affecting older Americans, including health care costs, caregiving trends, and retirement security. We reference AARP Public Policy Institute research for broader context on trends and policy developments that affect seniors' benefits and care options.

How We Compile and Present Data

Our research and content creation process follows a consistent methodology across all guides:

• Identify the topic scope -- We define the specific program, benefit, or care option the guide will cover, along with any geographic focus (state, city)
• Gather primary source data -- We collect current-year figures, eligibility rules, and program details directly from official government publications
• Supplement with industry data -- Where relevant, we add cost data, trend information, or statistical context from the industry and research sources listed above
• Cross-reference and verify -- Key figures are cross-checked against multiple sources to ensure accuracy
• Write in plain language -- We translate technical program rules and regulatory language into clear, accessible content
• Review and publish -- Content goes through an editorial review for accuracy, clarity, and completeness before publication

When we present data, we identify the source and, where applicable, the year of the data. This allows readers to independently verify any figure we publish.

Our Update Schedule and Review Process

Government benefits programs change on regular cycles, and our update schedule is designed to keep pace:

• Annual program-year updates -- When federal agencies announce new figures for the coming year (typically in the fall), we review and update all affected guides. This includes Medicare premiums and deductibles, Social Security benefit amounts, SSI thresholds, VA pension rates, and Medicaid federal poverty level adjustments
• State-level updates -- We monitor state agencies for changes to Medicaid eligibility, assisted living regulations, and state supplement programs, and update our state guides accordingly
• Cost data updates -- When new editions of cost surveys (such as the Genworth Cost of Care Survey) are released, we update our cost guides with the latest figures
• Mid-year corrections -- If errors are identified or significant policy changes occur outside the annual cycle, we update affected content promptly

Every guide displays an "Updated" date stamp so readers can see when the information was last reviewed.

Limitations and Disclaimers

While we strive for accuracy and completeness, readers should be aware of the following limitations:

• Programs change -- Government benefits programs are subject to legislative changes, regulatory updates, and annual adjustments. Information in our guides reflects the most recent data available at the time of our last review, but may not reflect changes that occur after that date
• Individual circumstances vary -- Eligibility for benefits programs depends on individual circumstances including income, assets, household size, state of residence, age, disability status, and other factors. Our guides provide general information and cannot account for every individual situation
• Not professional advice -- Our content is educational and informational only. It is not a substitute for advice from licensed insurance agents, attorneys, financial advisors, or healthcare providers
• Cost data is based on surveys and averages -- Care cost figures we cite are based on surveys and represent medians or averages for a given area. Actual costs may be higher or lower depending on the specific provider, level of care, and other factors
• State data may lag -- State agency websites sometimes take time to reflect new federal guidelines or annual updates. We do our best to use the most current available figures, but readers should verify with their state agency directly

We encourage all readers to verify information with official sources and consult licensed professionals before making enrollment, financial, or care decisions.

Related Policies

For more information about our editorial standards and verification processes, please visit:

• Fact-Checking Policy -- Our multi-step process for verifying information before and after publication
• Editorial Policy -- Our commitment to accuracy, independence, and transparent reporting
• Medical & Benefits Review Policy -- How we review health-related and benefits content
• How We Research -- An overview of our research methodology
• Transparency Statement -- How we are funded and how we maintain editorial independence