Short answer: Families never pay 1st CHOICE Advisory Services for help finding senior living or in-home care. Since 1993, the agency has earned a referral fee from the community a family chooses—never from the family itself.
1st CHOICE Advisory Services opened its doors in 1993 with the intent of assisting older adults and their families to better understand the care options available to them in our community. Since its inception, the agency has been able to operate without charging the senior (or their legally responsible party) for this service. Instead, the agency derives a referral fee from the selected provider.
How Referral Fees Work With Communities
1st CHOICE endeavors to contract with all providers in the same manner, yet some larger senior living communities have negotiated slightly lower referral fee rates. These buildings sometimes rely upon 1st CHOICE to help their resident transition to a higher level of care when the resident’s needs exceed the community’s capabilities.
Which Providers 1st CHOICE Works With
1st CHOICE enters into referral contracts with Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Adult Care Homes. The agency does not charge fees to skilled nursing facilities, nor does the agency assess referral fees to in-home care agencies. Nursing homes and in-home care agencies tend to provide care for a short amount of time until an older adult has regained strength or until a long-term solution is put in place by selecting a senior care community or home.
Payment Timing and Terms
1st CHOICE’s agreement with providers varies in payment terms, with most providers making payment 30 days after the resident takes possession of the apartment or room. Some contracts are based on the first 90 days of residency. Almost all of the agreements 1st CHOICE holds are based on one month’s rent and care.
The first 30 days of residency, 1st CHOICE considers to be the trial period. The resident is assessing if this is the right fit for them, and the care community or care home is determining what the resident requires in terms of personal care.
Hospice Care Referral Fees
1st CHOICE charges a minimal fee to providers when they admit a resident who is receiving hospice care. The fee is typically based on 10-20% of the monthly base rent and care, not to exceed one month’s rent and care.