--- title: "What Is a Life Plan Community (CCRC)? How They Work" description: "Life plan communities, also called CCRCs, explained: levels of care on one campus, entrance fees, contract types, and what to check before you sign." url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/ccrc/ updated: 2026-10-09 site: Senior Transition Assistance --- Senior living options # What is a life plan community (CCRC)? A life plan community, long called a continuing care retirement community or CCRC, puts independent living, assisted living and nursing care on one campus. Here's how they work and what to read carefully. Talk it through with a person[ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388) Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide. Quick answer A life plan community (continuing care retirement community, or CCRC) offers several levels of care on one campus, usually independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing, so residents can move between them as needs change. Most charge an entrance fee plus a monthly fee, and the contract type decides how much future care costs. Read the contract with a professional before you sign. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) to compare options near you. **Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently. **On this page** 1. [ How a life plan community works](#g-how-a-life-plan-community-works) 2. [The fees](#g-the-fees) 3. [Common contract types](#g-common-contract-types) 4. [What to check before you sign](#g-what-to-check-before-you-sign) 5. [Who it fits](#g-who-it-fits) 6. [Questions](#g-faq) ## How a life plan community works Most people move in while independent, into an apartment or cottage. If they later need more help, they move to assisted living, memory care or nursing care on the same campus, often with priority access. Couples can stay close even when one needs more care. ## The fees - **Entrance fee:** a one-time payment, often large. Some contracts refund part of it to the resident or estate; others don't. - **Monthly fee:** covers housing, services and, depending on the contract, some or all future care. ## Common contract types | Contract | What it usually means | |---|---| | Life care (often called Type A) | Higher entrance and monthly fees, but future care costs little or nothing more | | Modified (Type B) | Some future care included, or discounted, up to a limit | | Fee-for-service (Type C) | Lower fees now; pay market rates for care when you need it | | Rental | No large entrance fee; monthly rent; care priced separately | Terms vary by community. Ask for the contract and the disclosure documents, and read them closely. ## What to check before you sign - What happens to the entrance fee if your parent leaves or dies? Is the refund written into the contract? - How much have monthly fees risen in recent years? - What decides when a resident must move to a higher level of care, and who decides? - Is there always room at the higher levels for current residents? - The community's financial health: ask for audited financial statements. - Most people should have an elder law attorney or financial advisor review the contract. ## Who it fits Life plan communities fit people who are independent now, want a plan for later, and can afford the fees. If care is needed now, [assisted living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/assisted-living/) or [memory care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/memory-care/) may be a simpler route. ### Considering a life plan community? We'll help you compare options in the Kansas City area and what to ask each one. Free. [ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form) ## Questions families ask ### Is a CCRC the same as a life plan community? Yes. "Life plan community" is the newer name for a continuing care retirement community. ### Is the entrance fee refundable? It depends on the contract. Some are partly refundable; some aren't. Read the contract. ### Does Medicare pay for a CCRC? Medicare doesn't pay entrance or monthly fees. It can cover a short skilled nursing stay in the community's nursing center when the rules are met. ### Do you have to be healthy to move in? Many life plan communities require residents to be able to live independently at move-in and may review health and finances. ## Sources - [Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care) - [ACL: Long-term care planning](https://acl.gov/ltc) ## Related guides - [How we help](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/) - [Senior living options](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/senior-living-options/) - [Independent living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/independent-living/) - [Assisted living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/assisted-living/) - [Retirement communities](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/retirement-communities/) - [Adult day care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/adult-day-care/) - [Geriatric care managers](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/geriatric-care-manager/) - [Respite care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/respite-care/) - [Senior apartments](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/senior-apartments/) --- Canonical page: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/ccrc/