Home » Money & Legal » Medicare & Medicaid » Questions » Is there a cap for bills paid out of pocket?

Is there a cap for bills paid out of pocket?

Asked by genealgal  |  Jan 30, 2012

 Print

Email Email

If Mom is living in her own house, with an existing mortgage, can she continue to pay bills at the same rate, such as mortgage?? She will need help paying for home-care a few hours a day when all her savings is gone. However, her monthly lifetime benefits (SS and retirement acct) are currently paying for supplemental insurance, mortgage, utilities, food etc. Will she have to live in a cheaper place to be eligible for Medicaid so they can use more of her income to pay for services? Her mortgage is about $1000/mo. What if it was $20,000/mo? If she spends it each month, she will still be below the $2,000 limit, right?

Answer This Question

 
 
 

K. Gabriel Heiser, Feb 3, 2012

K. Gabriel Heiser is an attorney with over 25 years experience in elder law and estate planning. Heiser is the author of "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets," an annually updated practical guide for the layperson. Visit www.MedicaidSecrets.com for more info.

 

A person in a nursing home or assisted living facility who qualifies for Medicaid must pay over almost all of their income to the facility and may not continue to pay the mortgage on their house out of their income. If the person receiving HCBS (Medicaid for at-home residents) has income less than $2,094 (for year 2012) they can retain that income; if their income is over that, it typically must be spent down on medical expenses or held in a special Qualified Income Trust, depending on the state Medicaid rules.

 
 

(0)

Report this Post 

 

genealgal

Give a Hug

Feb 4, 2012

Thank you so much for the response! Just to see if I understand what you're saying......? Mom's lifetime of invested savings will be going to pay down the principal on our (Joint Tenants) house, which we will refinance, so I can afford the monthly payments on my own.

She will continue to receive $2500/mo the rest of her life from SS and PERS (CA retirment system). Am I correct that, if/when she is accepted on Medicaid, she can spend $1999 per month, every month, on whatever she wants (such as mortgage and utilities), as long as she continues to live at home?

I assume the remaining $500/mo will go to pay for whatever medical care is not already covered by Medicare and her supplemental insurance. In this case, the care she needs help paying for is Home Care as long as she is living at home.

I also assume the entire $2500/mo goes with her when she has to move to an Adult Family Home, Assisted Living or a Nursing Home.

Am I on the right track? Again, thank you. I never seem to have the right questions ready when meeting with the lawyer, so don't get the answers I need.

 
 

Helpful Answer (0)

Report this Post 

Answer this Question

Please stay on topic or ask a new question.

Find Senior Housing And Care That Fits You Needs

I am looking for:
Search location:











Housing


Care


Join the Discussion

Have a question? Just need to vent? Find answers and support from the real experts - other caregivers!

Recent Community Activity

Early-Onset Alzheimer's: When a Caregiver Needs Care
Comment 47 mins ago by Chimonger

Grossed Out? Need to Vent? Just caught Mom using my toothbrush to comb her hair!
Comment 48 mins ago by cattails

Two years this July my mother has been living with me. She is a mean and hateful woman and I just can't do…
Comment 1 hr ago by cattails

Should I pay off my grandma's house?
Answered 1 hr ago by 195Austin

does anyone know how to get transportation to dr. appts?
Asked 1 hr ago by sac916

More From The Community »

Stay Connected

Sign up for our newsletter and receive practical tips and support for caregivers

 

Like AgingCare.com on Facebook