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I am going to an Elder Care lawyer to try and get my wife on Medicaid so I can put her into ALF, they want 15,000 to 18,000 dollars, does it really cost that much? In the long run the ALF costs over $100,000 a year so I guess it would be worth it. I live in Michigan and really don't want to lose all of my assets I've worked my whole life. Any advice?

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Delberte, its unfortunate but I'm in the same boat. I also went to an Elder Care Attorney to see what could be done. This is the same one who did our legal documents including our will for over $1000. I only spoke to an assistant or what they called a Medicaid Specialist. They were very coy about the price saying oh don't worry about that it would just come out of the money they saved me. Finally I pinned them down when we were getting close to actually filling out the form for Medicaid. Still, I was told 7 1/2%, not a dollar figure. As you are entitled to your half of all assets, I thought maybe they only charged that on my spouses half, but sadly not the case. I ended it when they called giving me 3 days to come up with approximately half their fee of over 18 K. Really you do most of the work calling and going here and there and keeping financial information updated. In the end, the lawyer puts what is left in a Medicaid Annuity and it comes back to you in a designated period of 2, 4. to 6 years. Then supposedly the money is yours unless your spouse should pass before the money comes back to you, then what is left goes back to Medicaid. Don't forget, forms have to be filed every year to continue Medicaid although it isn't as much as in the beginning and your lawyer doesn't do that for you. You may also want to ask about what happens to your home if something happens to you before your wife passes. It's a lot to think about.

For now I'm trying to get some in home help and manage without Medicaid. Currently I can, my husband can do most things for himself. He could do more if his mind were not so bad with Alzheimers and it is stressful but I'm dealing. I too agree about not wanting everything we worked for to go for nursing home care. We saved and did without to have what little we have. If we had not both worked and saved, took more vacations, spent more on luxuries, and etc, we would qualify. I know some people don't see it that way but I certainly understand where you're coming from.

Sorry, this isn't very helpful but I do understand how it all makes you feel and I think we have to do what we have to do given our circumstances.
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I would call around to ALs in ur area and see if they even except Medicaid. In my State, you have to private pay at least 2 yrs before Medicaid would pay and that was if the facility had not hit its % of Medicaid residents they allow.

Your other choice is LTC. You being the Community spouse. That 10k would pay a month in LTC and maybe 2 months in an AL.

I suggest u contact your Office of Aging and see what kind of help they can offer. Also, go to your Medicaid Office. You may be able to do a lot on ur own. Only getting a lawyer when things get overwhelming.
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Have you contacted Michigan Medicaid to see if they will even pay for AL? Because it doesn’t appear that they do. There may be a few services they would pay for but they will not pay for room & board. Michigan medicaid is different that most other state Medicaid programs, especially since you are married. You should shop around before deciding on a certain attorney.
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I don’t know what all you want the attorney to do, but here in GA I was quoted $10,000 to set up a trust, do a Medicaid approved loan with my mom’s money, and fill out the application for Medicaid. That was a certified elder care attorney & I had to pay $400 for that information (actually mom did). And I didn’t even want a trust set up NOR the Loan!!! I couldn’t even get a quote on individual things like filling out a Medicaid application. I guess that didn’t bring in enough money for him!
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Assisted Living is generally private pay so you'd pay them privately until the money runs out. Then you would go on Medicaid, but likely would need to move to a skilled nursing facility that accepts Medicaid. Some facilities have both and can transition you once the private pay money runs out. Because you are married, you probably need a professional to set up and divide the funds properly so you have something left. $15000 to $18000 sounds excessive, I'm sure you can find someone else who can do it for less. Skilled Nursing facilities WILL cost well over $100000 grand/year, but assisted living is less. Does your wife need skilled nursing 24 hour care now? If so, definitely get a lawyer if you have significant assets, but shop around and keep searching in your area, you may find a better rate.
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