You'll have to check with Medicaid to see just what they cover. These waivers are done by the states, so they may not all be the same. Congratulations on her getting a nice place. I hope it all goes well. Whoever manages her money will need to know just what Medicaid expects, so a talk with the office is in order.
I very much appreciate those who believe that Medicaid eligibility rules should be adhered to and that those who are confronted with long-term care costs should spend down all of their own assets before qualifying for Medicaid benefits.
I would like to take a moment, however, to argue that this is not always the best route either for the well being of the elder and/or the family. Let me preface by saying that in my work I could really care less about inheritances. Although the desire to pass along assets is strong, most understand that is the needs of the one requiring care and their spouse (if applicable) that is paramount. That being said, let's consider the question that was implied: does Medicaid pay for everything?
The answer is that Medicaid never pays for "everything". If in a nursing home the client is going to need many things that Medicaid will not pay for (including rudimentary things like CLOTHING!).
If entering an assisted living facility under long-term care diversion, income will definitely be required to pay for room and board expenses plus any additional levels of care that may be required in the future.
In short, I believe it is very, very bad advice to simply spend down without exploring reasonable methods to preserve funds for the care receivers benefit. It is true that some of these methods may also preserve a portion of assets for heirs, but that certainly is not always the case.
In my view, the most effective planning is that which coordinates the client's own resources along with public benefits so he/she can age in place for as long as possible with as much dignity and financial peace of mind as possible.
There are several methods to preserve a portion of the patients assets for their use while on Medicaid while still being able to qualify for Medicaid immediately or within relatively short periods of time.
I encourage all of you confronted with these matters to not go blindly down the path of spend down.
If you are in Florida and would like more information please visit me at www.RalphRobbins.com
No medicaid does not pay for every thing. However their are special programs example like american group that work with some assisting living homes and give you some assistance, also if a veternan or a spouse of a veternan is the one in the assisting living they aslo help. You will ned all the discharged papers and any legal paper work copy of marriage cert, social security of the veternans, the elder care will help you get started with that. I have been waiting over 10 months, since moms money ran out, but just last week received a letter that I will be meeting with them soon My own mom is in a assisting living, it is a lovely place and I visit regular and sleep over. It makes her happy seeing me the next moring at breakfast. There is one thing to remember is there is money you do not know about even some states look at pre paid insurance policies. The veternans will require if the elderly can not handle their affairs a power of attorney is needed, of which would be youself. Good luck. Happy to hear you found a nice place for mom. You can start by looking for prepaid insurance policies that you are the benefincary and do a pre paid plan funeral arrangement. Visit regular and do not go at regular times. Ask the assisiting living home groups they work with for assistance. Carol always has very good advice and this is a great chat line. patricia61
My mother has just moved into an assisted living facility but we must pay until her money runs out and then apply for medicaid. My mother receives social security and a small pension. I applied for the veteran's aid and attendance in late May but have not heard anything yet. It is my understanding (at least here in Michigan) that medicaid will pay for assisted living but in a semi-private room. Does anyone know of any assisted living facilities in Michigan that accept medicaid and also provide a private room? Does anyone know of other financial aid available? I really want to keep her in her private room as long as possible. I still have the enormous task of cleaning out her house and trying to sell it in this market-this will not be easy.
Thanks, everyone for your helpful insights. Sorry I've been quiet, but I was hit with a horrible flu/cold and was still expected to empty and clean Mom's old apartment. I'm taking the weekend to recover, but I'm beginning to realize I've got another big battle in front of me. Because of "social service's" muckups, I now need to try to get total Medicaid for Mom. I'll tackle this next week.
Medicaid is a hard thing to work with if you do not understand how it works. The elderly who person is ill and can have no assets. If the person is in a assisting living not a nursing homes there are many programs that can help. example in Florida you pay a part, example there are different health groups that pay another part and if the person had a spouse the are able to get the veternans help. get with elder care in your local area and they will help you. Nursing homes is with medicaid and assisting living is different. hope this will help. There is also hospice if the person neds more care but the elder care can help you out and your doctor. patrica61 You must be a lgeal part of the person llife with durable poer of attorney, health epoxy and caregiver, and have a DNR on hand if needed. They all will help you out.
Carol
I very much appreciate those who believe that Medicaid eligibility rules should be adhered to and that those who are confronted with long-term care costs should spend down all of their own assets before qualifying for Medicaid benefits.
I would like to take a moment, however, to argue that this is not always the best route either for the well being of the elder and/or the family. Let me preface by saying that in my work I could really care less about inheritances. Although the desire to pass along assets is strong, most understand that is the needs of the one requiring care and their spouse (if applicable) that is paramount. That being said, let's consider the question that was implied: does Medicaid pay for everything?
The answer is that Medicaid never pays for "everything". If in a nursing home the client is going to need many things that Medicaid will not pay for (including rudimentary things like CLOTHING!).
If entering an assisted living facility under long-term care diversion, income will definitely be required to pay for room and board expenses plus any additional levels of care that may be required in the future.
In short, I believe it is very, very bad advice to simply spend down without exploring reasonable methods to preserve funds for the care receivers benefit. It is true that some of these methods may also preserve a portion of assets for heirs, but that certainly is not always the case.
In my view, the most effective planning is that which coordinates the client's own resources along with public benefits so he/she can age in place for as long as possible with as much dignity and financial peace of mind as possible.
There are several methods to preserve a portion of the patients assets for their use while on Medicaid while still being able to qualify for Medicaid immediately or within relatively short periods of time.
I encourage all of you confronted with these matters to not go blindly down the path of spend down.
If you are in Florida and would like more information please visit me at www.RalphRobbins.com
Again-- Thanks, everyone! I'll be back soon.
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