Mom is 92 and in AL. She has dementia, but seems to get along just fine with the assistance she's provided there. I've heard in this forum that she would not qualify for Medicaid (MediCal, we're in California, if that matters) if her cash assets exceed $2K for 5 years. At her facility, there's a NH wing with rooms reserved for Medicaid patients that are much nicer than the regular ones (she had to stay in the NH when she had shingles, and it really was a dismal place - functional, clean, and well staffed, but dismal). This seems really weird, right? Anyway, if she gets to where she needs more help, she'll go to the NH wing. If she would benefit there by being on Medicaid, should I be keeping her accounts below that $2K limit to start the 5 year lookback? Realistically, I don't expect her to live another 5 years, but in case she does, and this would help her, I'm wondering if I should figure out ways to do that.
You already have Mom in an AL with medicaid beds. Now you watch her money. Medicaid allows prepaying for a funeral. Does Mom have life insurance with a cash value that she owns? I wouldn't do it now, but Medicaid requires that to be cashed for her care. When Mom gets down to where she only has 6 months left for her care in an AL, start talking to the Administrator at the facility. If done right, Mom should be able to transition from private pay to Medicaid with no problem. Just do not wait till the last minute.
Her bank account does not have to be 2k for 5 years as far as I know.
Go to the MediCal site and read the regs.