Learn the Requirements for Medicaid for Nursing Home Care

Medicaid for Nursing Home Care can easily become overwhelming!  The Department of Children and Families is the agency that approves or denies applications, and they have stringent rules for Medicaid for Nursing Home Care.

Requirements for Medicaid for Nursing Home Care:

The monthly income threshold for Medicaid for Nursing Home Care is currently$2,829.  Income that is more than this amount has to be dealt with so that the applicant can meet the requirement. The Department of Children and Families counts income from any source.  Common examples of income sources are retirement pension income, social security income, VA benefits, investment account distributions, etc.  In the instance that a potential applicant’s income goes above $2,829 a month, a well-known and effective way of handling the extra income is to use a Qualified Income Trust.

The QIT has to be funded each month with the applicant’s extra income plus an advised cushion of up to a few hundred dollars.  This artificially decreases the applicant’s income to comply with the rules for Medicaid for Nursing Home Care.

The rationale for putting just the extra monthly income plus a cushion into the QIT is because when the applicant dies, the remaining money in there goes to the state.  For this reason, it is not advised to put the entirety of an applicant’s monthly income into a QIT.  It is crucial to understand that the QIT has to be funded each month with that month’s income.  When done properly, a QIT is an effective way to handle extra income so that the applicant can achieve Medicaid for Nursing Home Care.

DCF hasrules for countable assets for an applicant for Medicaid for Nursing Home Eligibility.  The countable asset limit is currently $2,000.  For married couples the rules are a bit different.  For an individual applicant that is married, the limit is $2,000 for the applicant and $154,140 for the community spouse.  

While a discussion for another time, this allows more options for asset protection strategies. “Countable” means that the assets count when deciding Medicaid for Nursing Home Care eligibility.  The aim of asset protection is to reconfigure these assets in order for them to be considered “non-countable” or “exempt” assets.  Non-countable assets do not count against the eligibility limit but can be collected from the state when the applicant dies.  Because of this, the best thing is to restructure countable assets to make them “exempt”, meaning they are not considered when determining Medicaid for Nursing Home Care eligibility and they are protected from collection when the applicant passes.

Over To You:

Does this sound terrible?  We are confident the answer is yes!  Thankfully, help is just around the corner. Platinum Benefit Services is here to assist you in obtaining Medicaid for Nursing Home Care!  In 27 years we have obtained more than 14,000 Medicaid approvals for our clients in conjunction with appropriate legal counsel.  We promise you that nobody is going to work more to ensure that you or a loved one’s assets are correctly configured to get Medicaid for Nursing Home Care than us.

How To Get Medicaid for Nursing Home Care For Elderly Without Breaking Your Pocket?

Are you looking to help a parent or loved one get nursing home care, but the Medicaid rules are so complex? You aren't alone. At Platinum Benefit Services, we look after Medicaid-related concerns and have a team of experts who are well-versed with all the rules and clauses of Medicaid for Nursing Home Care. We know exactly how to protect your savings and help you in your hard financial times. 

How Medicaid Helps?

In many homes, the elderly struggle to take care of themselves. And since most homes have nuclear families, with both spouses working, the struggle is more. Luckily, Medicaid for Nursing Home Care can be your help at this challenging time. 

Medicaid is a U.S. healthcare program supported by both the federal and state governments that helps senior citizens receive healthcare. If a person qualifies for Medicaid facilities, they will receive coverage for specific nursing home expenses, medicines, care services, medical supplies, and more.

Qualifying For Medicaid for Nursing Home Care:

Your loved one must meet the norms of a necessary medical test to avail of the coverage. The criteria include the following:

•Their monthly income must be less than $2,523.

•Their assets must not be more than $2,000 (excluding their private vehicles and shared marital assets (in a situation where the spouse doesn't need Medicaid).

Remember, the Medicaid grant is intended for individuals who need nursing home care but can't bear the expenses. 

Application Process for Medicaid:

If you want Medicaid coverage for your loved one, then move on with the application process. Filling an application can be tedious and difficult. And if you make even a tiny blunder, your application may get rejected. Being accurate and timely are critical aspects for the success of your application.

During the application process, you have to submit multiple documents like age proof, income assets, and records regarding finances. It's better to take the help of an expert who can guide you through the process. 

Over to You:

When it comes to Medicaid for Nursing Home Care for your loved one, you must be mindful. At Platinum Benefit Services, we have been helping people cruise through situations where they need safe care facilities for their elderly but don't have the budget to bear the costs. We look into every detail, do paperwork, and take care of every need precisely needed for the success of an application for Medicaid benefits.

Does Medicaid Pay For Nursing Home Care?

In this blog, you will find answers to many questions associated with Medicaid Nursing Home Eligibility. 

Firstly, Medicaid will pay for nursing home care for people who meet the program’s fundamental eligibility criteria. You must know the rules vary from one state to another. So, it is advised to have a conversation with local Medicaid experts who can guide you successfully through the process.

Along with that, the Medicaid complexity in rules changes based on the marital status of the marital status of applicant or beneficiary. On qualifying, you, the applicant, get all the Medicaid benefits they can avail.

How Much Does Medicaid Pay for Nursing Home Care?

According to Medicaid rules, the applicant will receive a complete payment for nursing home care that includes room charges, food, and medical items. In contrast, the nursing home resident must contribute most of their income to these expenses. This is termed Patient Liability.

As a nursing home resident, you can receive a small Personal Needs Allowance from your income, and the criteria are based on the rules of the state of the resident. 

A nursing home facility can deduce costs like Medicare premiums, which Medicaid does not cover. For better understanding, you can connect with a local Medicaid planning expert.

Do all Nursing Home Facilities Accept Medicaid? 

According to estimates, about 80% to 90% of nursing homes accept Medicaid. Though statistics say so, this finding can be misleading as many nursing home units don’t have “Medicaid beds .”Medicaid rooms are rooms, or shared rooms, that a qualified resident will get from Medicaid. 

Many nursing home facilities prefer residents who can make private payments where the family bears the cost from their pocket. The reason is that private residents pay about 30% more for nursing home care than Medicaid pays. 

How to Apply for Medicaid Nursing Home Eligibility?

The Medicaid rules are long and cumbersome. Applying for the same is a tedious process and has multiple processes to follow. 

To go forward, the applicant can apply for Medicaid care through an online process or at a Medicaid office in their state. You must apply for the same only after being sure about your eligibility criteria. You can seek assistance from a Medicaid planner to understand your scope of getting the care expenses. 

Applying for Medicaid is not easy. You will need to do massive paperwork to support your documents, and this may cost you lots of time and energy. 

Over To You:

Though Medicaid is a substantial monetary benefit intended to offer benefits, the Medicaid Nursing Home Eligibility rules are stringent.

At Platinum Benefit Services, we have a team of experts to walk you through every step and help you make your application a success. 

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care?

Nursing homes offer a variety of health care assistance and provide a safe and comfortable environment for older adults who can no longer live independently. Medicaid is an essential funding for this type of long-term care. It relieves older adults and their loved ones of significant expenses and acts as a boon as it covers total nursing facility expenses for qualified individuals.

Medicaid for Nursing Home Care has specific eligibility requirements that are stringent and vary from one state to another. To learn more, keep reading.

What is Medicaid? 

Medicaid is the best government program that offers vital healthcare coverage for millions of elderly Americans. It offers monetary support to eligible older adults as well as younger people, children, expectant mothers, and people with disabilities. 

Medicaid covers numerous categories and includes nursing home care along with long-term care at homes. 

What Expenses are Covered by Medicaid for Nursing home care?

If you are qualified, Medicaid will cover all of the fees related to going to a nursing home. The following are some of the services that are generally Medicaid-covered and don't need an individual to pay out of their pocket:

•Accommodation and Meals

•Skilled nursing care

•Supplies for personal hygiene

•Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)

•Rehabilitation services

•Social services (that relate to healthcare) 

•Urgent dental care

•Room and bed maintenance

For qualified beneficiaries, Medicaid covers the cost of nursing home care for as long as that type of care is needed, whether that be for a few weeks, months, or the rest of their life.

All nursing home facilities don't accept Medicaid

Medicaid-certified Facilities:

The nursing home licensed and certified as a Medicaid Nursing Facility (NF) only accepts Medicaid patients. Medicaid-certified facilities offer specific, medically mentioned care that falls within the Medicaid rules and guidelines. 

Researching Facilities:

How to search for the right Medicaid-certified nursing home for yourself or a family member? Either you can visit a local nursing home or send someone on your behalf to find out if a nursing home ambiance is good for you. By doing this, you can speak and learn about the nursing home staff by yourself. 

Over To You:

Be careful planning and thorough research before selecting a Medicaid nursing facility. It's wise to see an expert before making any decisions about Medicaid for Nursing Home Care.

At Platinum Benefits Services, we are devoted to helping you access Medicaid for nursing home care as smoothly as possible. Your health and financial well-being are our top priorities, and we're here to support you every step of the way.