Medicaid info request

[gkainz]

Anyone well versed in the ins and outs of Medicaid? My dad recently went into a nursing home and my mom is struggling to work out the finances, and I'm jumping into a crash course in this stuff. I was recommended to a site that looks like the RonCo of medicaid info http://www.medicaidmanual.com where it looks like they're pretty much just selling a book and maybe info. I see Amazon.com has a number of similar (but some outdated?) books for significantly less.

Ideas? Suggestions? Resources?

 

[ScottM]

Ideas? Suggestions? Resources?

At the nursing home there should be an ombudsman or patient advocate, make an appointment with that person ASAP. They will help you with all the details in your state's program. If your dad is a vet the VA can also help with this stuff. If he is not already in the VA system that is something to think about. My step dad was in the system and the VA paid for his assisted living apartment, helped get medicaid and still handled his dialysis. It was a good deal all around.

Another route to look at for getting info is the city or country senior services department. All of these guys are way better and navigating the bureaucracy of services and benefits than any person can figure out on their own.

 

[Bob Noel]

I doubt anyone is well versed. :-(

And the answers appear to be a function of the State. So my (limited) experience/knowledge of Massachusetts won't necessarily help much. oh, yeah, where do your parents reside?

The advise I received was to contact an attorney that specializes in Elder law. Depending on how much your parent's estate is worth there are some things that can be done.

One thing I learned is that the IRS and Medicaid treat things differently. Also watch out for that "look back period" of 5 years.

And good luck.

 

[AdamZ]

Greg, Medicare/Caid can be a nightmare for everyone from seniors to their kids to folks who are injured at work or in an accident. For folks in your mom and dad's situation I strongly recommend that they consult with an Elder Law Attorney. There are some very good ones here and I'm sure in Colorado there are some as well. You want not just an estate planning attorney but an elder law attorney. Review this site http://www.naela.org/Public/

It can provide you with info regarding elder law attorneys and resources.

 

[gkainz]

Thanks for the info - greatly appreciated. Dad is not a vet. They live in South Dakota. Mom's already contacted an attorney locally, but I'm not sure if she's versed in elder law or not. Adam, thanks for that link - I'll review that tonight.

The estate is fairly small, and the goal and intent is to try to make it last long enough keep dad's care covered and keep mom off the streets, rather than protect assets; although the latter will definitely further the former.

 

[AdamZ]

Thanks for the info - greatly appreciated. Dad is not a vet. They live in South Dakota. Mom's already contacted an attorney locally, but I'm not sure if she's versed in elder law or not. Adam, thanks for that link - I'll review that tonight.

The estate is fairly small, and the goal and intent is to try to make it last long enough keep dad's care covered and keep mom off the streets, rather than protect assets; although the latter will definitely further the former.

Thats why it is so important to see an elder law attorney to help preserve the estate and assets to support your mom as well. This is really something that family attorney should not be doing, with no disrespect to him or her it can be a bit of a minefield and important to get the right advice.