Frequently Asked Questions - Medicaid-paid Nursing Home Care
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government program managed by states to help with medical and long-term care costs. It is needs-based, meaning individuals must qualify financially for eligibility. In order to prevent individuals from merely making transfers of their property, either outright or in trust, to qualify for Medicaid, there is a penalty period imposed on transfers made within five years of applying for Medicaid. However, there are legal documents that may solve some of these concerns. No one should be disqualified from Medicaid-paid nursing home care due to income.
"I have a $4,000 bill from the nursing home my wife is in. Do I have any options?"
Yes, you can look at options for qualifying for Medicaid paid nursing home care, a federal program that pays for nursing home care for the elderly and disabled. There is a qualification process and complex legal planning is involved to protect your assets like your home, a vehicle, and more. A lawyer can help you navigate this process. Give us a call at 817-268-2022 to schedule a phone, zoom, or internet meeting with Travis Weaver, attorney.
“Even if Medicaid starts paying for mom’s nursing home bills, what about the $15,000 already paid?
If your mom is approved for Medicaid—we’ll let you know if she has a good chance of being approved—she will be reimbursed for up to 3 months of nursing home care prior to her application being submitted. Hopefully, she will then repay you for whatever funds you’ve spend on her nursing home bills. It usually takes 30 to 45 days for Medicaid applications to be accepted or denied.
“Do I have to sell my house so my husband can qualify for Medicaid?
No, it is probably not true that you will need to sell your home. A good lawyer can help you understand how to protect your home, a vehicle, and the majority of your savings and still qualify for Medicaid-paid nursing home care. However, your assets need to be legally arranged to meet guidelines. With appropriate estate planning tools provided by an attorney, your husband can get the care he needs and you’ll maintain your own independent life.
“How much does it cost to get a lawyer’s help with Medicaid qualification and legal planning?
At Weaver Firm – Attorneys, we’ve been helping folks qualify for Medicaid nursing home care and protect the family home, a vehicle, their life savings, and more for nearly four decades. When you consider the monthly average cost of a nursing home stay is between $4,000 and $6,000* per month or about $60,000 per year, our fee to assess your situation and possibly help you qualify for Medicaid payment is very reasonable. Schedule your meeting with Travis Weaver, attorney, to answer your questions and start the process, if needed. Just give us a call at 817-638-2022 to book your phone, zoom, or in person meeting.
"Why doesn’t the nursing home show me how to qualify for Medicaid instead of paying a lawyer?”
Nursing homes are a business—just like the electric company or the phone company. They need to be paid for the services they provide. Most nursing homes are willing to offer limited guidance on a patient’s options, but they do not have the staff or time to help patients arrange for payment of bills. That is the responsibility of the patient or family. Plus, legal work is involved in protecting your assets while qualifying for Medicaid nursing home benefits. Only a lawyer can perform legal work such setting up a Lady Bird deed or Miller Trust.