Yes! Medicaid pays for Long-Term Care. Medicare does not.
Medicaid is a state and federally funded government benefit program that helps individuals pay for expenses related to healthcare as well as custodial Long-Term Care. Not only can it cover medical care, but also the costs of Long-Term Care services, whether the services are delivered in a nursing home or community setting – even in one’s own home. In order to qualify for Medicaid Long-Term Care coverage, however, you typically must have limited income and assets.
In some circumstances, Medicaid may provide the funds needed for you to remain in your home with assistance. For instance, if you need help with personal care, such as bathing and dressing, programs such as Community First Choice and Medicaid Personal Care may pay for all or some of your personal care services, as well as training for your chosen caregiver. You can choose an Individual Provider, which can be a family member, or a Home Care Agency, which is a licensed agency that will provide a caregiver for you. Any caregiver chosen will undergo a background check. Likewise, if you need medical assistance while at home, you can have a nursing assistant or a certified home care aide to provide these services. A registered nurse can assess your medical needs and train and supervise an aide in providing you with certain medical services; if you need more skilled nursing care, you also can utilize a home health care agency for these services. Other available services designed to keep you in your home might include adult day care, home delivered meals, and in-home medical equipment.
On the other hand, if you can no longer remain in your home, you have many other options available to you that Medicaid may fund in full or in part. If you do not need full-time nursing care, for example, you may qualify to reside in an adult family home or an assisted living facility, depending on your needs. Different facilities offer different services, such as intermittent nursing care or administration of medications. If you need 24-hour skilled nursing care, then you can reside in a traditional nursing home. Again, based on your income and assets, Medicaid may pay for all or some of the costs of nursing home care.
Whether you are facing the imminent need for Long-Term Care or simply trying to plan for the future, you should definitely contact an experienced Washington asset protection attorney at Elder Law Group PLLC today. This step can help you determine the best path to both securing Long-Term Care and preserving the assets that you have worked so hard to earn. We know the strategies necessary to protect your assets. Call Elder Law Group PLLC today and see what assistance we can offer you and your family.