What Happens When the Healthy Spouse Dies Before the Medicaid Spouse? Part 2
Last week we were discussing Judy’s problem with Medicaid. Her dad, Joe, was about to lose his Medicaid status unless he complied with New Jersey’s elective share law, something Judy had never heard of. I explained to Judy that many states have such a law. It is designed to protect an unsuspecting
What Happens When the Healthy Spouse Dies Before the Medicaid Spouse? ( Part 1)
Joe and Mary had been married for 20 years, a second marriage for both. They each had children from a previous marriage. As they both aged and needed more care their respective children stepped in. When Joe eventually needed nursing home care his daughter, Judy, handled his finances while Mary’s
Medicare Settlement – How will it change things?
Last week I was discussing the recent settlement in the case of Jimmo v. Sebelius that will have a huge impact on Medicare recipients who need rehabilitative services at home or in a skilled nursing facility. We’ll have to wait and see how this affects care in the long term
Medicare Settlement May Affect Many
Mom has dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis or is in a general declining state of health due to advanced age. She has an acute condition or injury that requires her entry to the hospital and then to a sub acute facility for rehabilitation. Up to 100 days of rehabilitative services
New Jersey Implements POLST
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services recently released a new option for patients to communicate their goals and wishes for treatment in end of life situations. POLST stands for Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. New Jersey is one of many states that has put POLST in place. The
Are VA Aid and Attendance Benefits Countable as Income by Medicaid? (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing the VA Aid and Attendance benefit and how it could “knock you off” some of New Jersey’s Medicaid programs - specifically the assisted living and home based programs – because some of the VA pension will be considered income for Medicaid purposes. That could cause
Are VA Aid and Attendance Benefits Countable as Income by Medicaid? (Part 1)
New Jersey has several Medicaid programs. Some have a strict income cap of $2130 per month of gross income as we saw last week with the assisted living program. In 2013, if you have more income than $2130 per month you won’t be eligible for these programs. So what counts
The Facility Said If I Pay for 2 Years then I’ll Get Medicaid (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing Carol, her mom and a very common disconnect we see when families speak with assisted living facilities. The facility explained it’s requirement that residents private pay for a certain period before being considered for one of it’s Medicaid slots. Carol heard something entirely different, that
The Facility Said If I Pay for 2 Years then I’ll Get Medicaid (Part 1)
It’s a statement we hear frequently when someone calls our office with the following scenario. Mom can no longer live at home alone so daughter, Carol, is exploring assisted living as an option. She tours an assisted living facility and has a conversation with the Community Relations Director. Carol asks