The Biggest Misconception about ALFs and Medicaid (Part 3)
    The last two weeks I have been talking about the biggest misconception about assisted living facilities and Medicaid so let’s continue.     I explained to Carol the issue with level of care – that her mom must establish the need for nursing home level care even
The Biggest Misconception about Assisted Living Facilities and 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 its requirement that residents must private pay for a certain period before being considered for one of its Medicaid slots. Carol, however, heard something
The Biggest Misconception about ALFs and Medicaid – Part 1
    I wrote about this 5 years ago, but it still is one of the most common misconceptions families have about the ability to qualify for Medicaid in an assisted living facility. Let’s look at the following very common scenario. Mom can no longer live at home alone.Â
Irrevocable Trusts and Medicaid (Part 3)
    I promised in last week’s blog post that I would explain another solution to Mary’s Medicaid dilemma. Her uncle left assets in a trust for Mary but the terms provide that the funds can be used for Mary’s health support and maintenance. I explained to Mary and
Irrevocable Trusts and Medicaid – Part 2
   In last week’s blog post I was talking about a call I received about Mary, who is now in a nursing home. She has spent her assets towards her care and the only source of payment left is money that was left in an irrevocable trust for Mary’s
Irrevocable Trusts and Medicaid – Part 1
    I’ve written about trusts many times on my blog over the years, specifically about how we get many callers asking us to take a look at an existing trust the caller has set up - or that a family member set up for the caller - to
New Medicaid and VA Figures for 2018 #2018Medicaidnumbers
    The cost of living adjustment for 2018 for many of the government programs that affect our clients’ lives has been announced so let’s go over those numbers.     For 2018, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security recipients will receive an increase of 2%, after
Medicaid and Annuities (Part 2)
    In last week’s blog, I started to tell you about annuities and how unique they are when we are considering Medicaid. In order to achieve Medicaid eligibility, I must spend down my assets to below $2000 (married couple rules permit assets up to, in some cases, $120,900). Â
Medicaid and Annuities (Part 1)
    The topic of annuities comes up regularly when we get a call regarding the need for Medicaid benefits to pay for long term care. Sometimes the caller has questions about whether it is a good idea to buy an annuity in anticipation of Medicaid. Other times someone
Medicaid’s Confusing Treatment of Trusts (Part 2)
               Last week I wrote about trusts and how they are treated by Medicaid. Specifically, I am talking about irrevocable trusts. Most people assume that if they have placed their assets in an irrevocable trust, that by itself is enough to protect the assets from having to be spent down