Second Marriage – Happily Ever After?
George called me because his wife, Mary wasn’t doing well. She has dementia and he is facing the prospect of needing long term care for her, possibly in a nursing home, although he would like to do everything possible to keep her at home. As the conversation always does,
Confusing Medicaid with Other Government Programs (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about the call I received from Lou. His dad had been living in senior housing but now needs nursing home care. Dad has $80,000 left in assets which he plans to spend down and then apply for Medicaid. When I asked Lou about
Confusing Medicaid with other Government Programs
The other day, Lou called me about his dad, who had been living in senior housing for a few years. His health has deteriorated and he now needs nursing home care. Lou’s plan is to spend down the $80,000 his dad has left, applying it towards the nursing home
VA Pension not Income for Medicaid Purposes (An Update)
Last year I wrote about an important court ruling in a case that impacts Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Several elder law attorneys filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey which, despite being in clear violation of federal law, insisted on counting VA Aid and
Medicaid Isn’t Just About the Finances
It’s something I always remind clients when we talk about Medicaid eligibility. Meeting the income and asset limits are not the only requirements. An applicant must also be medically eligible. What does that mean? An applicant must establish the need for nursing home level
Retitling Assets to Healthy Spouse to Qualify for Medicaid (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing Mary’s dilemma. Her husband, George, has Alzheimer’s Disease and is going to need some care at home. Mary is concerned that soon he will need nursing home level care and she wants to preserve their primary home and their second home.
Retitling Assets to Healthy Spouse to Qualify for Medicaid
It’s something I have written about in past blog posts but just last week we received a call from Mary on this exact issue. Her husband, George, has Alzheimer’s and now needs care at home. She is concerned that as his condition worsens it won’t be long before he
Changes to New Jersey Medicaid Have Finally Arrived!
So it has finally happened. Effective last Monday, December 1, New Jersey no longer is offering its Medically Needy program to individuals in need of nursing home level care. What this change does is effectively make Medicaid benefits possible to those at home and in assisted living facilities as
When Doing it Yourself (Medicaid) Can Only Take You So Far (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about Joe’s call. His mother, who was on Medicaid, received notice of an inheritance of $75,000. Joe wanted to figure out a way to keep that money since he and his brother had given Mom money to pay some of her medical expenses