Medicaid’s Spend Down – Don’t Get Caught Short
We had been working with Jeff to prepare for an eventual Medicaid application to be filed on his mother’s behalf. Much of that work involved reviewing the 5 years of records, Medicaid’s look back period. But we also needed to coordinate the spend down as we were nearing the target
Long Term Care Planning – Should I Wait and See? Part 2
Kelly had originally called us 7 years ago. Her dad had recently fallen in his home and Kelly recognized the need for someone to come into his home to help him. At that time she felt that only a few hours a day was all that was necessary and once
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
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
Dad and Aunt Living Together and Dad Needs Medicaid – Now What? (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing George’s dilemma. Dad needs nursing home care but owns the home that he and Aunt Harriet are living in. Is there a way for him to preserve the house for Harriet but avoid a New Jersey Medicaid lien and New Jersey Inheritance tax? The answer
Dad and Aunt Living Together and Dad Needs Medicaid – Now What? (Part 1)
George had been looking in on his dad and his Aunt Harriet for years. They had been living together for at least 20 years, ever since his mother died, when Dad moved into Harriet’s home. Now Dad was in rapidly declining health and would need nursing home care and Medicaid