Elder Law & Medicaid

Elder Law & Medicaid

Elder Law & Medicaid

Elder Law is a broad category of legal practice, but is most commonly used to refer to planning for Medicaid and Medicare benefits. Medicaid and Medicare are public benefits programs administered by federal and state governments. Although both programs are intended to aid in healthcare costs, the programs are quite different regarding the costs they pay for, and how an individual qualifies to receive benefits. Simply stated, Medicare is a system that primarily seeks to aid in payment of ordinary 
Elder Law — Eye Glasses and Book in Yakima, WA
medical expenses associated with ongoing healthcare such as hospitalization, doctor's fees, and prescription drug expenses. Medicare is not intended to pay for long term care expenses such as an adult family home, assisted living facility, or in-home care, though it may pay for limited time in a Skilled Nursing Facility or a nursing home if certain criteria are met.
Unlike Medicare, which is considered an entitlement program, Medicaid is a needs based program. An applicant for Medicaid benefits must meet certain income and resource requirements, as well as be certified by the Department of Social and Health Services as requiring a certain level of care. If these criteria are met, Medicaid will help pay for a portion of a person's long term care costs, whether it be in a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family home, or in-home care. The rules and regulations governing Medicaid eligibility are quite complex, and therefore, in most cases it makes sense to seek the advice of an attorney with expertise in dealing with Medicaid eligibility issues. With proper planning, significant preservation of assets and savings in long term care costs can be obtained.
Elder Law is a broad category of legal practice, but is most commonly used to refer to planning for Medicaid and Medicare benefits. Medicaid and Medicare are public benefits programs administered by federal and state governments. Although both programs are intended to aid in healthcare costs, the programs are quite different regarding the costs they pay for, and how an individual qualifies to receive benefits. Simply stated, Medicare is a system that primarily seeks to aid in payment of ordinary medical expenses associated with ongoing healthcare such as hospitalization, doctor's fees, and prescription drug expenses.
Elder Law — Eye Glasses and Book in Yakima, WA
Medicare is not intended to pay for long term care expenses such as an adult family home, assisted living facility, or in-home care, though it may pay for limited time in a Skilled Nursing Facility or a nursing home if certain criteria are met.
Unlike Medicare, which is considered an entitlement program, Medicaid is a needs based program. An applicant for Medicaid benefits must meet certain income and resource requirements, as well as be certified by the Department of Social and Health Services as requiring a certain level of care. If these criteria are met, Medicaid will help pay for a portion of a person's long term care costs, whether it be in a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family home, or in-home care. The rules and regulations governing Medicaid eligibility are quite complex, and therefore, in most cases it makes sense to seek the advice of an attorney with expertise in dealing with Medicaid eligibility issues. With proper planning, significant preservation of assets and savings in long term care costs can be obtained.
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