I need help- I have very little income- working part time and trying to survive- my DH has dementia, is in a nursing facility but I must get him on medicaid. Newspaper today said affordable health care act now able to get people on medicaid without all the tons of paperwork and problems but gave no details. I need to do this soon but don't know where to get help I can understand- all websites so confusing. Can anyone of you help me? Many thanks, ColetteR
Colette, I know nothing about Medicaid, but I would ask the nursing facility to help you with the paperwork.....they deal with it every day and should be able to help you with it.
I know some people have been helped by NHs in doing the Medicaid paperwork.
I have no idea if Medicaid is easier to obtain than in the past. If it is it might be only for states that are participating in Medicaid expansion.
If you have any assets to protect, such as a house, you should get an Eldercare Lawyer from your state who is Medicaid certified. These lawyers keep up with Medicaid rules, which change every year and are different for every state.
As a spouse you are entitled to retain your home (even though a lein might be put on it if you die or the house is soldd), a car and $X (this varies by state).
Can you provide a reference for the newspaper article here?
My DH was in a nursing home and on Medicaid. The elder law attny wanted $6,000.00 to do the paperwork. The NH office did it for nothing. I live in Florida.
Colette, there are Medicaid Specialists at the Veterans Home who helped me fill out all the paperwork. You know where you signed the papers to admit Jim? Well you go straight back & the office is there. I should be there on Saturday & I will show you where to go. In fact one of the ladies works on Saturday & she might even be there. Elaine PS if you want to e-mail me my address is in my profile, just click on my name.
Some states, (35 I think including Montana) did not accept the Federal dollars to expand the Medicaid program for low-income "none-SSI" people. The first thing that I would do is verify if you live in a state that did or did not expand the Medicaid program. Depending on your income level, you can purchase medical insurance (for you and your DH) and receive subsidities to help pay for it. To be eligible for the subsidities, you need to be above a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. If you fall below this percentage, you will not be eligible for the subsidities. If you fall below the percentage level, and If you live in a state that DID expand their Medicaid Program, you would then be eligible for Medicaid. If your income falls below the percentage level and you live in a state that DID NOT expand their Medicaid program then two things happen to you: you do not qualify for the subsidities AND you do not qualify for Medicaid. If this happens to be the case then applying for SSI for your DH is the only option. From what I understand, doctors' offices and local community health agencies can help you run these calculations to determine your eligibility. I hope that this makes sense about the Affordable Care Act makes sense.
ElaineH's suggestion about consulting a Medicaid Specialist and Carolyn's about asking the nursing home for help are really good ones.
Ask the nursing facility, they may help you apply; or if not, they should know where you should go. I went to our local medicaid office on my own and got a resource assessment and then decided I didn't want to do that. You will need copies of a zillion documents. Google your state for medicaid eligibility and requirements. If you don't have all the documentation, you will have to go back. It's a nightmare.
Before I found this board I went to two eldercare lawyers for Medicaid advice. I couldn't deal with what the first one said so thought I needed a second opinion. It was different, but not really any better. This was all before my husband was placed. As it turned out he went to an alf where Medicaid would not have been accepted anyway.
I agree with Vickie*; it would have been a nightmare, right alongside guardianship issues.
I have been paying for AARP prescription benefits for self and spouse- now that he is in nursing home and I am applying for medicaid, do I still pay AARP or what? I just got a huge bill from medical company for his meds… thanks, coletteR