Medicaid

Good health is important to everyone. It is everyone's greatest hope that they will never need to go to a nursing home, but the reality is that more than half the US population will require long term care at some point in their lives. For couples over the age of 65, there is a 75% chance that at least one partner will need long term care.

In 2006, the national average daily rate for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $183.00; or an average annual cost of $66,795.00. Costs are expected to rise at a rate of 10% annually. If you cannot afford to pay for medical care or the expenses of a nursing home, help may be available.

The Medical Assistance Program, usually known as Medicaid, may make it possible for you to get the care that you need. Medicaid is a federal program. However, the program is administered by the state and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Medicaid is available to US citizens and qualified aliens.

Medicaid provides health insurance for low income and needy people. These individuals include persons who are aged, blind, or disabled and whose household income and resources do not exceed the Medicaid income and resource standards. The allowable income and resources vary depending upon family size. Medicaid coverage is automatically given to individuals receiving certain other public assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

In addition, persons with high medical expenses for nursing home care may also qualify for Medicaid. There are special rules for counting resources and income in order to obtain nursing home coverage. You also must be medically qualified in order to qualify for these benefits.

The rules regarding Medicaid changed drastically in 2006 after the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (or DRA.). Our services include assistance in understanding these new rules, Medicaid planning to enable you to qualify for benefits in the future, in the actual preparation and filing a Medicaid application, and in certain Medicaid appeals if eligibility is denied or benefits are terminated.