Medicaid and Seniors

When an at-home spouse dies before a nursing home spouse, how does that affect Medicaid? Learn how to maintain Medicaid eligibility after the death of a spouse.

What happens if you or your family member must move from one state to another and then apply for Medicaid? How does moving to a new state affect Medicaid eligibility?

This path of inheritance is the normal distribution under many states' "intestacy statute" (the law setting forth the distribution of the property of a decedent with no will).

Reviewing a senior’s ownership interest in their home often comes into play when creating a financial strategy that includes qualifying for Medicaid.

It might not be a good idea for a senior to live on their own as they age. A better solution may be to move in with an adult child who owns their own home and purchase a "life estate" in their house.

Applying for Medicaid for an aging parent can be tricky. One caregiver describes his personal experience navigating the Medicaid application, dealing with the government and the red tape that comes with applying for Medicaid.

Medicaid will pay for certain services for eligible seniors who reside in an assisted living community. However, the cost of room and board isn’t covered.

Annuities allow investors to receive a steady income stream in retirement. It is one strategy to consider when the time comes that a senior parent must move to an assisted living community or nursing home.

Sometimes couples are willing to take the big step of obtaining a divorce in order to protect their assets, so that the ill spouse can qualify for Medicaid without impoverishing the well spouse.

Medicaid isn’t in the business of “taking” seniors’ homes. But when a nursing home resident on Medicaid dies, the state may seek repayment by filing a claim against their estate, which usually includes exempt assets like their primary residence.

Medicare does not cover the cost of adult day care, but seniors can receive financial assistance and respite care services through Medicaid, the VA and other community support programs.

Low-income seniors with limited assets may be able to receive more comprehensive health care coverage through both Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicare and Medicaid’s PACE program is an optional benefit that provides home- and community-based care for older adults who are at risk of nursing home placement.

Medicaid never pays for everything associated with assisted living, even if your mom has early Alzheimer's.

Yes, you can rent the home while your parents are in a nursing home and on Medicaid.

If the bonds are jointly owned, 50% belongs to the individual applying for assistance and that is what is counted and looked at by Medicaid.

An individual's disability income must be applied to nursing home bills before Medicaid will pick up the difference.

If an elder's Medicaid long-term health care benefits run out, assisted living facilities and nursing homes are legally allowed to ask elders who can no longer pay to leave.

Should caregivers and elders use advice from neighbors and friends when planning their Medicaid coverage?

Medicaid considers a senior’s primary residence an exempt asset in most cases, but owning a home comes with hefty ongoing costs. If an elder has limited income and assets, how do their property taxes, insurance premiums and utility bills get paid?