Even if your loved one is in a nursing home, it's not too late to take action.
Nursing Home Asset Protection
In Rhode Island, long-term care in a nursing home can cost over $100,000 a year. While Medicare does pay for skilled care in a nursing home, it does not pay for long-term custodial care. Often, nursing home residents or their families are advised to pay for long-term care with their own savings and then apply for assistance from Medicaid, a means-tested program that does pay for long-term custodial care. This advice from well meaning friends, nursing homes, and other professionals is not the only option available. Despite what you may have heard, it may not be too late to take action to protect your loved one's life savings.
Reduce your Loved One's Monthly Nursing Home Bill
In Rhode Island, there are time-tested legal strategies that may be used to significantly reduce your loved one's monthly nursing home bill and preserve resources. If your loved one is privately paying for their nursing home care or will be in the near future, you may not have to spend-down all of their assets on their nursing home care until they qualify for Medicaid.
Preserve Savings for a Spouse or Disabled Child
Spouses of nursing home residents experience a great deal of stress. Paying $9,000 or $10,000 per month for their loved one's nursing home care has a significant impact on a couple's finances. The spouse in the community is left wondering how they are going to live when the money is being spent at such a rapid pace. Thankfully, there are certain protections for spouses and disabled children within the regulations of the Medicaid program. Some people are not aware of these protections or, if they are, do not understand how they apply to their particular situation.
Receive Assistance with the Medicaid Application
To receive long-term care benefits in Rhode Island through the Medicaid program an application must be filed with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Completing the application can be an overwhelming process. That is why we prepare and submit Medicaid applications for clients. As the initial contact we deal with the Department of Human Services throughout the entire application process. That way you have more time to spend with your loved one.
Avoid Medicaid Qualification Problems Early
Qualifying for Medicaid can present problems for people. Sometimes, acting on incorrect information or bad advice, people attempt their own Medicaid planning. Unfortunately, the results can be disastrous. By consulting with an attorney experienced in Medicaid qualification, you will be able address any potential problems early in the application process.