A stay in a nursing home can potentially wipe out the life savings of all but the wealthiest families. Medicaid does cover nursing home stays, but since Medicaid is a needs based program, individuals must be below relatively strict financial limits to qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage.
The information discussed and/or provided is not intended as legal advice and persons should not rely on anything posted on this blog. Please also be advised that no attorney-client relationship is established until the firm has been contacted by telephone and an appointment made to discuss your situation with us.
Estate Planning for the Medicaid Community Spouse
June 11, 2020
When planning Medicaid eligibility for someone who may need a nursing home stay, the focus is typically on making the spouse who needs care eligible for Medicaid nursing home coverage through shifting assets to the spouse who does not need nursing home care. In this scenario the spouse who does not need care is referred to as the community spouse. After the spouse no longer needs nursing home care, the couple’s assets remain in the name of the community spouse instead of being recovered by the state Medicaid agency.
Coronavirus Response and New Drive by Signings
May 27, 2020
In response to the coronavirus, Martha C. Brown & Associates is now conducting business remotely. For the time being, our physical office is closed, but the firm is still open for business, over the phone, during our normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
New Social Security Advance Designation of Representative Payees
May 5, 2020
Social Security now allows for the advance designation of representative payees for beneficiaries. The advance designation is available for current beneficiaries of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Special Veterans benefits. An advance designation can also be made when applying to begin receiving the above benefits.
SSI Recipients to Receive Stimulus Payments from CARES Act
April 20, 2020
Due to the passage of the CARES Act to help mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 virus, SSI recipients are eligible to receive payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent child.
If an SSI recipient has no dependent children, no additional action is required to receive their money.
Medicaid Beds and Nursing Home Care
April 6, 2020
Paying for care in a nursing home can be a major expense that can drain the savings of almost any family. Due to this potential expense, it is advised that individuals plan for the possibility of a nursing home stay with a local, experienced elder law attorney to minimize their out-of-pocket costs.
New Coronavirus Nursing Home Guidelines
March 21, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, has issued new guidelines to protect nursing home residents from the threat of the coronavirus.
The new guidelines encourage nursing homes to restrict all visitors except for compassionate care situations, such as end-of-life visits. When these visits do occur, nursing homes are encouraged to make sure that visitors, staff, and residents follow safety protocols. These protocols include the use of masks, sanitizers, and restricting the visits to a single room. The guidelines also encourage nursing homes to end visits from people performing nonessential services, such as barbers and stylists.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits
March 16, 2020
For veterans, one alternative to Medicaid nursing home benefits are VA Aid and Attendance benefits. This benefit may be especially attractive to a veteran, or their surviving spouse, who requires in-home care or assistance, but does not necessarily require a full service nursing home.
Medicaid Nursing Home Coverage and Health Insurance
March 5, 2020
One potential consideration when applying for Medicaid nursing home coverage is whether or not to continue paying for additional health insurance through Medicare.
Qualifying for Medicaid nursing home coverage would also make individuals eligible for health insurance through Medicaid. Medicaid, known as MO HealthNet in Missouri, can vary significantly from state to state. Additionally, Medicaid health insurance also exempts individuals in nursing homes from additional out-of-pocket expenses for health care.
Retirement Accounts and Medicaid Eligibility
February 26, 2020
Retirement accounts, such as IRAs, are a major asset that can affect a person’s eligibility to qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage. These assets count toward the asset limit to qualify an individual for Medicaid nursing home coverage. Unfortunately, taking early withdrawals from retirement accounts to help bring a person’s assets below the qualifying limit can trigger tax penalties. However, there are planning techniques that can allow people to qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage, preserve the value of their retirement accounts, and minimize their tax burden.
Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC assist clients with Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the surrounding areas including Arnold, Ballwin, Barnhart, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, Bonne Terre, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Cedar Hill, Chesterfield, Clayton, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Crystal City, Des Peres, DeSoto, Ellisville, Farmington, Fenton, Festus, Ferguson, Florissant, Fredericktown, Frontenac, Hazelwood, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, House Springs, Imperial, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lake St. Louis, Manchester, Maplewood, Maryland Heights, Mehlville, Normandy, O'Fallon, Olivette, Pacific, Pevely, Richmond Heights, St. Ann, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Peters, Ste. Genevieve, Sunset Hills, Town & Country, University City, Union, Valley Park, Washington, Webster Groves, Wentzville , Wildwood.