Q: What is Medicaid?
A: Medicaid is a government program that enables people to fund their medical bills in a nursing home.

Q: How do I get my loved one on to Medicaid?
A: It can be a rather overwhelming process for some people, but our expert Financial Medicaid Coordinator’s are here to better serve and help you through this process.

Q: How much money can I make to be Medicaid eligible?
A: For single people it is $787; and for a married couple it is $2,739 combined.

Q: What if I make more than that?
A: It is called a surplus or overage, and you would have to pay that overage to the nursing home e.g. if a person’s total income is $1,500 we subtract 787 from the total income 1500 – 787 = 713. This $713 will need to be paid monthly to the nursing home.

Q: How much money can I have in the bank?
A: A single person can have up to $13,800 in resources and married couples $109,560

Q: If I am over the resource level can I still get Medicaid?
A: Yes you can if you are over the level by a few thousand dollars; by doing an irrevocable pre-need burial or funeral.

Q: If I am over the resource level by a lot; can I still get onto Medicaid?
A: Yes you can by consulting an elder care attorney who would do what’s called financial planning.

Q: If I have Medicaid in the community is there anything to be done when entering a facility?
A: Absolutely, the Medicaid needs to be converted to nursing home Medicaid. It is like applying again for Medicaid, but with more documents.

Q: What documentation is needed to obtain nursing home Medicaid?
A: All insurance cards, proof of identity, proof of citizenship, proof of income, deed, rent receipt or copy of the lease, any bills, tax returns going back 4 years, banking going back 5 years, and any resource or assets going back 5 years, face and cash value of life insurance policy

Q: Do I have to cash in my life insurance policy?
A: No, in most cases not; it’s just that the cash value is a resource

Q: Are there any exemptions for Medicaid?
A: yes, an irrevocable prepaid burial or funeral.

Q: What if I own a house?
A: If it’s only for Short Term as long as the house is worth less than $750,000; the property does not need to be sold.

Q: If a person needs to be in a facility for Long Term care; does the property need to be sold?
A: If a person is married than the house can be transferred to the spouse who lives in it. If the person is single and living alone then the property needs to be sold at fair market value. If however there’s a child care giver for over two years who lives in the house with the patient; then the property need not to be sold.