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A Place for Mom's Family

An Online Community about Eldercare

Medicaid Eligiblity

Last post 04-15-2008 3:32 PM by Jenny Reeves. 1 replies.
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  • 04-14-2008 5:48 PM

    Medicaid Eligiblity

     

    I found your website and found it very helpful in answering some questions concerning the Medicaid process.

     

    However, I have a  few questions that I need to find an answer to concerning the Medicaid Eligibility for Nursing Home Care.

     

    My mother needs to go into a nursing home and we are trying to determine if she will qualify under Medicaid.

     

    First of all my parents live in Villa Rica Georgia and we live in Douglaville Georgia.  If need be I can contact a local elder care attorney but I do not have any contacts as of yet.
     

    My parents combine income is what they get from social security which is about $2600.oo a month.  Mother has never worked so she gets hers based on what Dad qualifies for.  Her amount is about $900 a month and the rest is Dad's.  They have no real assets to speak of other than Dad has a term life insurance policy worth $100,000 with her listed as the beneficary.  Dad is planning on changing that to the kids.
     

    They do not own a home , they have one older auto and some household furnshings.  That is it.  Dad worked up until last September when she had a heart attack and was hosptilzied for an extended period of time.  Her health is very bad and we fill he can no longer take care of her at home.
     

    I had read somewhere there is a "community Spouse " clause that would allow him to keep part of her income to meet a certain threshold of income.

     

    So my questions are as follows.

     

    1.  Would she qualify for Medicaid nursing home care.

     

    2.  How quickly can we get that done and how?

     

    3. Will Dad be without any of her income under this circumstance?

     

    Thank you for your time and if you feel I need to consult a local attorney please let me know.

     

    Thank you for putting this information on the web it is a great source of informaiton for those who do not know the law and find themselves trying to "weed" through the myths floating around out there concerning this process.

     

    Tammy P


  • 04-15-2008 3:32 PM In reply to

    Re: Medicaid Eligiblity

    Hi Tammy,

    Thank you for visiting our site and I hope this information is helpful.  Medicaid can be a little confusing so you are doing the right thing by researching all information.  Here are a few websites that should provide you with more information and an eldercare attorney can be helpful for you as well.  There are agencies that can provide elderlaw services at low fees too. 

    You are right that there is a "spousal support" clause.  Congress established a very complicated formula to determine the basic income allowance for the Community Spouse (CS).  Currently, the CS is entitled to a "minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA).  When the CS has less personal income than the minimums (Set by each State), it may be possible for the CS to retain some of the patient's income or additional assets to generate income up to the MMMNA that is set by each State.  States now follow the "Income First" rule.  This means that the income of the resident must be used first to bring the CS income up to the MMMNA before using assets to provide that additional income.  The income and lifestyle needs of the Community Spouse are now considered.  You will need to contact your state's Medicaid office for exact information on their minimum MMMNA.

    http://www.cms.hhs.gov/  and   http://dch.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,31446711_31944826,00.html

    At A Place for Mom we have professional Eldercare Advisors standing by to help you.  Once you're connected with your own personal eldercare advisor, he or she can provide senior housing options and information.  There are two ways you can be connected to an advisor: call our toll-free number at 877-MOM-DAD9 (666-3239) or visit our website and fill out a brief assessment form (www.aplaceformom.com).  Our assistance is free to families as we are reimbursed for our services by many senior care providers around the country.   The nursing home admissions department can assist you with the paperwork and your mom's eligibility status.

     I hope this information is helpful.

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