Blog > All
All Articles
April 12, 2022
long term care
What Are the Three Types of Long-Term Care?
Nursing homes, also called, skilled nursing, is when someone requires 24/7 care. The facilities that have skilled nursing usually will also have rehabilitation therapy programs and advanced medical services. These facilities are a long-term care option but can also be an option for short-term patients.
April 1, 2022
blog
Helping Your Elderly Parents Move
When you were a kid, you probably never imagined there would come a day when your parents needed your support more than you needed theirs. However, if your elderly parents ever opt to move, they'll likely need you to assist them. Moving is difficult for anybody, but it is challenging for seniors who have lost a lot of their mobility over the years.
March 25, 2022
long term care
What are Activities of Daily Living?
A phrase that often comes up when considering long-term care options is activities of daily living. You might be wondering what these activities are and why they are important. Activities of daily living, also known as ADLs, consist of essential tasks that most healthy individuals can perform on their own.
March 11, 2022
long term care planning
How to Protect Your Money If Your Spouse Goes into a Nursing Home
Long-term care can be very expensive, and the last thing you want is to be left destitute if your spouse requires nursing home care. So, what are you supposed to do? Fortunately, you have options to protect your hard-earned savings in the face of a care need. Allow us to clear up some misconceptions you may have about Medicaid and reveal how you can protect your assets from the nursing home.
March 7, 2022
medicaid planning
What Does Medicaid Allow for Funeral Expenses?
Medicaid allows up to $15,000, in most states, to be funded into an irrevocable funeral expense trust for funeral expenses. The funeral expenses can include the following: Funeral home fees Musicians for service Headstone Death Certificate Hearse Cemetery Fees Burial Plot Casket Flowers (will vary based on state)
March 2, 2022
long term care
How to Protect Your Assets from Nursing Home Costs
Paying for long-term nursing home care can drain anyone’s nest egg but is it a necessary evil in order to receive the care you need? No. There are options out there to help pay for care without going broke - and we can help you explore them.
February 25, 2022
long term care planning
How Much Does a Nursing Home Cost in 2022?
One of the biggest shocks for seniors planning for their long-term care is how expensive care facilities can be. At-home care and assisted living costs vary depending on the level of care required, but nursing homes are usually the most expensive since they provide hands-on, round-the clock care. Here’s what to expect when it comes to nursing home costs in 2022.
February 18, 2022
medicaid planning
What is the Medicaid Lookback Period?
If someone you love is in need of senior care or long term care, and you’re helping them apply for Medicaid eligibility, then you’ll likely come across the term “look back period”. The lookback period is an extremely important term that can help you understand how to avoid steep financial penalties.
February 11, 2022
medicaid planning
What are Countable Assets & How Do I Spend Them Down?
An aging adult applying for Medicaid may realize they have many assets but they don’t know which assets Medicaid will count and which will be uncountable. Countable assets become important as a long-term care Medicaid applicant attempts to spend down these assets to receive benefits.
February 7, 2022
senior care
How to Choose a Nursing Home: Features to Consider
If you’ve decided it’s time to move your loved one into a nursing home, you’ll want to keep an eye out for certain features to make sure your loved one is cared for appropriately. However, you’ll also want to make sure to look for any red flags, too.
February 1, 2022
medicaid planning
What is the Asset Limit for Medicaid?
The asset limit for Medicaid is around $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple where both spouses are receiving care. However, some states have different allowances. The healthy spouse of a Medicaid applicant can keep a separate allowance between about $30,000 and $145,000 in most states.
January 27, 2022
medicaid planning
Spend Down Ideas & Strategies for Medicaid Eligibility
An applicant is only allowed so many assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage but recklessly spending down your assets can lead to a lengthy penalty period.
January 21, 2022
long term care
When to Move Your Loved One into a Nursing Home
Are you caring for an elderly loved one whose condition is worsening? How do you know when it’s the right time to move them into a nursing home? Here are some tips to help you know when it’s time for your loved one to transition to a professional care facility.
December 2, 2021
medicaid planning
How to Protect Assets from the Nursing Home
If you or a loved one needs to enter a nursing home, you might be worried about losing your nest egg paying the monthly bill. Fortunately, with the right guidance, resources, and strategies, you can safeguard your assets and preserve them for your spouse or future generations.
November 17, 2021
medicaid planning
How Much Does Medicare Pay for Long-Term Care?
Many seniors are under the assumption that Medicare will cover some or all of their long-term care. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Medicare only covers a nursing home stay in specific circumstances for elderly or disabled individuals who are recovering from an injury, illness, or some other adverse health event.
November 3, 2021
long term care
How Much Does Medicaid Pay for Long-Term Care?
Medicaid is one of the most common payers of long-term care in the U.S. But how much of your care costs will Medicaid actually cover? Since Medicaid is designed to help individuals with limited income and assets, there is no standard co-pay. Instead, the amount paid by Medicaid varies depending on the recipient.
October 27, 2021
long term care
What are Long-Term Care Facilities?
As you or your loved one grow older and become unable to take care of yourself, you may require some type of long-term care. In general, these facilities can be separated into three categories: nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home-based care
December 3, 2020
medicaid planning
What Assets Can You Keep on Medicaid?
In addition to Medicaid’s income restrictions and non-financial requirements, applicants must also meet specific asset limitations. In fact, the asset qualification is typically the hardest for applicants to meet. Fortunately, not all of your assets are countable for Medicaid purposes. You can keep certain exempt assets while still qualifying for Medicaid.
November 19, 2020
medicaid planning
How to Pay for a Nursing Home Stay
The reality is that 70% of seniors will require long-term care at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many of them are unprepared for the high costs associated with the nursing home. And they’re stuck asking themselves, “How am I going to pay for this?” Well, if you’re wondering how to pay for a nursing home stay, you’re in the right place.
October 30, 2020
elder law
What is Elder Law?
As a growing number of Americans reach age 65, they encounter unique issues and problems they have likely never come across before. That’s where elder law comes in. Explore the scope of elder law and how an elder law attorney can help you address the unique challenges that come with aging.
October 15, 2020
medicaid planning
What Happens When You Get a Medicaid Denial?
Since Medicaid has such strict financial requirements and a comprehensive application process, it’s possible you might receive a denial. Fortunately, you have the right to appeal the unfavorable decision and request a fair hearing. Here's what to expect in the event of a denial.
September 24, 2020
medicaid planning
How to Complete the Medicaid Application
If you are in the Medicaid planning process, the final step in your plan is to complete the Medicaid application. Your state’s Medicaid agency will provide all the details you will need as you fill out your application. But we wanted to give you an overview of what to expect throughout the application process.
September 10, 2020
medicaid planning
The Legislative History of Medicaid
The Medicaid program has been around for a while, but it’s gone through several updates since it was first signed into law. Let’s take a journey through those legislative changes to see how we got the Medicaid program we have today, specifically as it pertains to long-term care.
August 13, 2020
medicaid planning
What are Medicaid’s Income Restrictions?
Since Medicaid is designed for individuals with limited means, you must meet specific asset and income limitations in order to qualify. It’s important to understand these restrictions before establishing a Medicaid plan and applying for benefits. So, let’s walk through the income restrictions for Medicaid.
July 30, 2020
medicaid planning
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government program funded on both the state and federal levels that is designed to provide health coverage for individuals with limited income and assets. Find out how Medicaid can help older adults pay for their long-term care.
July 16, 2020
medicaid planning
What are the Medicaid Lookback and Penalty Periods?
If a Medicaid applicant has given a gift during the lookback period, they may be subject to a penalty period, during which they will be ineligible for benefits. Being aware of the lookback and penalty periods is crucial for anyone planning for long-term care.
July 9, 2020
medicaid planning
What Happens When One Spouse Goes into a Nursing Home?
When only one spouse requires nursing home care, you may have trouble determining the best way to pay for care in order to prevent impoverishment for the spouse at home. Learn how each spouse has different financial qualifications for Medicaid.
July 8, 2020
medicaid planning
What Does Medicaid Cover in a Nursing Home?
Medicaid coverage for nursing home care is unlimited as long as you remain financially eligible. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicaid covers in a nursing home as well as some of the additional amenities you may be charged for.
July 8, 2020
medicaid planning
How to Spend Down Assets for Medicaid
If you are facing a nursing home stay, chances are you’ve considered Medicaid. But what happens if you have too many assets to qualify? Fortunately, you have several options to spend down those assets and accelerate your Medicaid eligibility.
June 30, 2020
long term care planning
How Can an Attorney Help with Long-Term Care?
Every long-term care situation involves its own unique set of challenges, many of which can be eased by working with an elder law attorney. Learn about what elder law attorneys do and how they can help you as you navigate your long-term care.
June 30, 2020
long term care planning
Medicare vs. Medicaid: Paying for Long-Term Care
Although the terms sound alike and the programs may seem similar on the surface, Medicare and Medicaid have important differences for you to be aware of, especially when it comes to skilled and long-term nursing care.
June 22, 2020
long term care
What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living and a Nursing Home?
For many families, making the choice between assisted living and nursing home care can be difficult. To help you make a well-informed decision, we explore some of the key attributes that separate assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
June 4, 2020
long term care
What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Since most people have a strong understanding of nursing homes, confusion often arises from the term “skilled nursing,” which defines the services offered at the facility. Get a stronger understanding of what a skilled nursing facility is and how it may fit into your long-term care plan.
May 6, 2020
medicaid planning
What is a Medicaid Compliant Annuity?
If you are currently paying out of pocket for the nursing home, you may benefit from a Medicaid Compliant Annuity (MCA) – one of the most powerful Medicaid planning tools available. Continue reading to learn more about Medicaid Compliant Annuities and find out if it’s the right product for you.