As long term care needs increase and families want to keep their loved ones at home, hiring home health aides often becomes necessary.  Paying an aide, however, if not done correctly, can cause Medicaid ineligibility years later, after funds run out.   Consider the following very common scenario. Jane hires a home

A common scenario that I am seeing with increasing frequency is the following fact pattern.  Dad owns a home but not much else.  He needs nursing home care but canât get a mortgage to tap into the equity to pay for the care.  The home is listed for sale but

A few months ago I wrote about the difficulties qualifying for assisted living Medicaid.  (See 3/23/09 blog post).  Last year I wrote about the risks of trying to handle a Medicaid application yourself.  (See 10/5/09 blog post).  A recent case we handled in our office illustrates both issues.  John had been

Some months ago I wrote about the couple who, not understanding the peculiarities of the Medicaid rules, did not spend down in a timely manner and, as a result, lost six months of Medicaid eligibility.  Even though the money was eventually spent those lost months could not be recovered and

Last week I wrote about Dad who gifted a large sum to his children and within 6 months needed long term care.  Because the money had been spent and could not be returned I had to explain to the daughter that Dad would not be eligible for Medicaid for 4

In February, 2006 Congress passed some significant changes to the Medicaid laws that created some very dangerous traps for unprepared families needing long term care. At the time I wrote about a case in which Granddad gifted his money to  Granddaughter who moved in to care for him. When she

Janeâs husband, John, was recently hospitalized and nursing home care was looking more than likely.  At that time, their assets totaled approximately $150,000 (not including their home and one car, both of which are âexemptâ for Medicaid purposes). Jane went to the Board of Social Services to see what benefits

Mary and Joe own their home and have $150,000 in savings.  They have wills leaving everything to each other and then alternatively to their children, but they have done nothing to address their long term care needs.  Joe is now about to enter a nursing home and Mary is faced

As the current economic crisis deepens, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are heading into uncharted waters, in so many respects.  Specifically, however, I am talking about the long term care arena, and a recent phone call I received highlights this so clearly.  John called concerning his father.  Dad owns

Dad has been living in an assisted living facility for 3 years at a cost of $4500 per month.  He likes it there, is safe and well cared for.  There is one small problem.  He is running out of money and the family is becoming desperate.  Fortunately, some states have Medicaid