Why Medicaid Eligibility Matters If You Need Nursing Home Care: A Guide for Annapolis Residents

ANNAPOLIS • MILLERSVILLE • BOWIE • WALDORF

WHY MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY MATTERS IF

YOU NEED NURSING HOME CARE

A Guide for Annapolis Residents


MANY SENIORS NEED NURSING HOME CARE

Around 70 percent of seniors 65 and up will eventually spend some time in a nursing home at

some point during their life.


A senior 65 or older has a 40 percent change of ending up

spending time in a nursing home, and a 20 percent chance of

spending five or more years in a nursing home


NURSING HOMES ARE EXPENSIVE


The median annual cost of a semi-private room in a Maryland nursing

home is $113,150.


The median annual cost of a private room in a Maryland nursing home is

$110,230


MOST INSURERS WON’T PAY FOR THE TYPES OF NURSING

CARE PATIENTS NEED


Most insurance providers, including Medicare, limit coverage for nursing homes to situations where skilled

services are needed.


Examples of skilled services could include changing bandages after

surgery.


The kinds of routine custodial care most nursing home patients need is

not going to be covered.


MEDICAID CAN PROVIDE COVERAGE


Medicaid may be the only available source of coverage for nursing care.


This could mean you end up paying privately for a nursing home out of your own pocket if you don’t qualify

for Medicaid.


MEDICAID HAS RESOURCE LIMITS

There are strict resource limits for Medicaid.


If you own too many assets- as many seniors do- you cannot get

benefits until you spend down your assets.


MEDICAID PLANNING CAN HELP

Medicaid planning can help you to get coverage while protecting your nest egg.


With assistance from a Medicaid planning lawyer, you may be able

to make sure you get covered while still keeping money and property to

leave a legacy for loved ones.


PLANNING ALSO PREVENTS ESTATE

RECOVERY


Making a Medicaid plan can also keep your assets safe from Medicaid estate recovery.


Medicaid estate recovery requires states to make claims against your estate to try to recoup Medicaid

money spent on your care if you’re over 55 or Medicaid money spend

on nursing homes.


ACTING IN ADVANCE TO MAKE YOUR PLAN


Medicaid looks back five years to see if you transferred any assets

when deciding if you’re eligible for Medicaid.


Asset transfers result in a period of disqualification.


This means you need to make a Medicaid plan early on.


GETTING LEGAL HELP


Contact an experienced Maryland Medicaid planning lawyer to make your plans and protect your assets.


Or visit our website www.sinclairprosserlaw.com

Nicole Livingston

Jon J. Gasior

Colleen SinclairProsser

Victor A. Lembo

Law

Why Medicaid Eligibility Matters If You Need Nursing Home Care: A Guide for Annapolis Residents