Author Topic: Questions on applying for Medicaid  (Read 3243 times)

Nords

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Questions on applying for Medicaid
« on: January 13, 2016, 12:36:00 PM »
Here's an oddball financial question:
I'm seeking a Medicaid reference or resource for Colorado. 

I'm the conservator for my Dad, who's in a Denver care facility with Alzheimer's.  (He's doing well, yet after seven years he's deep into mid-stage.)  He's finished the payout on his long-term care insurance and he's spending down his assets.  My financial projections indicate that he'll run out of money in 2023 (in seven years), although he'll still have some pension & Social Security income.  He and the care facility are both happy with each other so he'll probably apply for Medicaid with the help of their staff.

I'm generally familiar with Medicaid, but I'd like to research the application process as well as the timeline.  The state Medicaid website seems to have a good FAQ and an online application, but I'm not smart enough yet to know what pitfalls or chronology I'm missing.

I looked into VA Aid & Attendance, but his 90 days of conscription in 1958 doesn't meet the criteria of "one day beginning or ending during a period of war".  As near as I can tell from his DD-214, his training was followed by another seven years of Inactive Ready Reserve with zero good years or anything considered a disability issue.  There do not appear to be any other veteran's benefits.

This is a straight spend-down.  I'm not trying to gift assets or exploit financial loopholes, neither legal nor ethical.  (Please, let's try to avoid that debate or at least start a separate thread.)  There's simply a strong possibility that we'll need to file a Medicaid application and I want to have a deeper understanding of the state rules before I screw up a five-year lookback or some other qualifier.  I'll have help from the care facility (and perhaps from a geriatric care manager) but I want to educate myself first. 

As I understand the system-- and I sincerely hope this is not a fantasy-- when Dad goes on Medicaid then he'll continue to live at the care facility.  He'll turn over his pension and Social Security as part of his monthly payments, and Medicaid might reimburse some of the rest of the facility's charges.  Please correct any misunderstanding I may have, because home care is not an option for either my brother in Denver or me in Hawaii.

Any in-depth websites or books specific to Colorado Medicaid?  Any other suggestions?  Any lessons learned?

Yeah, I know... somebody should write an eBook.  It's on the list.

kendallf

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Re: Questions on applying for Medicaid
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2016, 02:15:53 PM »
I did this for my step-father last year, with the help of a nursing home facilitator who specialized in Medicaid applications.  The outcome was basically as you say although in his case he had a wife (my mother) who was eligible to keep receiving his SS benefits and he had no pension.  So, in his case, Medicaid picked up the tab entirely until his death a few months later.


Nords

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Re: Questions on applying for Medicaid
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2016, 11:32:48 PM »
I did this for my step-father last year, with the help of a nursing home facilitator who specialized in Medicaid applications.  The outcome was basically as you say although in his case he had a wife (my mother) who was eligible to keep receiving his SS benefits and he had no pension.  So, in his case, Medicaid picked up the tab entirely until his death a few months later.
Thanks, Kendallf.  My Dad's a widower, but otherwise that sounds like the path we'll be using in 7-8 years.

Anybody else?

DebtFreeBy25

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Re: Questions on applying for Medicaid
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2016, 12:01:05 PM »
As I understand the system-- and I sincerely hope this is not a fantasy-- when Dad goes on Medicaid then he'll continue to live at the care facility.  He'll turn over his pension and Social Security as part of his monthly payments, and Medicaid might reimburse some of the rest of the facility's charges.  Please correct any misunderstanding I may have, because home care is not an option for either my brother in Denver or me in Hawaii.

Yes, this is correct. Most resources on applying for Medicaid focus on either the mechanics of the process (which you already understand) or how to shelter assets (which you aren't interested in pursuing). Your father's case seems to be relatively simple. First, he has to spend down all of his assets which will include his home's value if he currently owns one. Then, his POA will apply for Medicaid on his behalf with the help of the facility. Once he's approved, he'll continue to live there with all of his income going towards his care. For some seniors it's necessary to consider spending money and extras, but it doesn' t sound like this will be a concern for your father. Kudos to you for doing your homework and learning the process!

Nords

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Re: Questions on applying for Medicaid
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2016, 08:03:54 AM »
Once he's approved, he'll continue to live there with all of his income going towards his care. For some seniors it's necessary to consider spending money and extras, but it doesn' t sound like this will be a concern for your father. Kudos to you for doing your homework and learning the process!
Thanks-- good to know the system works as designed.  I'm always looking for the surprises.