San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
HELP YOUR LOVED ONE GET QUALITY NURSING HOME CARE WHILE SAVING FAMILY ASSETS
Don’t be fooled by the myth of the “Medi-cal Spend Down!”
The Long Term Care Medi-cal program pays for care in skilled nursing facilities. This is not an insurance program, but a form of Federal assistance for families facing the crushing costs of nursing care. This program offers significant benefits to most of the people we see. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about Long Term Care Medi-cal. As a result, many people who could qualify never apply. Much of this misinformation is dispensed by professionals who believe they understand the program, but do not. Most people first hear about Medi-cal Long Term Care coverage when a loved one is hospitalized and then discharged to a “rehabilitation” or skilled nursing facility. Medicare or insurance will cover care for a while…but not long. The maximum period Medicare will pay for is 100 days, but usually stops paying after 20 days. For those who do not have long term care insurance, the choice then becomes to pay the cost themselves, or apply for Long Term Care Medi-cal. Those who must pay from their own funds find that facility costs exceed $8,000.00 per month. Few could afford this for long. The clear alternative is Long Term Care Medi-cal, which will pay up to 100% of nursing home expenses, with no limitation on length of stay or coverage. Unlike other Medi-cal programs, your and your spouse’s income is irrelevant in determining eligibility. Some may need to pay a partial “share of cost,” but many will not. Even those with a relatively high share of cost pay far less than the private pay rate. As a result of misinformation, many people think they must spend their assets down to less than $2,000 to qualify for Long Term Care Medi-cal. This is almost never true. Many assets are considered exempt or unavailable and not counted in the qualification process. There is no penalty if you move assets that are not exempt into assets that are. There are also substantial allowances and planning opportunities available for those who know and use them. But don’t expect health care or Medi-cal eligibility workers to properly educate you about this! Though the COVID-19 crisis has made visiting family more difficult for now, it has changed none of your rights under the law to stay in the facility while applying for Long Term Care Medi-cal. Whether advance or crisis planning, the majority of those who consult with us can qualify for Long Term Care Medi-cal legally preserving most, if not all, of their assets. We can help minimize the “share of cost,” and avoid recovery claims by the State. The rules about Medical qualification are complicated. Many thousands of your family’s dollars may be at stake. Every year thousands of people unnecessarily private pay because they don’t know their rights. Don’t let this describe your family. Before assuming you will not qualify for Medi-cal, please consult with us at San Diego Elder Law Center. We can be contacted at (619) 235-4357 or you can visit our website at www.sandiegoelderlaw.com.