Medicaid Planning & Veterans Benefits

Placing a loved one in a long-term care facility is a stressful time for families. Medicaid benefits are designed to help pay nursing home costs through the Institutional Care Program (ICP). Benefits may also be available to help with the costs of assisted living or care at home through the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program (HCBS).

Medicaid is a federally and state funded program with many technical laws and regulations that must be met in order to qualify for benefits. Medicaid law and regulations change frequently, often with minimal notice. Medicaid laws vary drastically from state to state, so it is critical to work with a qualified elder law attorney in your state to get accurate information and advice. Bottom line, what works in one state may not work in the next.

Benefits to help pay the costs of long-term care are available to qualified veterans and their spouses or surviving spouse through the Veterans Administration. The qualifications for VA benefits are different from the Medicaid qualifications.

To qualify for Medicaid and/or VA benefits, the patient must have limited income and “countable” resources. Not all resources are countable by Medicaid or the VA. Techniques are available to convert “countable” resources into resources which are not countable by Medicaid.

Our goal in asset protection is to protect as much of the family assets as possible for the benefit of the patient and ultimately, the family, and also qualify for Medicaid and/or VA benefits to help pay for long-term care costs.

Contact our Elder Law Attorneys for an appointment to answer your questions and provide you with peace of mind.