Medicaid Facts Revealed
The mere fact that nursing home care now costs over $60,000 per year explains why even middle income families must learn about Medicaid when someone they love needs a nursing home.
As the regulations tighten, denials for Medicaid are on the increase. Some Geriatric Care Managers and Lawyers who specialize in Elder Law are helping families get qualified. The simple truth is that ICP Medicaid (nursing home Medicaid) has become difficult to get without professional help. Families who try on their own and fail, must then pay privately to the nursing home for the months they were denied. That is at least a $6,000 mistake. It costs much less than that to hire a Geriatric Care Manager. In some cases, lawyers are needed to draft certain documents for Medicaid. Families looking for help should seek professional guidance before applying for Medicaid on their own.
What Medicaid Covers
Nursing home Medicaid is the only Medicaid program that pays full room and board, prescriptions, medical care, hospitalizations, and therapy. It covers some transportation.
Medicaid Waiver for Home or Assisted Living will pay a part of room and board, some medications and treatments. In the home it may pay for limited visits by nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants. A gatekeeper decides what services you can have.
- No Medicaid program in Florida pays for 24-hour care in your home.
Veterans and their Widows Unaware of Pensions
- A Veteran who served during WAR TIME and was honorably discharged may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Pension if they are homebound or need caregivers or assisted living. These pensions may pay the veteran around $1800/month. A widow of a veteran may apply for a widow’s pension and get around $976/month.
- The VA, unlike Medicaid, takes your unique situation into consideration. Your Net Income is what is left after you pay for drugs and medical care. A detailed budget will help your case. Your doctor must complete and sign a medical questionnaire.
Free Prescriptions Do Exist!
Each pharmaceutical company has a program which makes some of the drugs they produce FREE for people who meet financial eligibility criteria. We have found the financial criteria to be lenient. Let us know what drugs you take, the dosage, and frequency, and we can find out if your drug is on the program. If so, you may be able to receive several of the medications you take, FOR FREE.