Elder Law
Long-Term Care and Medicaid Planning
Serving Chesterfield, MO - Columbia, MO - Hannibal, MO, Lake Ozark, MO - Quincy, IL
It is an unfortunate fact of life that an extremely high percentage of people will need long term care. Most of us will face at least a temporary disability and many persons will face a long term disability. In fact, according to the National Center for Disease Control, three-fourths of patients needing long term home health care services received skilled care, and 51% percent needed help with at least one activity of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, or care needed for a severe cognitive impairment). The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that over nine million people will need long term care this year and that 70% of all persons over age 65 will need some type of long term care services during their lifetime.
Long term care is expensive. Medicare pays for a maximum of one hundred days, and only under certain conditions. The rest of it will be paid by you, assuming your assets are “countable resources,” or by your family or the federal government.
Many people want to avoid the powerlessness of being stripped completely of their assets by long term care needs. For those persons, pre-planning is an option.
“I live in Alexandria, Virginia. Near the Supreme Court chambers is a toll bridge across the Potomac. When in a rush, I pay the dollar toll and get home early. However, I usually drive outside the downtown section of the city and cross the Potomac on a free bridge. This bridge was placed outside the downtown Washington, DC area to serve a useful social service, getting drivers to drive the extra mile and help alleviate congestion during the rush hour. If I went over the toll bridge and through the barrier without paying the toll, I would be committing tax evasion. If, however, I drive the extra mile and drive outside the city of Washington to the free bridge, I am using a legitimate, logical and suitable method of tax avoidance, and am performing a useful social service by doing so. For my tax evasion, I should be punished. For my tax avoidance, I should be commended. The tragedy of life today is that so few people know that the free bridge even exists.”
- Justice Louis Brandeis, US Supreme Court
Medicare Resources
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. Subject to certain federal requirements, each state implements its own regulations on how the program is managed. Medicaid is not an entitlement program like Medicare, but rather a form of welfare. Medicaid eligibility is determined after the proper application is submitted to the state. There are many Medicaid insurance programs available, from basic medical coverage to nursing home programs.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Illinois Department of Aging provides a wealth of information for seniors and care givers.
We assist seniors and their families in making the tough decisions regarding long-term care planning, including whether Medicaid eligibility may be an option.
Our goal is to not only get clients suitably qualified for Medicaid and protect their assets under the law, but also to utilize those rules to accomplish your personal and family objectives.
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