Among Friends

[Ronettes]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Ronettes wrote:

Medicaid is only available for those who have no assets (less than $3,000 in total).

A social worker told me that.

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@Ronettes And there is a 5-year lookback.

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And I've been told that the medicaid application wants you to sign over any assets that you have, which they will remove from you when you have bills.

In other words, they will remove all assets in your name.

Medicaid is tricky, if you have no bank accounts whatsoever, no home in your name, etc. then it is actually for the poor.

[cheriere]

Wow, I've never heard of that. It must be new.  I know single and widowed  people who have very little that receive Medicaid, but they do own their own home...such as it is.  They're still responsible for paying yearly property taxes etc.  The only thing I've ever heard a person cannot have, in my state anyways, is more than $2000 in their bank account at any given time or then they're subject to paying additional medical costs.   I really hope that doesn't change here though because I also know folks on Medicaid who have been renting for years.  
Once their parents are deceased and leave them the home that will really lessen their burden financially.  I should also add, these people are receiving Medicaid due to disability.  That might make a difference.

[Ronettes]

@cheriere 

The medicaid info is very confusing -

Because of my husband's medical situation, I had a social worker come to see what benefits are available for him. He asked about medicaid and was turned down because we have an IRA account and various bank accounts. We don't own a home, but regardless of that, we were told that the law states anyone having more than $3,000 in assets is not eligible.

We are in NJ. And my husband has mobility issues, and is actually legally disabled. Which will hopefully change in the future!

[cheriere]

@Ronettes   That's terribly unfair!  I'm so sorry.  I think these laws need changed to at least give people assistance while being allowed to own normal things...it just doesn't make sense.   Ps.  I just love your picture in your avatar You're a doll! 😊. Perhaps I'll get brave enough one day soon to include one,

[Sooner]

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@cheriere wrote:

@Ronettes   That's terribly unfair!  I'm so sorry.  I think these laws need changed to at least give people assistance while being allowed to own normal things...it just doesn't make sense.   Ps.  I just love your picture in your avatar You're a doll! 😊. Perhaps I'll get brave enough one day soon to include one,

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@cheriere Assistance is paid by all of us.   I have been on both sides of the issue.  There is only so much the tax base can support. And it is all of us who share in the bill and the benefits. 

[cheriere]

@Sooner   Yes, I agree.

[manny2]

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@cheriere wrote:

Wow, I've never heard of that. It must be new.  I know single and widowed  people who have very little that receive Medicaid, but they do own their own home...such as it is.  They're still responsible for paying yearly property taxes etc.  The only thing I've ever heard a person cannot have, in my state anyways, is more than $2000 in their bank account at any given time or then they're subject to paying additional medical costs.   I really hope that doesn't change here though because I also know folks on Medicaid who have been renting for years.  
Once their parents are deceased and leave them the home that will really lessen their burden financially.  I should also add, these people are receiving Medicaid due to disability.  That might make a difference.

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If they are low income and have Medicaid as their primary insurance, they can keep their home.

If they are in a nursing home, or assisted living they have to sell and pay private pay. Once they exhaust the funds, Medicaid becomes the primary payor source.  This is called (MLTSS)

[CatsyCline]

RE: Medicaid:  There is facility (institutional [SNF, nursing home] Medicaid  and Community Medicaid for Health Care.    

Community can be a rabbit hole.  Every aspect of the financial picture is scrutinized. you can be "above the income threshold" by a finite dollar which they call an "overage".

if you qualify  for Community Medicaid if there is an overage (over .gov % of poverty scale)  the funds need to go into pooled trust. in a spend-down everything is being paid out, Medicaid needs to know.

[chrystaltree]

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@Ronettes wrote:

Medicaid is only available for those who have no assets (less than $3,000 in total).

A social worker told me that.

It varies by state but you are correct.  There's an limit on assets.  Also people are using the term assisted living and they don't know what the bleep they are talking about. Most are throwing that term around because someone else used it.  Assisted living is NOT a nursing home or rehab or a convalescent home.  It's for people who are disabled or elderly and require help with activities of daily living.  Feeding, dressing, bathing, taking medication.  It's very expensive and Medicaid and Medicare don't cover it because it isn't medical care.  When we inquired for my sister a few years ago, the lowest cost in the Boston area was $6500 a month.  Most people simply cannot afford it.  

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