Options

8GRKDS5237

What are my options for care for my husband if I make too much money for Medicaid and not enough money for long term memory care? My husband is in mid stage Alzheimer’s and very difficult.

BPS

Medicaid is different in every state. Where I live I think they count your assets (bank accounts, property other then you primary residents, second cars, and the rest) as of the date of filing, but not what you income will be after qualification unless it is payments you receive from an asset sold previously. There are some ways around some of it and they look back 5 years for what you have done with any money.

Quilting brings calm

institutional Medicaid is also different than Medicaid living at home. There are different eligibility rules. In some states, Institutional Medicaid will help with assisted living and memory care, while other states only help with skilled nursing homes.

A certified elder care attorney can help you figure out his eligibility, and what assets you can keep as a spouse.

SDianeL

For Medicaid In many states you are allowed 1 home, 1 car & no more than $2000 in the bank. All other assets must be depleted. Some states allow you to have both Medicare & Medicaid but Medicare doesn't pay anyway so that's no help. As others have mentioned, a certified Elder Law Attorney can best advise you of your options. I'm going through this with my 90 year old step-dad who recently had a stroke and lives alone. He's on SS but makes too much to qualify for Medicaid. He has a good Case Manager through his primary care physician that suggested assisted living but said he would have to deplete his savings and sell his home to pay for it. So sad.

Jeanne C.

Take a deep breath. A good elder law attorney can help you navigate your state’s Medicaid rules. Below is a link to Medicaid eligibility by state. In many states the well spouse can have assets (house, car, limited savings). In my state (Delaware) we were able to qualify my husband by moving joint assets into a Medicaid compliant annuity paid out to me (turning assets into income, which is not limited and perfectly legal). I kept him home with me by using a home health aide until he progressed enough to need a skilled nursing facility. See an expert. They will help you do what’s needed to get care for your husband.

https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/state-specific-medicaid-eligibility/

Quilting brings calm

additional note: the state I am in lists a low monthly income… but if you read all the way through you find out this:

People with incomes higher then the limit qualify for Medicaid for nursing homes as long as they ‘spend down’ their extra income on eligible items … such as nursing home care. So the limit is $1255. If the patient’s income is $3000 a month, they pay the nursing home $3000. Medicaid then pays the rest of the nursing home costs. In addition if the well spouse makes under $3900 a month, some of that $3000 can go to the spouse rather than the nursing home. It’s complicated.

8GRKDS5237

Thanks everyone

Lilydaisy

I'm sorry that there aren't any really good answers. I have similar concerns. Too much money for some things, not enough for others. So we have to muddle through it the best we can. The choices are not appealing.