Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning

With today’s medical technology, there is a likelihood that a person will outlive their ability to care for themselves. Long-term care can be very expensive or even unaffordable for most families. Many who have worked hard their whole lives to leave some measure of financial security for their children and grandchildren are seeing their savings evaporate in a matter of months when the need for long-term care arises.

We have witnessed firsthand how the staggering costs of long-term health care can financially ruin many families as they face outliving their money and assets. Zolton Law can help prevent such losses with our knowledge of Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Medicare and Medicaid Law and Elder Care planning.

Long-term care refers to a wide spectrum of services and support that help an individual perform everyday activities. Long-term care can be provided in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other setting, and may include medical care, therapy, 24-hour care, personal care, and custodial care (homemaker services). There are usually many people involved in the long-term care decision. These include spouse and family, medical and legal professionals, and insurance providers.

Advice from all these parties are needed to make the best decisions and Zolton is here to consult on the legal aspects. Our expertise may help you save that nest egg you have worked so hard for.

Common Long-Term Care Terms

Guardian - A person appointed by Will or by law to assume responsibility for incompetent adults or minor children.

Medicaid - A “needs-based” medical insurance program paid by State and Federal funds, which helps many people who can’t afford medical care (including nursing home care) pay for some or all of their medical bills.

Medicare - A federal health insurance program for seniors (and some disabled persons). It operates much like a traditional health insurance program, with monthly premiums, deductibles and co-pays paid by participants.

Look-Back Period - A period of time in which a government agency will review gifts or transfers of assets when a person applies for Medicaid (and some other government benefits). Transfers made during the look-back period are often subject to being undone, or can generate a penalty period or disqualification of benefits.