Does Medicare Cover the Cost of Long-Term Care?
Many people have concerns about how they will afford long-term care if they need it and about whether or not Medicare is an option. Neither Medicare nor Medicare Supplement Insurance covers long-term care, and the same is true of the vast majority of health insurance providers out there. For long-term care, you’ll need to either qualify for Medicaid, cover the expense yourself, or have private long-term care insurance in place. With the cost of long-term care insurance on the rise, the matter of long-term care is a serious concern, but an experienced Pennsylvania estate and trust attorney can help.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a program that is run at both the federal and state levels, and it’s designed to help individuals and families who meet specific low-income requirements and who also have limited resources in terms of assets. For those who qualify, Medicaid covers long-term care, which can be in a long-term healthcare residence or in the recipient’s home. In the United States, Medicare covers more long-term care than any other provider in the nation.
Qualifying for Long-Term Care through Medicaid
If you don’t have long-term care coverage and can’t afford to cover your long-term care outright, you may need to turn to Medicaid. To do this, you’ll need to qualify, which can be a long, laborious process that comes with its own unique challenges – having an accomplished estate and trust attorney in your corner from the start is always to your advantage.
Qualifying for Medicaid
In order to qualify for Medicaid in Pennsylvania, you must meet eligibility requirements that include having relatively low overall assets, being over the age of 65, being blind or otherwise disabled – and having a medical need that requires long-term care. The qualification process is difficult to navigate, but there are specific legal options that can provide those who need long-term care with financial relief, including the following:
- A Medicaid asset protection trust
- A Medicaid-compliant annuity
- A Medicaid will
The Long-Term Care Available
When it comes to long-term care, there are a range of coverage options available, including for room and board or for in-home care, and services can include all the following:
- Skilled nursing care
- Doctor visits
- Assistance with the activities of daily living
- Medication management
- Mental health counseling
- Social activities
If you or your loved one needs long-term care, Medicaid may be an option, and a knowledgeable estate and trust attorney can significantly improve your chances of qualifying and receiving the full range of benefits to which you’re entitled.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Pennsylvania Estate and Trust Attorney Today
If you or your loved one requires long-term care, it’s important to know that this isn’t something that Medicare covers, but the well-respected Pennsylvania estate and trust attorneys at Mette Attorneys at Law have a long and imposing track record of helping clients like you explore their best options, which may mean taking the legal steps necessary to qualify through Medicaid. The process is legally complex, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 717-231-5219.