Medicaid Planning
Medicaid Overview
In today's expanding society, we face an aging population like never before. Our medical advances have created the longest life expectancy in history. Chronic diseases like heart disease, dementia and COPD, to name a few, are now a common occurrence. The necessary care for these types of illnesses can last for years. Yet, as a society, we have no national policy towards long-term care, leaving the elderly with only three choices to pay for their at home or skilled-nursing care. The three choices are:
- Purchase long-term care insurance,
- Private paying from your own funds, or
- Qualifying and applying for Medicaid
While we generally feel that long term care insurance is a wise investment for those who can afford or be eligible for such coverage, you must undergo an underwriting process where insurance companies decide whether you are a good risk. If you have a pre-existing condition, you may not even be insurable or the cost of the policy may be so excessive that it will not be economically viable.
You can always use your own individual financial resources to pay for long term care for you and your spouse. However, the average cost of a nursing home in South Florida is approximately $6,000.00 per month and can cost up to $10,000 per month depending on the facility and the needs of the resident. Accordingly, your assets could be rapidly depleted by these costs. After the sickness and death of the first spouse, the surviving spouse and family could be left impoverished. It is easy to see why families would want to avoid private paying.
The third alternative is Medicaid.
What is Medicaid?
Income / Asset Limits for Medicaid Eligibility in Florida
Physical Requirements and Transfer Penalties
Advanced Medicaid Planning
Irrevocable Trust Planning