Think You’re Covered? Think Again. What Medicare doesn’t pay for…
Filed under: Blog, Medi-Cal Benefits
Many people believe that Medicare covers nursing home stays. In fact Medicare’s coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. Medicare covers up to 100 days of “skilled nursing care” per illness. But there are a number of requirements that must be met before the nursing home stay will be covered. If you can’t afford the high cost of long term care insurance what will you do? Exhaust your savings? Sell your home? Where will your spouse live? What many people don’t understand is that the government doesn’t expect you to go broke to afford expensive nursing home care. But they don’t make it easy to understand the rules either. Read this article from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. : . If you live in California, here is an article on our website that explains Medi-Cal (Medicaid) Exemptions and Allowances.
What are the alternatives to nursing home care, do you need them, and how can you afford them?
Here is an evaluation form designed by California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)s to help you understand what type of care you might need. In California, Medi-Cal will only pay for skilled nursing. There is a pilot program called PACE that is available in very limited areas of the state that can help pay the cost of in-home care (See CANHR‘s website for more information on what areas are covered by the PACE program.) If you need some help, whether at home or possibly need to move to an assisted living center or board and care but don’t necessarily need skilled nursing, the costs can still be prohibitive.
If you or your spouse do not qualify for Medi-Cal because you have too many assets other than your home, or you simply don’t need that level of care, you may qualify for a Veteran’s benefit. The Veterans Non-Service Connected Disability Pension (Aid & Attendance Benefit) is paid to wartime veterans or surviving spouses that meet certain income and net worth requirements, are over age 65 and need help with some activities of daily living or are permanently and totally disabled. The pension is based on the theory that the veterans served their country during a time of war and the country that they helped will now serve them by supplementing their income.
Do you or your parents qualify? Qualifying Vets & Spouses may receive up to $23,396 per year! Discover The VA’s Best Kept Secret…
Where: Attend a FREE INTERACTIVE WEBINAR on your computer
When: Tuesday Aug 30 or Thursday, Sept 1, 12:15 to 1:00 PM PDT
There will be a LIVE Q&A Session following!
See More Info at VA Aid & Attendance benefit and registration information.
Comments are closed.
