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"Ben really knew what we needed when we came to him with questions. We were comfortable throughout our consultation and confident in the work he performed for us."
Medicaid Planning
Knowing that the future probably holds the move of a loved one into a nursing home means making some difficult decisions now. Perhaps the move will be made because the person can no longer care for him or herself, or has a progressive disease like Alzheimer's, or has had a stroke or heart attack.
No matter the reason, those involved are almost always under great stress and have far more questions than they have answers.
At times like these, it's important that you pause, take a deep breath and understand that there are things you can do. Legal direction is available to help you make the right choices for your loved one and for you.
"The Illinois Consumer's Guide to MEDICAID PLANNING 2010" is designed to help provide you with information and answers to some of the questions you will have and issues you will encounter. These are questions and issues which I, as an Elder Law attorney, deal with on a daily basis. Request or Download this Guide
Our clients have found this guide to be a valuable resource, and we hope you will find it useful, too. Here is just a glimpse at the kind of information you'll find:
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care
One of the things that concerns people most about nursing home care is how to pay for it. There are basically four ways to cover the cost of a nursing home or other assisted living facility:
Long Term Care Insurance – If you are fortunate enough to have this type of coverage, it may go a long way toward paying the cost of the nursing home. Unfortunately, long term care insurance has only started to become popular in the last few years and most people facing a nursing home stay do not have this coverage.
Pay With Your Own Funds – This is the method many people are required to use at first. Quite simply, it means paying for the cost of a nursing home out of your own pocket. Unfortunately, with nursing home bills that can average $4,500-$8,000 a month or more in northern Illinois, few people can afford a long term stay in a nursing home.
Medicare – This is the national health insurance program primarily for people 65 years of age and older, certain younger disabled people, and people with kidney failure. Medicare provides short-term assistance with nursing home costs, but only if you meet the strict qualification rules.
Medicaid – This is a Federal- and State-funded and State-administered medical benefit program that can pay for the cost of the nursing home if certain asset and income tests are met.
Since private pay (i.e., using your own funds) and long term care insurance are self-explanatory, the discussions in this Guide will concentrate on Medicare and Medicaid.
If your family is searching for legal assistance with Medicaid issues, you can find it with Neiburger Law. Please contact us for more information.
