Hello everybody-
Stupid question: I see the day coming when one or both parents will need to be in a nursing home. Can you apply for Medicaid ahead of time but not act on it right away? Kind of like getting pre-qualified for a mortgage (sorry, throwing in a tiny bit of humor).
Thanks all.
What would be wise to do is to have a consultation with an Eldercare attorney who specializes in Medicaid.
Doing an application for Medicaid when one spouse continues to live "in the community" is a specialized situation that requires an attorney in many cases. You don't want your non-NH parent (the community spouse) to become impoverished. You want to know if Assisted Living can be paid for through Medicaid waivers in your state. You want to know where the 5 years of bank statements that will need to be submitted with the application are so that you can access them.
Good for you for getting the jump on this!
There is community Medicaid and facility Medicaid.
As has been mentioned you need to see a certified elder attorney well versed in Medicaid for your parents state for the best outcome for each of them.
They might qualify for community Medicaid to help with services while living in the home. If they don’t qualify now, you will better understand under what circumstances they will in the future.
Additionally check out the Area Agency on Aging to learn of any services available for your parents.
If its a married couple and only one needs LTC, the other is a Community Spouse. The assets are split. The person going into LTC, has to spend down their half. Spouse left will not be made impoverished. This is more complicated but thats the basics.
The rest has ben said: POA, access to financial records and accounts, insurance policies, properties, etc.
Also said, that you can start with Community Services for in-home care while you wait for LTC. Once you apply on their behalf, they are assigned a Social and a Financial Worker. The SW does the assessment of their needs and can help you determine the level of care needed and what they would qualify for.
Also, applying and being denied the first time around happens, but you can reapply at any time. And it does take time for the process to be completed (3 months or more).
So no, it is not a stupid question! I just went through the process and there isn’t that much information out there...of course, every case is different, so feel free to keep asking...someone may have a similar situation to yours, and answer your questions! Welcome to the forum!
This is a nightmare: Dad already having mobility issues; mom diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. No other support than me and I don't live around the corner and work full-time. I keep thinking something has to resolve one way or the other, and sooner rather than later.
Again, I appreciate all of your insight you've all provided me.
I would suggest you start asking questions now as to what would qualify your loved ones, consult an attorney if necessary to start protecting any assets you can early. There are attorneys that specialize in elder matters. I would suggest you start there.