My mom is asking all her doctors if they will accept Medicaid. So far so good. I'm thankful She is becoming more proactive in her care. Today I spoke with a women in Ft. Myers at the aging center. She told me that mom had to be disabled to get Medicaid. I have not seen that in writing anywhere. Are any of you aware of that?
Medicaid is available if your income and assets are low enough. You can still own a car and a home, but they may put a lien on the house, to be repaid from your estate.
MediCARE is available to anyone over 65 who has earned enough social security credits.
MediCAID is a needs-based program. Applicants must qualify financially and also medically. It is best known for paying for nursing home costs, but it also includes programs that assist elders to stay in the community, for example in their own home or that of a relative.
Is Mother looking ahead to a time in the future when she might need Medicaid services? Does she need them now? You are right, it is good she is taking an interest in her own care.
Does your mom requires long term care services like continuous care, medication and treatment or does she have any chronic illness?
It is medicare which require you to be 65y.o. and above to qualify, if you are younger than 65, you need to be disable to qualify for medicare. However, medicare only helps you with health care and not long term care services for a short period of time. Check with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in your area, they oversee these programs.
As an advice, you can check on the long term care partnership program (http://goo.gl/M97IYR) which is a collaboration between the government and private insurance providers. It also involves medicaid but qualifying is much more easier.
Hope this helps :)
Mom has Medicare, with thE AARP supplement. I hoping she can qualify for Medicaid so we can drop the AARP.