Anyone w/ info on applying for Medicaid please?

Dad is fading slowly and we need to get him on Medicaid as he was moved to LTC.  When they look at if you are under the max assets amount,

1) do they take outstanding debt into account other than medical bills (i.e. amount owed on a vehicle)? 

2) Do they count the equity in your home toward your assets (I think I know the answer to this, but want independent verification)?

3) I need to pay some of his non-medical bills...is that a problem while MCaid is pending?

This whole dealing with end of life finances is wreaking havoc on my guts.  The whole finding out about the money my Dad has lost/spent/given to strangers in the last 10 years is frightening.  Make sure you keep an eye on your parents finances and get their wishes in writing...it makes it much easier to focus on the human you are losing than trying to figure out how to pay for their care

 

Post Edited (HabsHockeyFan) : 5/7/2013 1:56:06 PM (GMT-6)

  First of all, you have my deepest sympathy and empathy.  I took care of both my parents till they passed.  My Mom, at home ( hospice), and my Dad had to go to LTC as he had too many serious medical issues near his end.  Your question involves a ton of issues concerning Medicade.  I went through it with my Dad, and got through it, and you will too. First, You need to get " Power of Attorney" via a lawyer if you have not done so, yet.  I don't have time right now to get into all that's involved, but I will keep checking on you.  But, as far as your Dads' house goes, unfortunatley, you will have to sign it over to Medicade to pay for the LTC.  However, there is a loophole that Medicade does not tell you up front.  As I almost became homeless because of the house issue,  they told me If I could prove that I moved back home to take care of my parents, then the house could go in my name and they would not take it.  I did prove it.  Anyway, you really need to take care of yourself, as hard as it is.  If you have no Family to help you, there are many resources out there, please ask for help if you need it!!! Also. find support groups, you can get not just support but tons of info. about you and your Fathers' needs, ect.  My biggest Bear Hug to you and I'll check on you tomorrow.  S.

 

Thanks for all of the thoughts folks!  Believe it or not, there are 6 of us kids, but I am the only one who can really handle the financial stuff.  The sibling issues are harder than the $ or dying issues frankly.  Not that we don't get along, but too many hands in the pot when they are uninformed has made this very hard...and I still think one of them thinks he is going to get $ out of this, oh and finding out what Dad did with the money I gave him hurts more than anything else...actually pretty angry with him so helping him is even harder...sorry little rant there and not worth tying my guts in knots over right now. 

Thanks for the thought on the house...I have one brother that lives in the house and has been looking after Dad...I will definitely put that into the documentation along with the fact that it is in reverse mortgage (surprise we found!).  Problem is I think with the house he is just over the limit...unless we can subtract what he owes on his car...which he still wants to keep.

Definitely get ahandle on your parents finances earlier than later!  Still trying to take care of me...but I'll post that in another thread.

 

Habs,

If you have a Certified Financial Planner CFP, accountant ask them.

Here's a snapshot, Your father needs to appoint an executor, attorney in fact, could be the same person, you or a sibling, an estate attorney, to help set up the paper work. I dealt with a Living Trust in addition to the list.
Your state may have other ideas. What you are embarking on is not fun.

Siblings can be rough, stand tall.

T

Thanks again guys.  There is a POA...but it is a brother that knows nothing, he is just the oldest.  I am theonly one able to handle the stuff...he has never even handled a checkbook!  The others all have varying degrees of ability, but I am the insurance person and financial person of the family.

I am not worried about them taking the car...frankly I jsut want the debt of the car to help keep his total assets down.  He does have a will.  All that stuff is easy to figure out...it is just what Medicaid counts as assets or debts is confusing.  Honestly, he is very close to the limt and a big medical bill would help to put him under the maximum....oddly...I am hoping for a big medical bill... Wow that's a first.

I have decided I can't worry about this and can only give the documentation.  My Disabled brother that lived with Dad jsut found a place to live so that is a relief.  I will check out that website Sindi...sounds helpful.

Thanks again everyone!