An Austin Medicare Attorney Will Help You Develop A Plan
When getting older, your health can drastically change overnight. You should prepare for unexpected health concerns by drafting an elder care planning document. Our attorneys will provide you with information about elder law and help you make the right medical decisions. An important aspect of elder care planning involves the Federal government programs Medicare and Medicaid. Many people confuse the two programs or assume that they provide the same services. However, each program serves a different purpose. Medicare is a health insurance program that serves primarily the elderly (over sixty-five), younger disabled patients and those on dialysis, regardless of income. In contrast, Medicaid is a wide-ranging program that assists lower-income people who have trouble affording health care. Our firm will help you understand the basics of each program and guide you throughout the estate planning process.
For over fifteen years, Ms. Farren Sheehan has focused on helping clients plan their estates. She has experience handling the complex issues surrounding elder law and will use every resource available to draft your estate. At Sheehan Law, PLLC, our attorneys value your life and will work hard to protect your future. We understand that your story is important, and a multi-faceted approach will be used to maximize your benefits. By listening to your considerations, our firm can guide you towards the Federal government program that best suits your needs. While you may think that estate planning is for wealthy people, a long-term care plan is something that every American should have. If you have questions about elder care planning, then an Austin Medicare attorney will help address your concerns. We will answer all of your questions and provide you with adept legal service.
How Do Medicaid And Medicare Affect The Elderly?
Although Medicare covers disabled patients and those on dialysis, the primary recipients of the program are people over sixty-five. Healthcare bills are paid from a trust fund. However, you are still responsible for co-pays and deductibles. Medicare helps pay for the costs of many services, but there are limitations on what is covered. For example, nursing home care is only covered for the first one hundred days. Getting admitted into a nursing home is also difficult for Medicare recipients. You must have a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days prior to entering the facility. Once admitted, you should enroll in or keep your Medicare coverage. Medicare may provide health coverage for hospital care, physician services, rehabilitation services and medical supplies that the home provides.
While Medicare provides limited coverage for nursing home residents, Medicaid is one of the primary sources of payment at nursing homes. Medicaid is a broad-ranging program that assists lower-income people who cannot afford health care costs. The program primarily helps the elderly, families with dependent children and people with disabilities. A lot of nursing home residents are poor, and Medicaid covers the long-term care costs for the majority of occupants. Over seventy percent of Americans utilize nursing home facilities, making Medicaid the largest payer of nursing home costs in the United States. Essentially, the Medicaid program is a safety net health care payer for people who need financial assistance. If you have exhausted your life savings paying for a nursing home, then you could qualify for help under Medicaid. Our attorneys will help you apply for and maintain Medicaid or Medicare coverage upon entering a nursing home.
How Does The Government Determine Medicaid Eligibility?
Since Medicaid is an essential program for nursing home residents, it is important to know if you can receive coverage. The program was designed to help certain categories of low-income individuals. For example, being over the age of sixty-five or having a disability would qualify you for Medicaid coverage. The eligibility tests tend to focus on income and resource (asset) levels. The maximum income level for a family of three in Texas is $41,144 before taxes. If you want to enroll in Medicaid, then you must meet the strict eligibility requirements. At Sheehan Law, PLLC, we will help you determine if you qualify for Medicaid coverage. Our attorneys will also ensure that you maintain your coverage and fully benefit from the program.
Even though the rules governing Medicaid are complex, an experienced attorney can help you apply for and receive coverage. For example, there are substantial variations in eligibility policy from state to state. Also, federal laws are combined with each state’s laws, resulting in rules that are different in each state. These laws can change over time, creating havoc for those who have Medicaid coverage for extended periods of time. Our attorneys know how to work within the system to get you the coverage you desperately need. We also understand the differences between competing nursing homes. Some facilities are more receptive to Medicaid recipients than others. Our elder law attorneys will help you choose a nursing home that provides quality care to Medicaid recipients.
Questions About Elder Law? Contact An Austin Medicare Attorney Today
When planning your estate, your natural instinct will be to take care of your loved ones. However, an Austin Medicare attorney will advise you to create a long-term care plan that supports your future plans. If you need nursing home care, then making the necessary arrangements should be a high priority when planning your estate. Our attorneys will help you get the medical coverage you need to afford nursing home care for the rest of your life.
If you are elderly and have questions about Medicaid or Medicare, then you should contact Sheehan Law, PLLC today at (512) 355-0155 for an initial consultation. You can also contact us online and send us a message about your case. We will get back to you as soon as possible and look forward to meeting with you in person.
