Crisis Medicaid Planning In Florida: What To Do When Long-Term Care Is An Immediate Concern
We tend to think about nursing-home, and special-needs care as a distant prospect to be dealt with at some future time. It is human nature to put off decisions on these matters because there is always more time to plan – until there isn’t.
First and foremost will be your concerns about a family member’s health and well-being. A medical emergency or serious illness can strike when least expected, putting a loved one in a situation where they need round-the-clock care on a long-term basis. But the financial impacts can also be staggering: the average monthly cost for nursing home care in Florida is $8,669 for a semi-private room. This is one of the highest monthly costs in the nation. The average monthly cost in the Tampa area is closer to $10,000.
Fortunately, Medicaid can cover the costs of most nursing homes, assisted living, and home health services. This coverage helps families preserve their savings and assets while getting their loved ones the care they need. For Floridians to be eligible for Medicaid, they must be a Florida resident, a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or legal alien and require a nursing-home level of care.
Applicants for Long-Term Care Medicaid must also meet Florida’s income limits for Medicaid: approximately $2,349 per month for a single household and an asset limit of $2,000. With proper planning, many become eligible for Medicaid coverage before the need for long-term care arises.
Most people considering Medicaid may be “over-income” or “over-asset,” or both, but still cannot afford the astronomical cost of long-term care out of pocket. Medicaid planning is still a possibility for people in this category, but it requires careful planning and financial maneuvering in some instances.
What is “Crisis Medicaid Planning”?
“Crisis Medicaid Planning” is when someone faces an immediate need for long-term care or is already in a skilled nursing facility. They will want to qualify for Medicaid coverage as soon as possible to avoid a financial catastrophe for their family.
For better or worse, most Medicaid planning ends up falling within the “crisis” category. A family member suffers a stroke or debilitating injury, for example, and requires skilled nursing care before they have a chance to “get their ducks in a row” with regard to Medicaid eligibility.
That is where our Tampa eldercare crisis planning attorneys can come in. Our goals in these situations are to guide you and your family through the Medicaid application process as efficiently as possible.
Trying to scramble and get the proper paperwork filed on your own can lead to long delays or even denials of Medicaid eligibility. Meanwhile, hard-earned assets and funds that were intended for children and grandchildren can be squandered on 24-hour medical care at a long-term care facility.
A skilled elder care attorney can help you get qualified for Medicaid as quickly as possible under the circumstances. We are familiar with the various legal strategies and instruments available to qualify you or a family member for Medicaid coverage in many situations. This can help your loved ones get the vital care they need while also preserving your property and financial assets as well as possible.
Our Tampa Elder Care and Estate Planning Attorneys at Strategic Counsel Law Group Can Help When a Crisis Arises
It is hard enough when a loved one faces a medical emergency and long-term care becomes inevitable. The myriad financial obstacles involved with paying for care and considering Medicaid eligibility make a bad situation worse. You don’t want to go it alone when this happens. The experienced Tampa estate planning attorneys at Strategic Counsel Law Group can review all options available to you and your family, given the facts of your situation. Call our attorneys at 813-286-1700 or schedule a consultation online today to discuss your options with a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney.
