| For many people, aging is a frightening process. Even | | | | way. Oh, the lawyers say "preserve," rather than |
| at age 54, I'm a little concerned about our ability to | | | | hide, but it amounts to the same thing. I've known |
| provide for our needs once we're too old to work. I | | | | people who did this with $ millions in assets. Now you |
| can only imagine what it's like for those on a fixed | | | | know the kinds of friends I've had! There are |
| income, hearing about the prices of everything going | | | | doctors and lawyers who will help do this, and it may |
| up and up. Fortunately, we have Medicaid, so, in our | | | | pass the legal hurtles of our government |
| old age, if we need care we can't afford, the care | | | | bureaucracy, but you and I know this is Medicaid |
| will be provided. This article is about how to qualify | | | | abuse. |
| for Medicaid and the reasoning behind those | | | | Medicaid Qualifications: The Medicaid program is to |
| qualifications. | | | | provide your needs when you can no longer do so, |
| The Reason For Medicaid: One of the biggest fears | | | | yourself. The specific qualifications vary from |
| on the minds of most seniors is the fear of running | | | | state-to-state, so I'm going to give you a general |
| out of money before running out of time. What an | | | | description, but here's a link to specific Medicaid |
| ugly thing to think about. When I was a chaplain in an | | | | qualifications for your state. A single senior can own a |
| assisted living facility, I met a number of people who | | | | home as long as they live there, but once in assisted |
| had done this, and I had the privilege of helping one | | | | living, the home is used to pay expenses or to |
| woman through the transition after her assets ran | | | | reimburse Medicaid. A small income (or the savings to |
| out. There are many assisted living centers available | | | | generate that income) is usually allowed to provide |
| who only charge what Medicaid pays. It isn't luxurious | | | | for personal expenses above the cost of care. All |
| living, but it's there if we need it. That's the reason | | | | other assets would be depleted before qualifying. |
| for Medicaid, so we won't have to worry about | | | | If one member of a married couple requires medical |
| running out of money before time. | | | | and assisted living expenses, the other member can |
| Contract With The Taxpayer: In order to make | | | | usually keep the house, a car and a monthly income |
| Medicaid a reality, everyone who works is taxed a | | | | (or savings enough to generate the income) to |
| portion of their earnings, to pay the costs, with the | | | | provide household and personal expenses. All other |
| understanding that, if they need it, Medicaid will be | | | | assets are to be depleted before qualifying for |
| there for them. The contract is, you will be taxed to | | | | Medicaid. |
| pay the medical and living expenses of those who | | | | Although this is a painful and frightening subject, it's |
| cannot work and have no assets. In other words, for | | | | good to know a minimum of care is available if we |
| those who actually NEED help. To take money from | | | | need it. This care isn't something to be aspired to. If |
| working parents who are barely meeting their own | | | | you've managed to accumulate any assets beyond |
| needs to pay the bills of someone who could pay | | | | the minimum, this program is not for you. There are |
| their own, is obscene and immoral, if not illegal. | | | | a wide variety of care options for very reasonable |
| Medicaid Abuse: In fact, there are many who make a | | | | prices. Trust me about this...anyone who loves you |
| tidy sum, helping elderly people hide their assets so | | | | enough to be worthy of inheritance would rather you |
| they can use Medicaid instead of paying their own | | | | spend every penny getting the best care you can. |