[sharonl7340]

I have to say that you have had no experience with this. Medicaid makes you liquidate all of the assets, including the home and land that have been in your family for 5 generations, and anything else of value, including your great-grandmother's ring. I didn't mind paying our fair share, but why does it not preserve some assets? It takes everything you have (including that cushy 2nd home you have) to get the bare minimum of care. Otherwise, you are forced to care for your loved one at home with around-the-clock care when your loved one cannot speak, chew, move, or have any kind of quality of life.

I get angry when I read these kinds of posts. You have never been there, you don't know the anguish, the agony, the exhaustion. And to say there should be wards with beds with shared bathroom facilities is ludicrous. When my mom was mobile, there was plenty of time there was feces and urine everywhere because she had no control. We cleaned the bathroom 5-6 times per day many weeks.

You people don't know what you are talking about. You are assuming that the loved ones in these situations can walk, talk, feed themselves, and entertain themselves. IT. IS. NOT. TRUE! They reach points where they can not even chew and swallow but still don't qualify for full-time skilled nursing care because you provided TOO well for your spouse to be taken care of. I will get off my rant now, but go visit the nursing homes and follow the CNA around for a day and see if your mind changes.

[sharonl7340]

Originally Posted by Berwin

Something not mentioned in this thread is what is called "Aid and Attendance" for veterans. It is a monthly amount to pay for in-home assistance for those not able to take care of daily chores by themselves. If you are a veteran, look it up.

We applied. I spent several days off work running around and getting the documentation to apply. We submitted the paperwork and 4 months later got a letter that said my mom was eligible (well duh! She was the widow of a retired veteran). Three months after that, we received a letter that said she was eligible but not qualified because her monthly income was too much. They advised me to spend down the assets and then reapply in 6 months, but I would need all new documentation in order to do it.

If you can get it, great, but if you are living here, you will not meet the income guidelines.

[Ptmcbriz]

Let me bring up a solution no one (so far) as mentioned that I’m planning on doing. I’m very familiar with facilities in The Villages. My 93 year old father was progressing in Alzheimer’s 3 years ago when I needed to find a memory care facility. Most high end assisted living facilities offer a memory care unit with controlled environments, special trained staff, and special activities all geared just for Alzheimer’s patients. I had a specialist helping me find a nice facility and there are many here. Btw, there are no facilities in The Villages that accept Medicad. You would have to go outside the bubble to find one. Cost was $6700/mo. Gorgeous facility that had daily live concerts, beautiful dining room, spa, pool, gourmet meals, private rooms ( you provide the furniture), wine bar, hundreds of activities. A wonderful place. Most times when a person has to go into a facility they last less than 2 years. Up until that point you can pay for home assistance a few times a week until that’s not enough. How do you pay for $7000+ month and live your last couple years in luxury? You sell all your assets and use the equity gained from your house to pay for it. Most living in The Villages own a home which will have hundreds of thousands in equity once sold. Use that nest egg. (instead of savings or investments).

[Mobrien]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It is not ripping off the Government if you follow the rules that the Government established within the program. And, people have every right to give away their money to anyone they want. I would also point out that, in 2023, 91 million people were enrolled in Medicaid, not just the very poor or destitute.

Are you saying 25% (91m) of the population is enrolled in Medicaid?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Mobrien

Are you saying 25% (91m) of the population is enrolled in Medicaid?

Yes. One thing that the Affordable Care Act did was to greatly expand the Medicaid health care eligibility. I think the income eligibility expanded to 4 times the poverty level, so some people making more than $40K per year became eligible for Medicaid.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Barkriver

The travesty is the cost and quality of long term care, and this country's entire medical system.

Get back to me about that travesty after working in a long term care facility for a couple of months.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Are you saying that people who follow the rules shouldn't take advantage of a Government benefit, like Medicaid? Medicaid allows them to gift their money to avoid paying for nursing home care out of pocket. If done timely and correctly, they are entitled to the benefit.

Don't you mean people who follow the loopholes can get on the public dole while their kids get their dough?

Who do you think pays for Medicaid? YOUR KIDS and their kids and so on. That little piggy will break the bank eventually.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by RoseyRed

It is tough from either point of view! I have had several family members go through the spend down Medicaid process. The taxes we have paid in all these years is being put to use.

Your taxes are about to increase mightily as seniors dump their assets and get on the public dole.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by RoseyRed

Who pays for the nursing homes? Our tax dollars. We have all paid taxes for years right?

And it's about to get worse. Let's get the word out on riding the public dole for our old age, watch your's and your children's taxes go crazy. Hang on world!

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

Medicaid was setup for people who are very poor or destitute. By hiding or giving away money or assets you are ripping off the government and the taxpayers.

It's amazing how many old people turn into crooks in their later years.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It is not ripping off the Government if you follow the rules that the Government established within the program. And, people have every right to give away their money to anyone they want. I would also point out that, in 2023, 91 million people were enrolled in Medicaid, not just the very poor or destitute.

So a great number of low-life have learned how to cheat the government, we should all drop our morals and do the same?

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, because not everyone living in a nursing home is bedridden. If you need a certain level of medical care, you may not be eligible for assisted living.

If you are in a nursing home you won't be out shopping and needing new furniture.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

According to the dictionary, shenanigans are "secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering". I don't condone shenanigans. But, I don't see anything wrong with following the Medicaid law to a person's best advantage. There are 91 million people currently enrolled in the Medicaid program. These are not just poor people. If you are eligible for a Government benefit, why not use it? And, if the Government wants children to take care of their parents, why pay for their nursing home care? Change the law.

The Medicaid program is intended for the poor and destitute and yes, maneuvering is in full force to get one's butt in the program if they aren't poor or destitute. Maybe it's time to make children responsible for their parents if the parents "have no money".

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Most long term care insurance experts say that the insurance is best suited for people who are either not poor or those who are not very wealthy. Those who benefit most from LTC insurance are those "in-between" people who have some wealth, but not enough to self-insure for long term care. So, it is not recommended for wealthy people who can afford to self-insure.

But isn't the plan that "wealthy" people shouldn't have to self-insure? Just divest their assets early and jump on the dole.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Don't you mean people who follow the loopholes can get on the public dole while their kids get their dough?

Who do you think pays for Medicaid? YOUR KIDS and their kids and so on. That little piggy will break the bank eventually.

I don't disagree with you. But, that is the system the people voted for. Every time someone proposes to cut it, it is soundly defeated. These programs continue to grow and grow, and most people don't know it, but the ACA greatly expanded Medicaid. I don't know what you mean by a loophole, but that is the way the program works. The Government could eliminate any "loophole" they want to.