Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Homes?
U.S. News & World Report featured Stefanie L. DeMario-Germershausen, a partner at Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, in its coverage explaining how Medicaid can help pay for nursing home care and the financial rules families must navigate when seeking eligibility.
The article outlines Medicaid’s role in covering long-term nursing home care for people who meet state-specific income, asset and care requirements. DeMario-Germershausen addresses the Medicaid spend-down process and warns that common financial decisions can create eligibility problems. She explains that families may mistakenly assume transfers permitted under tax law are also acceptable under Medicaid rules. Gifts, property transfers to relatives, discounted sales and informal payments for caregiving can all have consequences when Medicaid reviews an applicant’s financial history.
The coverage also highlights the five-year look-back period for institutional Medicaid applications and explains how improper transfers can lead to a penalty period during which Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care. DeMario-Germershausen further discusses the value of advance planning, the possibility of crisis planning after a loved one enters a facility and considerations surrounding Medicaid estate recovery.
Angiuli & Gentile, LLP continues its work helping individuals and families navigate elder law and long-term care planning matters.
