Taking the right steps to get Medicaid coverage
Medicaid is a healthcare program for families and older Americans with limited financial resources. It is designed for people of all ages who don’t have the necessary means to pay for health care. It is different from Medicare, which is a federal health care program for people 65 years and older and others who have certain disabilities.
Medicaid is funded jointly by state and federal governments, but it is the states that determine who is eligible and how Medicaid will be administered.
In San Antonio, and throughout the state of Texas, more than four million people are covered by Medicaid, which is delivered through managed health plans that are under contract with the state.
Because the state has leeway in how it determines and administers the Medicaid program, a person or family who may be eligible for benefits, could initially be turned down or put at financial risk even if they are approved. This is where an attorney who is well versed in applying for Medicaid benefits can make a big difference in securing them for a client.
For example, an attorney can help a family by protecting assets when a parent is admitted to a nursing home. In this type of situation, Medicare will stop paying a nursing home bill when it is determined a person needs custodial care instead of therapeutic care. This puts a financial burden directly on the parent’s assets until they can establish Medicaid eligibility, which should be done as soon as possible. An attorney can expedite this process and perhaps save thousands of dollars in nursing home fees.
There are also many other factors that need to be proven before Medicaid coverage can be approved. These can include income limitations, asset limits, or transferring assets from a Medicaid applicant to their spouse. There are specific strategies an attorney can assist you with to get around these roadblocks and make sure you receive the coverage you are entitled to, without breaking your bank.
The Voeller Law Firm proudly serves San Antonio, Bexar County, Schertz, Garden Ridge and nearby Texas communities.
