Many senior citizens eventually require long-term care. However, the financial burden of continuous care can quickly become a concern for many families. If you want to know more about Medicaid Indiana eligibility and how to get Medicaid to pay for nursing home expenses, you’ve come to the right place.
At Mulberry Health, we help you understand your options and walk you through the application process. You can also contact us for more information about our long-term care facility availability.
Understanding Medicaid for Long-Term Care: Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Costs?
Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that helps with medical care expenses for senior patients with limited income and resources. It can cover various medical services, including outpatient care, preventative care, and some prescription medicines.
Medicaid in Indiana can cover the costs of long-term care in a nursing facility. Aid can be provided to senior patients who require a certain level of care that they can only receive in a professional facility. They must also meet the financial and medical criteria for long-term care Medicaid eligibility.
Long-Term Care Medicaid Eligibility
To qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Age: Must be 65 or older.
- Permanent Disability: Disabilities like blindness may qualify individuals for long-term Medicaid.
- Medical Necessity: Must require a level of care provided by long-term care facilities, so seniors who require independent living aren’t qualified for Medicaid.
Additionally, a patient’s financial state will be screened:
- Unmarried patients applying for Medicaid must have less than $2,000 in assets, including checking, savings, and cash-value life insurance.
- Married patients must have less than $2,000, while their non-applicant spouse must have less than $157,920.
In either case, their monthly income must not exceed $2,901. If their income is higher, they will be required to open a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) bank account.
Meeting these long-term care Medicaid eligibility requirements is essential to receiving benefits. However, because regulations can be complex and frequently change, working with experienced professionals can help families avoid unnecessary delays or denials.
Documents Required for Application
If you’re interested in applying for Medicaid, you will need to apply at the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).
This will require comprehensive documentation. Providing accurate and current information ensures smoother processing:
- Birth Certificate
- Copies of All Cards: Social Security, Medicare, and any health supplement insurance cards.
- Property Deeds: Include all documentation related to property ownership, if the property is owned.
- Burial Arrangements: Copies of burial plot deeds and prepaid funeral agreements.
- Life Insurance Verification: Must include a current statement from the company showing the name, policy number, owner, face value, beneficiary, and issuance date.
- Health Insurance Premium Verification: Provide a premium stub or official letter from the insurance company.
- Income Records: Current income verification from all sources, such as pensions, Social Security, and annuities.
- Bank Statements: Four months of recent statements from all accounts held.
- Nursing Home Trust Account Verification: If applicable, provide account details and balances.
- Stocks or Bonds: Verification of ownership and current market value.
- Trust Documents: Include any documents for trusts where the applicant is a beneficiary or trustee.
- Vehicle Information: Documentation showing the model and current mileage of any owned vehicle.
- Power of Attorney: A valid copy of the Power of Attorney paperwork, if applicable.
Gathering these documents ahead of time can reduce stress and expedite the application.
Application Process: How To Get Medicaid To Pay for Nursing Home Expenses
Applying for Medicaid nursing home coverage in Indiana involves several steps:
- Pre-Screening and Consultation: Meet with a Medicaid planner or elder care advisor to review eligibility and financial status.
- Collect Required Documentation: Gather all necessary documents.
- Submit Application: Applications can be submitted online via the FSSA portal or through a local Division of Family Resources office.
- Verification and Review: The state reviews the application and may request additional documentation. After submitting your application, it can take around 30 to 45 days for a decision.
- Eligibility Determination: If approved, the applicant is assigned a case number and coverage begins, often retroactively.
- Care Plan Coordination: Once approved, coordination with a long-term care provider like Mulberry Health ensures the transition into care is seamless.
Mulberry Health and Medicaid: Services for Senior Care
At Mulberry Health, we are your compassionate partners in providing quality care. Whether you or your loved one requires short-term senior rehab to recover from surgery or long-term care for seniors with chronic conditions, you will have access to the facilities and staff needed to ensure you’re well cared for.
Our experienced team works closely with families to:
- Assist With Medicaid Planning: We offer resources and referrals to financial planners and elder law attorneys familiar with Medicaid rules. This helps families and their senior loved ones find ways to access quality care.
- Support the Application Process: We can schedule a private tour and provide more information about our long-term care facility. If you would like long-term senior care near Lafayette, we can walk you through the application process.
- Coordinate Care Post-Approval: Once eligibility is confirmed, we create a personalized care plan suited to the individual’s needs.
Some of our services covered by Medicaid include skilled nursing, memory care, and short-term senior rehabilitation, though this depends on your application. Our senior patients receive the quality care they deserve in a safe and compassionate environment.
Find Compassionate, Skilled Long-Term Care at Mulberry Health
Understanding Indiana Medicaid nursing home eligibility is key to accessing the care you or your loved one deserves. With careful planning and the right support, securing Medicaid benefits for long-term care can be a manageable and positive process.
At Mulberry Health, we are here to guide you to ensure families have access to quality care and a smooth transition into the skilled assistance needed for a good quality of life.
If you have questions about how to get Medicaid to pay for nursing home expenses, contact Mulberry Health for more information. Our dedicated team is ready to provide resources to ensure your loved one receives the care they need and deserve.
Reach out through our online form or call us at 765-296-2911 to get started.