FAQs

Medicaid is a state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services.

Each state has different rules about eligibility and applying for Medicaid. Go to https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/ to learn more.

To qualify for Medicaid to cover long-term care in Indiana, such as services provided at Mulberry Health, you must meet both medical and financial eligibility requirements.

Medical Eligibility

You must need a nursing home level of care. This means you need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating. A medical professional must confirm that skilled care is necessary.

Financial Requirements

Medicaid looks at both your income and assets to decide if you qualify.

• Income:
• In 2025, your gross monthly income (before taxes or deductions) must be under $2,901 for a single person.
• If your income is over this amount, you may still qualify by setting up a Miller Trust (also called a Qualified Income Trust). This special account holds the extra income so it doesn’t count against you for Medicaid purposes. The money in the trust is used toward your care.
• Assets:
• You can have no more than $2,000 in countable assets. This includes money in your checking and savings accounts combined, as well as stocks, bonds, and some life insurance policies.
• Even if your income is below $2,901 a month, you cannot have more than $2,000 total in your checking and savings accounts combined when you apply.
• For Married Couples:
• The spouse who is not applying for Medicaid (called the “community spouse”) can keep up to $157,920 in countable assets. Their income is not counted toward the applicant’s income limit.
• If the community spouse has low income, they may receive part of the Medicaid applicant’s income to help support them. This is called the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA).

What Counts as Income for Medicaid:

• Wages (if still working)
• Social Security benefits
• Pensions or retirement withdrawals
• Veteran’s benefits
• Rental income
• Dividends or interest from investments

What Doesn’t Count as Income:

• Food stamps (SNAP)
• Home energy assistance
• Some crime victim payments

After You Qualify (Patient Liability):

• After approval, most of your income goes toward paying for your care.
• Medicaid lets you keep a personal needs allowance of $52 per month.
• Some deductions are allowed, like paying for health insurance premiums or helping a low-income spouse at home.

How to Apply for Indiana Medicaid:

• Online: Visit fssabenefits.in.gov
• In Person: Visit your local Division of Family Resources (DFR) office:
  • Clinton County DFR Office
    1500 W. Morrison St., Suite 1
    Frankfort, IN 46041
    Phone: 800-403-0864
  • Tippecanoe County DFR Office
    823 Park East Blvd.
    Lafayette, IN 47905
    Phone: 800-403-0864
• With Help: Work with a Medicaid planner or elder law attorney for guidance.

Be Ready to Provide These Documents:

• Photo ID and Social Security card
• Income statements and 4 months of bank statements
• Health insurance and life insurance information
• Property deeds, vehicle value, and burial/funeral plans
• Power of Attorney paperwork

If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry because our team is here to help!  We can connect you with trusted elder law attorneys who will guide you through the process.

Please reach out to us if you have more questions.

Navigating Medicaid for long-term care can be complex, especially for married couples. Understanding the rules can help protect your assets and ensure you receive timely support.

When One Spouse Needs Long-Term Care

If only one spouse applies for Medicaid in Indiana, the state has rules to help protect the financial well-being of the spouse who remains at home.

• Asset Limits: The spouse applying for Medicaid (called the “institutionalized spouse“) must have no more than $2,000 in countable assets. The spouse who stays at home (called the “community spouse“) can keep up to $157,920 in countable assets.
• Income Limits: If the applicant’s monthly income is more than $2,901 as of 2025, they will need to set up a Miller Trust to qualify. This special bank account helps applicants meet Medicaid’s income eligibility rules.

When Both Spouses Need Long-Term Care

If both spouses are applying for Medicaid at the same time, Indiana treats each person as an individual applicant.

• Asset Limits: Each spouse must meet the $2,000 asset limit individually.
• Income Limits: Each spouse is also held to the $2,901/month income limit. If either person exceeds that amount, they may need a Miller Trust.

In this situation, the state evaluates joint assets without applying the same spousal protections that exist when one spouse stays home.

Once your Medicaid application has been submitted, it typically takes 30 to 45 days for a decision. If you’d prefer not to navigate the process alone, we can connect you with experienced elder law attorneys. Reach out to us for guidance.

For those residents who do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or other benefits, Mulberry Health accepts private, out-of-pocket payment.

Mulberry Health is in-network with Humana, Aetna, IU Health Plans and Anthem BCBS.

Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) is a state requirement to help ensure that individuals are not inappropriately placed in care facilities for long term care. PASRR requires that 1) all applicants to a Medicaid-certified nursing facility be evaluated for mental illness and/or intellectual disability; 2) be offered the most appropriate setting for their needs (in the community, a nursing facility, or acute care settings); and 3) receive the services they need in those settings.

In brief, the PASRR process requires that all applicants to Medicaid-certified Nursing Facilities be given a preliminary assessment to determine whether they might have mental illness or mental retardation. This is called a “Level I screen.” Those individuals who test positive at Level I are then evaluated in depth, called “Level II” PASRR. The results of this evaluation result in a determination of need, determination of appropriate setting, and a set of recommendations for services to inform the individual’s plan of care.

More information about PASRR is available at www.PASRRassist.org.

Short-term rehab

• For your short-term stay at Mulberry Health, we recommend that you bring clothing that’s comfortable to move and relax in. Most residents will want four to six complete outfits (including socks and undergarments) along with sleepwear, a robe, non-slip shoes and a sweater, sweatshirt and/or coat.

Long-term Care / Memory Care

• Residents should feel free to bring any clothing and personal items they desire. We will do our best to make reasonable accommodations for whatever you bring so long as resident care and safety isn’t compromised in any way. If care or safety is compromised, nursing or social services staff will contact the family, POA or care plan partners to remedy the issue.

A Note About Personal Items

• Upon admission of a new resident, Mulberry Health staff will prepare a written inventory of all belongings, clothing and personal items. (Please keep us apprised of any items that should be added or deleted from this inventory during the resident’s stay.)

   

• We do not advise that residents bring personal articles of significant monetary value. Mulberry Health will exercise reasonable care to protect the Resident’s personal property, but is not responsible for replacing lost or stolen items.
  
  

• At the conclusion of the resident’s stay, all personal items will be returned. Any personal property that remains unclaimed 30 days after a Resident’s departure is assumed to be abandoned and will be donated for appropriate use.

You’ll want to talk to our admissions coordinator. Email them at admissions@mulberryhealth.com or call (765) 296-2911.

Within two weeks of admission to Mulberry Health, we send out an invitation to the family, POA and/or healthcare decision maker(s) to meet with our care team and help assess objectives and determine the best treatments for the care of the resident. As an advocate on your loved one’s behalf, your participation in this meeting is key in helping to ensure that care is provided according to your wishes. It’s also important to note that subsequent meetings will usually take place on a quarterly basis to assess the progress of these goals and make adjustments to the care plan.

GrandView Pharmacy is our contractual pharmacy. If you have a preference other than GrandView and that pharmacy complies with our policies, procedures and legal requirements, we will make every effort to make that an option.

The highly trained therapists at Mulberry Health specialize in in orthopedic, cardiac, neuro and vestibular therapy. We offer a full range of physical, occupational and speech therapy tools, as well as advanced wound care and lymphedema management. These services are offered on both an in-patient and out-patient basis by full-time, in-house therapists who are employed by Mulberry Health. We believe having our own therapy team (as opposed to a contract service) provides better continuity of care throughout the rehabilitation process.

When you choose Mulberry Health for short-term rehab following a hospital stay, we make arrangements for the Mulberry therapist you’re working with to go along on any follow-up appointments with your physician. This allows us to facilitate direct communication within the healthcare spectrum and provide the best care around — all in hopes of getting you home faster and reducing your risk of re-hospitalization later.

Yes — actually, we have two. Dr. Keven W. Dodt, MD and Dr. John M. Thomas, MD, are co-medical directors of Mulberry Health. Dodt specializes in geriatric care and is part of Sigma Medical Group with the Franciscan Alliance Physician Network. Thomas is from IU Health Arnett.

Yes we do. We offer on-site optometry through Midwest Mobile, on-site audiology through HearMax, on-site dentistry with Brian D. Wagoner, DDS, on-site podiatry with Ken Krueger, DPM and on-site pysch services with Arthur Lyakhovetsky, MD.

Should you need to go see a doctor or specialist not offered as an on-site ancillary service during your stay at Mulberry Health, our team will help coordinate transportation services for you. The cost for this is typically covered under Medicare Part A and Medicaid, but will be billed privately if not covered.

With the permission of a doctor — yes, residents may come and go as they wish. However, Medicare residents covered under Part A must return to the facility by midnight each day in order for services to be covered under those programs.

Our activities department provides an array of stimulating indoor and outdoor events designed to keep the minds, bodies and spirit of our residents active. Programming ranges from table games, music and drama presentations, daily exercise and religious services to animal visits, arts & crafts, educational speakers and community outings.

Three meals are served daily at Mulberry Health and residents may have their choice of a primary entrée or other alternate options. Families are invited to join residents for meals and meals are available at a cost of $4 for visitors and $2 for spouses. Please contact the front desk to secure a meal ticket.

Mulberry Health offers complete laundry services for our residents, but we understand that, in some cases, families will want to handle laundry on their own. If that’s the case, please inform a nursing team member upon arrival. If not, we’ll assign you a laundry number to insure that your items are cared for and returned properly. Laundry hours are from 5AM-3:30PM.

Yes! Salon services such as haircuts, shampoo and sets, perms and color treatments are available at scheduled times, Monday through Friday. Charges for such services will be billed privately.

At your request, Mulberry Health will manage the personal funds of the resident through a “trust fund.” Mulberry will provide quarterly accounting of the funds and keep a record of all transactions involving the resident’s funds.

We enjoy and encourage brief visits from furry friends at Mulberry Health — provided vaccinations are current and size/behaviors are appropriate — however, overnight stays and visits during meal times are prohibited.

Absolutely! We recognize the difficulty our residents face in leaving home for any length of time and understand the importance of making personal space as comfortable as possible. We provide a hospital-style bed, chair, nightstand, over-the-bed table and storage units, and will make every effort to accommodate reasonable furniture additions in each room. 

Have a TV? Bring it! Enjoy music? Bring a radio! Family pictures? We’d love to see them. Whatever we can do to make your stay more comfortable, just let us know. 

Yes, WiFi is available throughout the facility — so laptops,  iPads and other devices are all welcome. (Ask at the front desk for this month’s password.) 

Mulberry Health is open daily from 8AM to 7PM and visitors are welcome during those hours. If special circumstances require you to visit before or after normal hours, please contact social services to make arrangements in advance.

Mulberry Health has a large room with plenty of space that residents and their families can reserve, free of charge, for parties, events and group gatherings. The Community Room has an available kitchenette and tables/chairs are provided. Please contact the front desk to schedule a time and make arrangements in advance.

We believe that when we laugh together, we open the pathway of communication and, ultimately, help heal. So yes, bring your smile and plenty of laughs along for your stay.

When nearing discharge, our therapy team will perform an in-home evaluation to ensure that the environment is functionally safe. The relevant therapist will accompany the resident and family to the home and do a room-to-room sweep to ensure that the environment and resident are functionally safe and help inform the resident of the ‘dos’ and ‘don’t dos’ of home life with their condition in mind. 

Upon discharge, the Mulberry Health social services team will help coordinate any necessary referrals and recommendations, including physician’s orders, medical equipment, follow up doctor’s appointments, home health, hospice and/or outpatient therapy services and pharmaceutical needs.

Yes you should. Within 7-10 days of your discharge, you’ll receive a call from a Mulberry Health staff member to make sure that:

• Any questions you have regarding your medications are answered 
• All necessary follow up appointments with your physician(s) have been scheduled
• If you need home health or outpatient therapy, the proper referrals have been made

Our unwavering goal is to reduce the risk of potential re-admissions or re-hospitalizations, so we just want to make sure your transition home is safe and complete. 

Yes we do. Mulberry Health specializes in a full array of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and wound care services, offered both on an in-patient and out-patient basis. And the best part? A stay at Mulberry Health isn’t even required. So if you or a loved one require outpatient therapy of any kind, our team of full-time, in-house therapists can help.

Yes we do. Please email info@mulberryhealth.com or inquire with Kay Walton, our Director of Human Resources for more information on frequency and eligibility.

At Mulberry Health, we know that the very core of our community is our employees — those who serve our residents. That’s why, in 2015, we began selecting several talented staff members each year to receive a full-ride scholarship to Ivy Tech Community College of Lafayette to become licensed practical nurses. We believe that learning is an essential part of the full, rich and meaningful life we strive to provide, so our hope is that by fostering the growth of our most talented and passionate employees, our commitment to offering a truly exceptional nursing staff will thrive.

For more, watch these videos:

Yes — we love volunteers. In fact, we have a special awards ceremony luncheon each year where we recognize all of our amazing volunteers and celebrate a “Volunteer of the Year.” Whether it’s playing cards or reading books with residents, singing with a group or sitting down for a good old fashioned conversation, Mulberry Health volunteers bring our care to life in a very special way.

If you’d like to volunteer, send Activities Director Charlotte Carlson an email at activities@mulberryhealth.com or call (765) 296-2911. 

Short-term rehab refers to a type of care for those recovering from a surgery or illness. These residents typically transition from a hospital setting and often require an intensive therapy program. The in-house therapy team at Mulberry Health specializes in many types of rehabilitation designed to help residents reclaim their health, strength and lifestyle before returning home.

Long-term care refers to custodial care, social and housing services provided over a lengthy duration that varies by resident. The care teams at Mulberry Health provide 24/7 support for residents living with chronic health problems that limit their ability to perform everyday activities like walking, bathing, dressing, preparing meals and eating.

Mulberry Health is proud to offer , a 38-unit independent living community located adjacent to the healthcare facility for those age 55 and up.

Memory care refers to a distinct type of long-term nursing care that specifically caters to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. At Mulberry Health, we offer a secure unit with personalized care programs specifically designed to meet the needs of each resident and maintain or increase their quality of life.

Hospice care refers to a specialized service designed to provide comfort and quality of life for residents and their families loved ones during the advanced stages of qualifying illnesses. Mulberry Health accommodates hospice care and can make arrangements for hospice care to be provided.

Home health care refers to a wide range of healthcare services administered in your home. Mulberry Health can provide referrals for Home Health to be provided should you need it upon discharge.