Most people don’t expect to end up in a nursing home for care, and this can cause confusion when trying to get payment set up for a loved one. Medicaid in Massachusetts is a possibility for your payment, but you must know how the application process works.
MassHealth as a Payment Source for Nursing Home Care
A long term stay in a nursing home can be extremely expensive. MassHealth is a very common source of funding for long term care, but it is important to know when it will and will not apply for an assisted living facility or nursing home. Private health insurance policies typically do not cover long term care, and many people cannot afford the rising premiums of long term care insurance policies. MassHealth has an income limit for long term care and if you are age 65 or older, you can qualify if your income is set at or below 100% of the federal poverty rate. Anyone who already receives SSI, for example, is eligible to receive MassHealth.
Maintaining Assets and Income for a Spouse
If your income is above this federal poverty limit, but you still need assistance with your nursing home costs, if you have significant medical expenses, this may be one other way for you to apply. You must also have no more than a few thousand dollars in resources. You can verify whether or not you meet the income and asset eligibility requirements by checking what those are in 2022. Be aware that if you have a spouse who will continue to live independently, then Massachusetts will allow you to maintain more assets and income in order to support that spouse as part of a couple.
Using an Elder Care Attorney for Medicaid in Massachusetts
Planning ahead for Medicaid in Massachusetts is extremely important. The support of an experienced and dedicated estate planning lawyer can assist you with that process.
