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Frisse & Brewster Law Offices
It's not about how much. It's about what's important.
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~ What exactly is the Medicaid Program and who is eligible?
The Medicaid Program was created to provide financial assistance for the care of those in need. The federal government designed Medicaid and funds the majority of the program. Each state, however, has the authority to make changes in the rules that govern the eligibilty of its own citizens and these rules are always under review and subject to change.
It’s fair to say that the Medicaid Program is in crisis. States are typically many months behind in their payments to nursing homes. In their effort to maintain financial solvency, both the federal and state govenments actively seek ways to limit eligibility to those truly in need. The problem is that their idea of those deserving assistance is probably not the same as yours.
Contrary to what you may have heard, there’s nothing wrong or illegal about planning for Medicaid eligibility. As a rule-driven benefit program, you either meet the rules and qualify or you don’t. You can follow the law and still make changes in the assets you own as part of an advanced plan.
Our firm is one of the few in the region that provides Medicaid eligibilty information and planning services for both Illinois and Indiana residents.
We offer free workshops to explain the Medicaid process and your planning options so that you can find out what you need to know and do before you make any financial decisions.
~ If I go into a nursing home, will I lose my home? I wanted my children to inherit it!
You do not have to lose your home just because you need nursing home care.
~ It’s too expensive to hire an attorney and I don’t have much, anyway.
The average monthly cost of nursing home care is $3500 and rising. Planning with an attorney typically costs less than that. The older you get and the less you have to live on, the more important it is to protect what you have.
~ What exactly is Long Term Care Insurance and does it make sense for me?
We don’t sell insurance but we can help you understand the basics of such coverage. We can even recommend a respected, experienced insurance professional if this is the right decision for you.
~ Don’t I have to wait three years after giving things away before I can apply for benefits?
Not necessarily. This is a commonly misunderstood concern that we can clear up for you. In most cases, you can provide an inheritance for your children and still become legally eligible for Medicaid benefits.
The real key to Medicaid planning is timing. Because you can’t usually predict exactly when you’ll need it, you can miss the opportunity to plan.
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