Long-Term Care
With our aging population and advancements in medical technology allowing people to live longer than ever before, access to long-term health care in the United States has become increasingly complicated, confusing, and expensive. Medicare is health insurance offered to people over the age of 65 or who have been receiving Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months. Private health insurance and Medicare supplemental policies cover additional medical expenses, depending on the type of policy in which you choose to enroll. Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, and private health insurance pay only a limited number of days in long-term rehabilitation facilities. Most people are surprised to learn that Medicare and private health insurance do not pay for long-term care at home, custodial care in skilled nursing facilities, or assisted living and memory care facilities. There are three ways to pay for long-term care: (1) private pay, (2) long-term care insurance, and (3) public benefits, including Medicaid and VA benefits. Medicaid benefits may be available to pay for care in a skilled nursing facility, but the benefit available for assisted living and in-home care is very limited. Additionally, Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for additional government benefits to reimburse medical expenses and long-term care. An Elder Law attorney can help you create an individualized long-term care plan to address these issues and outline your wishes for health and long-term care decisions through the appropriate documents.
