Re: medicaid/medicare--mother is 81 and legally blind; is she eligible for nursing home benefits?

Answer:
Medicare does not pay for long term care benefits. They will pay for short term care (less than 100 days) if the doctor certifies she needs skilled nursing and otherwise qualifies. If she has a Medicare Advantage plan she can get 100 days without any qualifiers but may have to pay a portion.

Medicaid does pay for long term care. To qualify she needs to meet the income and asset limitations (each state is different). The state will count her assets such as cash, stocks, bonds, investments and retirement plans and some cash value life insurance. They will require her to use those assets to pay for the care and will require she use any income over a certain amount. They will not count (nor take) her home, household furnishings, car, wedding ring or burial plan in most cases but may place a lien on the property at death.

If she has a long term care insurance policy she can receive benefits up to the policy limits.

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It depends upon the size of her estate. If she owns a house, for instance, that might be enough to disqualify her. You should seek the advice of an attorney who is well versed in this area of the law.

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Yes, if she has trouble with "daily living" activities. For instance, does she need help bathing? dressing? eating? walking or getting around? Taking medication? That's the acid test for whether care is needed in a nursing home.

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