Now being billed for dialysis. He failed to sign up for Medicare Part B. (shaking head). Now he is being billed thousands of dollars a month for dialysis. We are trying to sell our raised ranch home and move to a single story home because he is now a double amputee and cannot do stairs. I need my "spend down" money to go for a new home. Also trying to get him on Medicaid so I can get help. What a mess!
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Most Medicaid is for an individual is pretty straightforward: 2K in income 2K in non exempt assets. For CS there are all sorts of variables and interpretation.
One ? to ask is how they (the attorney) deals with CS MMNA or CSRA. MMNA is Monthy Mainteneance Needs Allowance. CSRA = Community Spouse Resource Allowance. What it's called depends on your state. Both are kinda like alimony for the non NH spouse. The formula is state set and varies. You want to get the max MMNA that you can from the get go. SOme state have the base figure set hysterically low, so you appeal to get more MMNA $. Other states max is pretty high (Like TX max MMNA is $ 2,200.00 which is high). I think you need an attorney to maximize all this. It is really hard for a CS to deal with the minutia of details as you are probably more focused on the day to day needs of hubby.
Also Medicaid for NH will be somewhat different than his getting Medicaid for community based services. Really so much of this will be depend on your state.
About the house, I totally understand why the move. You should look at what happens if the sale of old home is more that purchase of new home as the gain may make him ineligible. Ask attorney what the debtor laws are for your state. Some states (like TX) do not at all allow CC / medical creditors to place a claim on the house. Your bank account they can but not your house. Other states not so much pro-property rights. Whatever the case, do realize that if he goes onto Medicaid, upon his death the state has to do an inquiry as to whether or not a Medicaid Estate Recovery claim or lien can be done. As the spouse, you are exempt from this but will have to in a timely manner file paperwork as to that.
Once again the elder attorney will come in handy to deal with this. Your relationship with the elder lawyer will be for years, so make sure you are comfortable with their style. Good luck and try to take time for yourself.
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