I always thought that as long as the person has no more than $2000 in assets, they could get Medicaid. All of their income, minus a small amount for personal care, would go to the nursing home, and Medicaid would pick up the rest.
Is it true that if a person has an income of, for instance, $1800 a month from SS and no other assets, they can't get Medicaid? No nursing home is only $1800 a month.
No, it's not true. It's going to vary state-by-state, but the SNF medicaid is need-based. In my mom's care the SNF is ~$9,000 a month. All of her social security and pension goes to the SNF except for like about $50 a month. Medicaid pays for the difference between the $9k and her income.
The $$$$ part is important BUT being able to clearly show to be “at need” for skilled nursing care in a NH has to also be there AND isn’t just automatic. Medical need for skilled has to be documented over time in health chart and a needs assessment done that shows that as well.
Most NH admits come from a post hospitalization discharge to a NH for “rehab”. Post hospitalization Rehab is a MediCARE benefit for up to 100 days if progressing. But once no longer progressing, they can usually segueway from rehab patient to LTC resident and they will have a nice fat chart to show “need”.
But if your elder is still living at home or in IL or AL, they may not have existing documentation to show medical need for skilled nursing care. Imo if this is your situation, getting a independent needs assessment done will be worthwhile to do.
For LTC in NJ the cap is around 2300. What you need to do is call ur State Medicaid to find out what their cap is.