I cannot seem to get a straight answer either from Medicaid or the community Office on Aging about what happens if my dad gets Medicaid now, but since he doesn't need it yet (but could very well need it before the end of the year for home aides), can we wait out the spend down until he does need it? I want to get Medicaid approved now because the lookback period becomes 2.5 years in April and I know he created penalties during that time with his money. When he does need it, then I would get a pooled trust for the money he gets that is over the $875 limit so he can pay all his bills and food and avoid the spend down. Does anyone know anything about what happens if he does get Medicaid now, and doesn't address the spend down until later in the year?
http://www.wnylc.com/health/news/85/
The life of an elder can change in a minute. I think it would be better to be qualified ahead of time rather than wait for an emergency.
And why would the AAA tell you to apply if it isn't the right thing to do?