Public Benefits

When a disabled or indigent person needs medical treatment or care in a support facility such as an assisted living arrangement or a nursing home, there are two primary sources of public support.

Medicaid

Medicaid covers the cost of prescription medications, medical care and long term care in facilities that provide skilled care, that is, nursing homes.   Medicaid does not pay for care in an assisted living facility.  Medicare will pay only for short term rehabilitation for covered citizens following hospitalization. Medicare does not pay for long term care.

To qualify for Medicaid under current regulations, one must have no more than $2,000 in assets, although there are some assets that are exempt, and have limited income.  The resources of the spouse of a married Medicaid applicant may be considered the resources of the applicant in certain cases. 

Given the high cost of medical care and anticipated changes in the nation’s health care system, an individual’s or a couple’s long term financial plan should include consideration of how to best preserve assets to assure that they will be available to support their needs for the longest term possible.

Aid & Attendance

Veterans who served for at least ninety days on active duty, at least one of which was during wartime (whether in the theater of war or not), and are disabled may qualify for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Low income pension and home bound benefits may be available to cover expenses of home care.  Aid and Attendance benefits may be available to supplement the cost of long term care in an assisted living facility. 

Mr. Dutton can provide advice and assistance to those who may be eligible for these benefits and to their families.