An Easy Guide to Wrongful Death Claims An Easy Guide to Wrongful Death Claims


About Me

An Easy Guide to Wrongful Death Claims

When my friend lost her husband after an accident at work, we naturally assumed that his employer would do right by the family. We were surprised to find out that the company had no intentions of doing anything over than sending flowers to the funeral. A group of us immediately went to work helping our friend get what was rightfully hers. Wrongful death laws are complex and we soon found ourselves in over our heads. Once we started working with an attorney, we began to understand what we were reading. I started this blog because I want others in the same situation as my friend to have the resources needed to get the settlement they deserve.

Tags

Latest Posts

DUI Vs. DWI: What Is The Difference?
1 June 2023

Two terms that frequently come up with impaired dr

How To Potentially Get Damages After A Hit-And-Run Accident
26 April 2023

Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a

How To Win Your Personal Injury Case In Court
21 March 2023

Going to court is an intimidating prospect for man

Hair Straightener Products Might Increase Your Risk Of Uterine Cancer
15 February 2023

It's essential to stay up-to-date on products that

Benefits Of Hiring A Lawyer After Suffering A Maritime Injury Caused By Negligence
16 January 2023

If you work in the maritime industry as a seaman,

Estate Planning: Understanding The Five Year Look Back Period Of Assets For Medicaid

If you have considerable assets, it's important to protect your hard-earned resources. At 65 years old, Medicare benefits begin, but this is not the same for Medicaid benefits. Many consumers get confused between the two, and believe they are interchangeable. The difference is that Medicare is health insurance for people over 65, while Medicaid covers long-term nursing home needs for those that can no longer afford it.

Medicaid Has a Five Year Look Back Period

This means that if you have transferred assets to your children, grandchildren, or other recipients, you can be penalized if these assets were transferred in the five-year period prior to the date of you entering a nursing home and needing long-term care. Medicaid is a welfare program for people who no longer have any assets. Any assets given away, put in a trust, or transferred five years or more are not considered when you apply for Medicaid.

Qualifying for Medicaid Benefits

If you have $100,000 in the bank at the time you enter the nursing home, you are expected to pay for the cost of the nursing home (approximately $10,000) a month, until your money runs out. Once your assets are gone, you will qualify for Medicaid benefits. If you want to leave money to any heirs, it is critical to be proactive, before you have the need for long-term care.

Poor Planning Can Result in Penalties for Giving Away Assets During the Look Back Period

Poor planning can cause all kinds of problems when you need long-term care but you can't afford it. If you gave away all of your assets during the previous five years, Medicaid can deny you coverage, and you will be scrambling to recover these assets in order to pay for a nursing home. The only way to avoid these penalties is to meet with an estate planning attorney (such as one from Mackevich, Burke & Stanicki) and discuss your options.

Once You Qualify for Medicaid

Once you are in a nursing home long term and you have qualified for Medicaid, it is imperative to understand that any social security or pension benefits you receive go directly to the facility you are living in. You are allowed to keep a small stipend (roughly $90 a month) for your needs, and if you have not planned ahead, this is all you will have available to you. Qualifying for Medicaid means your medical bills will be covered, but you will have little spending money every month if you have not set aside a small trust for your personal needs.