Episode Summary
Medicaid is a valuable federal program that primarily applies to nursing home and in-home care. The law is open to some interpretation by individual states, so it’s important to consult professionals you can trust to guide you through the legal and financial complexities of the program.
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. Jeff is skilled at explaining legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language, as he does in this discussion of the current state of Medicaid as applied in Pennsylvania.
Key Takeaways
02:17 – Medicaid basics
Medicaid is a federal program originating with The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA-2005) and The Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA-1996)
The laws apply primarily to nursing home and long-term care (LTC)
Although based in federal legislation, some aspects of the law can vary by state
04:04 – Pennsylvania has state-specific interpretations of the law
Pennsylvania (PA) offers a Long-Term Care Handbook, which is available online
Interpretations can vary by county and even by caseworker
The PA Department of Human Services has final say if there is disagreement in how the state and an individual interpret the law
08:38 – Medicare is not Medicaid
Medicare does not cover nursing home care and LTC
Under Medicare, an individual admitted to the hospital for more than 3 consecutive midnights, can go into an LTC facility for rehab for up to 100 days
Non-compliant or non-participatory rehab patients could lose LTC funding and be forced into private pay
11:31 – PA Community HealthChoices Waiver
This Medicaid program provides in-home care for people with income less than $2,523/month
It can be difficult to qualify for in-home care if a person has income of more $2,523 per month
An excess income trust (see Achieva Family Trust in Pittsburgh) is a possible option for an individual with monthly income of $2,523 plus $500
14:22 – In-home and LTC staffing concerns
During Covid-19 pandemic, agencies had difficulty staffing in-home caregivers
Staffing shortages have lessened, but it’s still difficult in some counties
If staffing is not available for in-home care, a person might need to use an LTC facility
16:34 – Your assets can be protected
The monetary limits discussed above will change in 2023
When a person qualifies for Medicaid in PA, the amount of money they can keep depends upon their income
If an individual dies and has assets (in their name alone) of more than $2,400, the state can recover funds from the estate
Hire a professional for guidance if you know someone in a nursing home or someone who might need LTC within 6-12 months
Links and Resources Mentioned
Bellomo & Associates workshops, including Medicaid
https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Pennsylvania (PA) Long-Term Care Handbook
http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/ltc/Long-Term_Care_Handbook.htm
Achieva Family Trust
https://www.achieva.info/family-trust
For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
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When someone calls Bellomo & Associates looking for information for the first time, they speak with Intake Specialist Jacob Sherman. Jacobs passion for helping others, especially during a tough time, is evident from the start. As a provider of what Jeff calls, service extraordinaire, Jacob ensures that a persons initial interaction with Bellomo is helpful and positive. Jacob applies that same level of commitment to his work as a health coach. Jacob introduced Jeff to OPTAVIA, the program of healthy habits that Jeff has used to lose 100 pounds. Both men have had life-changing success with the program. This discussion of their journeys back to health is truly inspiring.Learn more about OPTAVIA at https://www.optavia.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-hope-in-loss-meet-jacob-sherman/id1634278675?i=1000633436555 YouTube: https://youtu.be/gRX7g5KgJfo Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mZUon8zLh3kQ5sV3syum6?si=Y6YL8zsbQeCpjcWUV7pPzQ
Jeff reflects on his many years as an attorney and shares the advice he would give himself as a young lawyer. As it turns out, his advice consists of universal truths: think differently; keep learning and growing; be clear, consistent, and honest in your communications; accept that people need to make their own decisions in their own time; nurture and value your relationships; and, most of all, cherish your loved ones and tell them how you feel. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reflecting-on-universal-truths-jeffs-advice-to-his/id1634278675?i=1000632666319 YouTube: https://youtu.be/O3LeJuvnnr4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C2Xh0q5o6BhtWTK7cYKtO?si=F6k6_r8dTzaXAdKvnQjsGg
Episode 64: Dont Gamble with Your Legacy: Choosing the Right Professionals for Elder Law and Estate Planning Jeff answers another set of commonly asked questions in this last part of our series. But keep your questions coming! Along with guest interviews and deep dives into special topics, we will continue to address your questions periodically. And, of course, were happy to assist you in our workshops, meetings, and all of the ways we interact. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-gamble-with-your-legacy-choosing-the/id1634278675?i=1000631821067 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ftFVvtreyMw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mZanpnQgggg8F5Cwo4HDX?si=uQOIDttpTAmi6tyMLg4VWQ