Question:

Since Medicaid nursing home residents typically have to share a room, does the pandemic discredit giving all your assets to a trust for inheritance purposes? By relying on support for nursing home care, are you putting yourself at greater risk of being exposed to the virus? Would you want to have your assets to pay for a single room and the best nursing home arrangement your money could buy and not rely on the goodwill of your children?

Response:

That’s a great question. In theory, nursing homes are not supposed to discriminate based on form of payment. Residents with Medicaid coverage have the same rights as those who are private pay. But what’s on paper and the reality of nursing home finances can be quite different. While a resident’s family can fight a transfer from a single room to a shared room when a patient goes from private pay to Medicaid coverage, it’s very difficult to get a private room in the first place if you’re dependent on Medicaid.

Further, if you have the resources, you may be able to avoid a nursing home entirely, continuing to live at home or in assisted living with support as needed.

Keeping your assets definitely gives you more flexibility and control over your living and care options. Unfortunately, in our society, power and safety go to those with money, whether politically or personally. So, it’s up to each of us to balance our concerns for ourselves and any desire we may have to provide for our children.

 

Related Articles:

The Complicated Medicaid Transfer Rules

Asset Limits for Medicaid Coverage of Nursing Home Care

Advance Medicaid Planning

How Can I Use a Trust to Protect my Money from Going to a Nursing Home?