Health First Colorado, the state Medicaid program, offers several key types of benefits for older adults. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid can pay for the cost of a room in a nursing home. Medicaid can also help cover the costs of home health services.
Older adults attempting to age in place may struggle to meet their own daily needs. They may require assistance with certain medical matters and independent living tasks, such as cleaning and cooking. Those who believe they may eventually require support due to age and medical challenges can hire a lawyer. With the support of an elder law attorney, they can plan in advance to make it easier to qualify for Health First Colorado benefits when they require long-term care later in life.
How can an attorney help an individual aspiring to secure long-term care Medicaid benefits?
Assistance with advance planning
The Medicaid application process is notoriously complex. Individuals have to meet very strict standards for their countable assets and their income. Lawyers can help people assess their current circumstances and determine what moves are necessary to ensure eligibility quickly when the need for benefits arises. They can help their clients make strategic moves that can streamline the application process, increase the chances of approval and reduce the risk of a penalty.
Support while applying
Even with the strategy already in place to protect an individual’s eligibility, the application process can be frustratingly complex. Many people struggle to manage challenging paperwork while they must simultaneously deal with medical challenges. An attorney who is already familiar with an individual’s needs can assist them with the application process, including helping them prepare for functional evaluations and a review of their financial resources.
Insight into the protection of a spouse
Married people face unique challenges when they apply for Medicaid. They typically do not want to make mistakes that could impoverish their spouses. They need to consider how limiting income and countable assets could affect family finances. They may need to take steps to preserve key resources, such as shared financial accounts or the home where the spouses live together. The right strategies can help protect both spouses by preserving resources and limiting direct financial obligations related to medical care later in life.
Making the decision to plan well in advance for Health First Colorado’s long-term care benefits can make a major difference for older adults and their spouses. Proper planning can make applying easier and reduce the likelihood of penalties and delays when people need support later in life.