Nursing homes are a very expensive proposition for most seniors, especially in a state like New York. Rental prices are high enough, and nursing homes can come to $100,000 or $120,000 a year. Most insurance policies do not provide sufficient coverage for long term residential care, while Medicare is even less accommodating. It is possible to buy insurance policies specifically tailored for long term care, but very few New York residents have those policies.
With so many people needing funds for long term nursing care, Medicaid is often the solution. Studies show that around 70% of people living in New York nursing homes receive some form of Medicaid.
What is a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes are residential areas where seniors can live. These facilities provide full nursing support to their residents, with seniors getting around the clock care. They are available to anyone who is 65 years old or more, suffering from a disability, or blind. Medicaid provides funding for nursing homes in cases where the financial limits are met.
Income Limits
There are income limits that must be met in order to qualify for Medicaid. In New York, these income limits stand at $800 or less per month for one person. This is roughly 85% of the Federal Poverty Level.
For people who do not have this level of income, there are other ways to meet the requirements. New York Medicaid allows for citizens to spend some of their monthly income on necessary medical expenses. If their income following that spending is less than $800 a month, they qualify for Medicaid nursing home assistance.
Other citizens will pay a portion of their income to the Social Services department in order to maintain eligibility. For example, someone who earns $900 per month can pay $100 to the Social Security department as a donation, allowing them to remain eligible for Medicaid.
Limits to Resources
When asking for Medicaid in relation to nursing homes, a person's total assets also come into consideration. If the individual has total assets of less than $15,000, they qualify for assistance. The relevant figure for couples is $22,000. One automobile per couple is exempt from this calculation.
Nursing Homes and Medical Necessity
If you do not qualify for assistance through your income levels, you may qualify because of medical necessity. There are many seniors who are deemed medically incapable of living by themselves. For these people, living at a nursing home is not a choice, it is a requirement.
If someone is deemed unable to walk around every day and perform the necessary functions for survival, they are medically required to stay at a nursing home. Qualifying on this provision requires extensive checking from doctors and the relevant Medicaid officers.
Someone wanting to qualify for Medicaid nursing home assistance through necessity will have to speak with an evaluator. This evaluator will go through the different hospital forms, determining health status and other factors.
The evaluator will determine how much care the senior needs, what type of nursing home will best suit their needs, and how much compensation Medicaid can provide. This can be a difficult process, but Medicaid is very accommodating after they have determined medical necessity. The state of New York knows how expensive nursing homes can be, and Medicaid does everything they can to make the adjustment easier for seniors.
With so many people needing funds for long term nursing care, Medicaid is often the solution. Studies show that around 70% of people living in New York nursing homes receive some form of Medicaid.
What is a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes are residential areas where seniors can live. These facilities provide full nursing support to their residents, with seniors getting around the clock care. They are available to anyone who is 65 years old or more, suffering from a disability, or blind. Medicaid provides funding for nursing homes in cases where the financial limits are met.
Income Limits
There are income limits that must be met in order to qualify for Medicaid. In New York, these income limits stand at $800 or less per month for one person. This is roughly 85% of the Federal Poverty Level.
For people who do not have this level of income, there are other ways to meet the requirements. New York Medicaid allows for citizens to spend some of their monthly income on necessary medical expenses. If their income following that spending is less than $800 a month, they qualify for Medicaid nursing home assistance.
Other citizens will pay a portion of their income to the Social Services department in order to maintain eligibility. For example, someone who earns $900 per month can pay $100 to the Social Security department as a donation, allowing them to remain eligible for Medicaid.
Limits to Resources
When asking for Medicaid in relation to nursing homes, a person's total assets also come into consideration. If the individual has total assets of less than $15,000, they qualify for assistance. The relevant figure for couples is $22,000. One automobile per couple is exempt from this calculation.
Nursing Homes and Medical Necessity
If you do not qualify for assistance through your income levels, you may qualify because of medical necessity. There are many seniors who are deemed medically incapable of living by themselves. For these people, living at a nursing home is not a choice, it is a requirement.
If someone is deemed unable to walk around every day and perform the necessary functions for survival, they are medically required to stay at a nursing home. Qualifying on this provision requires extensive checking from doctors and the relevant Medicaid officers.
Someone wanting to qualify for Medicaid nursing home assistance through necessity will have to speak with an evaluator. This evaluator will go through the different hospital forms, determining health status and other factors.
The evaluator will determine how much care the senior needs, what type of nursing home will best suit their needs, and how much compensation Medicaid can provide. This can be a difficult process, but Medicaid is very accommodating after they have determined medical necessity. The state of New York knows how expensive nursing homes can be, and Medicaid does everything they can to make the adjustment easier for seniors.