Medical Assistance & Long-term Care Planning
The uncertainty of what the future holds can be disturbing. Planning for that uncertainty can be overwhelming and confusing without help to guide the way.
Despite hoping that we will never need to be admitted to an assisted living facility or a nursing home, sometimes our choices are limited. Not only is the choice emotional, but financial implications can make the transition even more difficult.
Few people are prepared to absorb the costs of long-term care. Paying for assisted living and nursing home care for an extended period of time can deplete hard earned savings, leaving few options for a spouse who is still living at home or for family who is trying to respect their loved one’s wishes.
Ruder Ware’s team of elder law attorneys understand it takes a lifetime to grow your assets, and they are prepared to help you navigate the long-term care maze. Our attorneys skillfully guide clients—whether it’s children of elderly parents, individuals, or couples—with empathy and respect through this complicated process. They’re armed with creative solutions intended to ease minds and hearts.
- Pre-Planning – Are you hoping to protect your assets and home to avoid it all being used to pay for your long-term care someday?
When our clients are considering pre-planning, often the questions at the top of their minds include:
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- Can I protect my house from a nursing home lien?
- Who is eligible for Medicaid/Medical Assistance?
- Is it too late to start planning?
- Will a trust protect my assets?
- Can I get help to pay for assisted living?
- Crisis Planning – Have you or a loved one recently been admitted to a nursing home or assisted living facility?
When a move into an assisted living or a nursing home has occurred or is imminent, some of the questions our clients have are:
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- What do I do if a loved one has been recently admitted to a nursing home or assisted living facility?
- Will my savings be enough to pay for my care?
- Do I need to spend-down to $2,000 to qualify for Medicaid?
- What do I do when my inheritance or the sale of my house puts my Medicaid at risk?
- Where do I start?
Our team has worked with countless clients to address these issues as well as related issues
Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.
Posted on October 26, 2022 by Jessica A. Merkel
Paying for nursing-home and long-term care can seem daunting when the cost can be $5,000 to $12,000 per month – or more. When a married couple is no longer able or willing to privately pay out of pocket for care and chooses to apply for Medicaid, it’s a complex process. The Medicaid agency must analyze […]
Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jessica A. Merkel
Do you prefer face-to-face meetings? Do you struggle getting through a phone tree or finding what you need online? Many of our clients receive Social Security Retirement benefits, Social Security Disability benefits, and various other benefits provided through the Social Security Administration (the “SSA”). Recently, Kilolo Kijakazi, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that […]
Posted on November 23, 2021 by Mark D. Munson and Jessica A. Merkel
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently released key Medicare figures for 2022 that will affect all elderly and disabled individuals who receive program benefits. This notice summarizes the changes and their impact on various benefits. As is normally the case, Medicare deductibles and premiums have both increased and decreased for 2022. Many […]
Posted on August 9, 2021 by Jessica A. Merkel
On Friday, August 6, 2021, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed into law six new laws for Wisconsin. One of the new laws, addresses five key issues regarding the elderly. They are: Increased penalties for crimes committed against an elderly individual. Increased the penalty for the sexual assault of an elderly individual. Creates a crime of […]
Posted on June 16, 2021 by Shanna N. Fink
Summertime is a special time of year in Wisconsin. It brings many families to cabins where they create memories and traditions that will be cherished forever. However, many problems arise if families do not create a plan for the future ownership and management of the family cabin. The cabin may be subject to the claims […]
Posted on June 1, 2021 by Mark D. Munson and Jessica A. Merkel
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently announced the “minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance” (“MMMNA”) will be increased from $2,873.34 to $2,903.34 starting on July 1, 2021. As part of laws designed to prevent spousal impoverishment due to the high cost of long-term care, the “community spouse” (who is the spouse of an individual receiving […]
Posted on May 10, 2021 by Ruder Ware Alumni
We all want to save time and money when possible. So, when I am asked if the standard Wisconsin power of attorney for finances is sufficient, I understand the motivation to put a crucial document in place quickly and economically. The state form is legally valid and will give your agent certain powers to manage […]
Posted on January 6, 2021 by Ruder Ware Alumni
UPDATE: Our July 28, 2020, post informed you that the Wisconsin Medicaid divisor would remain unchanged in 2020. As we enter 2021, the Medicaid divisor will now be changed as follows. These changes are effective as of January 1, 2021. New daily average divisor = $303.38 New monthly average divisor = $9,227.81 If you have […]
Posted on November 23, 2020 by Mark D. Munson
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently released key Medicare figures for 2021 that will affect all elderly and disabled individuals who receive program benefits. This notice summarizes the changes and their impact on various benefits. As is normally the case, Medicare deductibles and premiums have increased for 2021. Many deductibles and co-pays […]
Posted on October 19, 2020 by Mark D. Munson and Jessica A. Merkel
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently released key figures for 2021 that will affect all elderly and disabled individuals who receive program benefits, including social security retirement benefits, social security disability insurance (“SSDI”) income, and supplemental security income (“SSI”). This notice summarizes the changes and their impact on various benefits. Social Security Retirement Recipients of […]
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