By skyforbes My father is currently hospitalized from Parkinson’s-related falls and will be discharged to a SNF in the coming days. He has Medicare and I’m aware of the coverage and benefits (including their limitations).
My dad does not have many assets (basically $5500 in a checking account) and limited income ($3100 a month in SS).
However, I know that even if he doesn’t need permanent long term care IMMEDIATELY he likely will in the next year or two. His monthly expenses are very low.
Ohio allows for QIT to qualify for long term care Medicaid and I’m wondering if it would be better to just establish the QIT now and apply for the long-term Medicaid now vs waiting for the time it’s actually needed.
So I guess my questions are:
1) If we set up the QIT, should we just go ahead and apply for Medicaid too?
2) If we do apply for Medicaid, does he have to use LTSS immediately? We could likely just apply for a home care waiver and actually get him more assistance at home before he transitions into long term care, but also if he doesn’t, is that fine?
3) When he sets up the QIT, does Medicaid allow him to use the left over money in his actual account (basically $2902 a month) fully? Like can he continue to just make car payments and insurance payments and rent payments as normal?
4) If he qualifies for a home based health care service through Long Term Medicaid, is that just covered through Medicaid, or is it expected his leftover income each month that’s not in the QIT will be used on it?
Again, I’m speaking with an elder law attorney soon, but just one of those people that really wants to know if my mind is on the right track first
Thanks everyone for your help