How Do I Pay for Long-term Care?
Friday, July 20th, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Out-of-pocket expenses for long-term care can be overwhelming. Families are often shocked to find that their care needs will likely outlast their savings. If paying out-of-pocket is not possible now or sustainable long-term, there are two main sources of assistance to pay for an elder loved one’s care: TennCare CHOICES, which is Tennessee’s Medicaid program […]
Read More »Is It Too Late to Plan for Medicaid/TennCare? Saving Assets from “Spend Down” in a Crisis
Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Amelia Crotwell, CELA My Gran is turning 107 today, and I’ll get to visit with her over the weekend. I can’t wait to see her and sit in the courtyard, hold her hand, and talk about flowers, birds, and relatives. We decided against the Big Birthday Party this year as we’ve been having big birthday […]
Read More »TennCare and the Home: It May Not Be as Bad as You Think
Friday, June 8th, 2018 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Among the many reasons people are uncertain about applying for TennCare, one of the most prominent (and scary) is the prospect of losing the family home. Lots of people hear that if they apply for TennCare to pay for long-term care, the State or the nursing home will “take the home.” Some folks are told […]
Read More »What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
Tuesday, June 5th, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
When it comes to paying for care, families are often confused about which program pays for what services. Both Medicare and Medicaid may cover different aspects of a single person’s care, and it’s important to understand the role of each program. What is Medicare? Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, certain people […]
Read More »Types of TennCare: CHOICES for Long-term Care
Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
There are many different branches of TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program. It is not one overarching program that covers all your needs once you are enrolled; rather, different TennCare programs meet different needs or serve different populations. The programs vary from insurance for low income families and children, to hospice services, to hospitalization coverage in emergencies, […]
Read More »Medicaid? TennCare? CHOICES? – What’s the Difference?
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Julia Keck Price, Elder Law Attorney What do all these words mean? Long before my ELET days, when my grandmother was admitted to a nursing home for rehab, a therapist asked me if I was going to apply for TennCare for her. I said no, she has Medicare and Tricare, she doesn’t need insurance. A […]
Read More »Medicaid in Tennessee: How to Apply for TennCare CHOICES
Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 | Legal Insights, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Tennessee residents who need Medicaid to help pay for long-term care need to apply for TennCare CHOICES. This program pays for long-term services and supports in a nursing home, at an assisted living, or in the home. If you or a loved one is already in a rehab facility, you may be approached by facility […]
Read More »How to Qualify for TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid Program
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
With costs in the thousands of dollars per month, paying for long-term care at home or in an assisted living or nursing home can be a huge financial hit for an individual or family. TennCare CHOICES, Tennessee’s Medicaid program for long-term care benefits, is often the solution that helps people get the care they need. […]
Read More »Tennessee Medicaid: TennCare CHOICES Lookback vs Penalty Period
Friday, April 6th, 2018 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
When a person applies for TennCare CHOICES, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, the State of Tennessee assesses that person’s financial eligibility for benefits. If the person has sold or gifted property or assets for less than fair market value within a certain time prior to the date of application, they may not be able to immediately qualify […]
Read More »What is Spend Down for Medicaid/TennCare?
Friday, March 30th, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Would-be TennCare CHOICES applicants often find themselves in a nursing home having a conversation with facility staff about TennCare and a process called “spend down.” At a stressful time with important health care decisions being made, this term can be confusing – and scary. Applicants and their families immediately imagine a process of divesting themselves […]
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