Estate Planning Isn’t Just For The Elderly

Happy, smiling couple in their sixties.

Will Medicare cover nursing home care?

On Behalf of | Apr 26, 2017 | Long-Term Care

If you are caring for an elderly loved one and planning for his or her long-term care, it can be difficult to navigate the potentially complex area of elder care planning. This is a complicated issue, and without experienced help, you can become quickly overwhelmed when trying to understand what you are eligible for and how you can secure needed and rightful benefits.

Helping your loved one navigate a major life transition, such as moving into a New York nursing home, can be difficult. Fortunately, you do not have to face this process alone. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can effectively plan for the costly expenses often associated with this type of transition.

What does my Medicare cover?

You may be unsure of what Medicare will cover or if it will cover any part of your loved one’s care. Under certain Medicare plans, the following things may be covered:

  • Semi-private room
  • Meals
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy services
  • Medical services
  • Ambulance transportation
  • Medical supplies
  • Dietary counseling

The above come as part of skilled nursing care benefits available under Medicare Part A. These benefits may only be available for a limited amount of time.

Who is eligible for these benefits?

People with the following may be eligible for these Medicare benefits, if they meet said conditions:

  • Part A coverage and days left in benefits period
  • Qualifying hospital stay
  • Doctor recommendation for skilled nursing care
  • Skilled nursing care needed for a full recovery from hospital-related medical issues

It is not always easy to know your benefits or understand the information about a loved one’s Medicare coverage. You may find great benefit in learning about your rights or how to help your loved one get the support he or she needs regarding skilled nursing care.

You may need comprehensive nursing home advice

Planning for nursing home care can be complex, especially when you are working on behalf of a loved one. When you turn to the assistance of an elder care planning attorney, you can be better prepared to care for your loved one because you will know exactly what to expect. You can also get advice on the type of nursing home your loved one needs and how to go about securing it.

During this complicated transition, you may benefit from sound and experienced guidance to help you make informed decisions and make the process as smooth as possible for your elderly or ill family member.