Nursing Home Planning in Iowa

Because of increasing longevity, we are seeing more seniors needing skilled nursing care. While the lucky few are able to pay the ever-rising cost of that care, most will face financial devastation. 

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The chances of winding up in a nursing home rise to 75% if a person is 65 or older.  Buying long-term care insurance can be an option to protect assets against that risk. But this option is limited because many people wait too long to buy it and then it is either too expensive or they simply do not qualify for it.  

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Unlike health insurance, long-term care insurers underwrite their policies and can deny coverage if there is anything in the person’s health history that may make them a high risk of needing insurance.

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Unlike Medicare, Medicaid will pay for nursing home care but only after a person spends down virtually all of their own assets.  This is known as the Medicaid spend-down, which is based on a complex set of rules.

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With a married couple, assets of both spouses are factored into the spend-down formula – regardless of whether or not the couple has a prenuptial agreement.  While the home is considered a protected asset from the spend-down, once a person is on Medicaid, the state can come back after the deceased Medicaid recipient’s estate through the estate recovery program to recoup the cost spent by the state for long-term care provided at home or in the nursing home.

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For those who cannot afford long-term care insurance or do not qualify for it, there are advanced methods of nursing home planning in Iowa available to help you protect your assets. Medicaid 4 You specializes in helping clients navigate the available planning options and protect the vast majority of assets from the Medicaid spend-down and estate recovery. To get a free review of your situation, click here.