The Medicaid Spend Down is the Best Kept Secret in Houston

The money that the government was providing for retirement was for being self-sufficient and making ends meet. But as the Houston elderly care facilities are experiencing, many elderly people are not able to live by themselves anymore…. who will pick up the tab for that? Is it the Government?

In most assisted living cases the answer would be no. Finding assisted living facilities in Houston can be very difficult especially if there are financial difficulties. Many seniors are living with a small pension and social security. That money is enough to get them by until assistance with daily living tasks is needed. Contrary to popular belief, getting approval for Medicaid assistance does not happen quickly. This is especially true if there are assets. A house, stocks, bonds, and other assets all add up.

With a few exceptions depending if the person in need of care still has a spouse living at home, the government will let you keep just at $2,000 in countable assets. What happens when you need assisted living in Houston and you have assets? There is a term called Medicaid spend-down. If your income is too high to qualify then that income must be “spent down” to qualify to the level that Medicaid accepts.

For example, a person in need of assisted living in Houston may have a small pension and social security but they do not have the amount for the monthly fee needed to pay the facility; there is however $20,000 in savings. There are a few elder care facilities in the Houston area that will accept clients that have an amount to “spend down” and then keep them as clients once Medicaid is approved. Assisted living facilities in Houston that will accept clients and allow them to stay in an elder care residential home are the exception rather than the rule.

Are you looking for the best senior care in Houston but not sure where to start? CarePatrol of Houston can help guide you and your family through this challenging time. Every facility is personally visited by a CarePatrol Senior Consultant to provide choices in senior care facilities that will be the best fit. Each and every senior living facility that is recommended is checked for care and safety violations. A CarePatrol consultant will tour with you at the facilities so you can make sure you or your loved one will be cared for in the manner you desire. Best of all, the personalized service provided by each CarePatrol of Houston’s Senior Care Consultant is free to the family.