It is no secret that long-term nursing home care is expensive. Many needing long-term care turn to Medicaid and MassHealth for help covering the enormous costs associated with nursing home care.
It is important to understand the MassHealth application process and prepare in the event that long-term care becomes necessary.
Gather needed information
When applying for MassHealth, a person must provide a great deal of financial information to confirm their eligibility. It is beneficial if this information is readily available to facilitate the application when it becomes necessary.
Ideally, a person will gather and review this information well advance of any application, in part to the evaluate whether estate planning can help protect assets while allowing for MassHealth coverage.
Completing the application
The application for MassHealth nursing home coverage can be complicated and mistakes may lead to delays or even denial of coverage. As such, experts advise consulting with an experienced attorney to assist in completing the application.
At times, nursing home staff will offer to complete an application on a prospective resident’s behalf. While they may be well-intentioned, nursing home staff may not have the expertise to avoid costly errors in the application process.
The timely and accurate completion of the application is too important to leave to chance.
Requests for information
Do not be surprised if MassHealth closely examines your finances and requests additional information about your assets. MassHealth often requires documentation to verify most or all aspects of an application.
Visit potential nursing homes early
In addition to obtaining MassHealth coverage, it is also necessary to find the right nursing home for your needs. It is common for nursing homes to have wait lists, so it is important to find a nursing home as early in the process as possible.
Assistance in the application process
Applying for long-term care coverage through MassHealth can be a cumbersome process. Working with an experienced attorney can maximize the prospect of timely approval of coverage.