Thanks to our guest blogger, Ann Hiott, Elder Law attorney with Einterz Law Offices.
“What do I do if my loved one or I need long term care? What are my options in Indiana? Most importantly, how am I going to pay for
it?”
These are common issues elder law
attorneys address with clients if they are facing the possibility or reality of
long term care, at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing
home. You have options and it’s good to
be a Hoosier. Indiana has a variety of
options when it comes to how and where you receive long term care. Indiana has a plethora of beautiful, quality
facilities if those best meet your needs.
Indiana has top-notch health care businesses to provide home-based care
as well. The problem most families face
is not the quality of care they receive, but how to pay for the care they
need. Medicare is designed for
short-term care (doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and perhaps
medication coverage depending on your Medicare plan and supplements); however,
Medicare does not pay for long term care.
There are only two ways to pay for long
term care: out of pocket (using your
income, assets, and long term care insurance if you have such an investment) or
with a government program.
Enter Indiana’s Medicaid for the Aged and Disabled. Many Indiana residents do not realize that
Medicaid is a federal and state partnership and is designed to help care for
all. The Medicaid system is like a huge
umbrella with various programs designed for the indigent and those who are aged
(over 65 years old) and disabled and need help paying for the care they
need. Indiana has some of the best asset
preservation rules in the country and is set up to help those residents that
have paid into the system their entire working lives and now need long term care
for themselves. But, you must seek
financial assistance legally and according to the federal and state laws and
rules.
It is imperative to contact an elder law attorney to ensure
that you do it correctly and as efficiently as possible. Indiana is blessed
with a wonderful bar of elder law attorneys who share a common goal: ensuring
you get the care you need, when and how you need it, with as little financial
stress as permitted by law. Planning for
this type of life event involves more than just estate planning and putting
people in place to make your financial decisions or healthcare decisions if you
become incapacitated (using Durable General Power of Attorney and Appointment
of Health Care Representative legal documents); although such estate planning
is imperative as well. Helping Hoosiers
navigate the long term care waters is what elder law attorneys and staff
specialize in and find is a very rewarding area of the law. Your plan should be individualized because
what works for one family may not be what’s best for another family. Preparation is the key to success in life and
you can stay in control if you plan properly and have the right tools and
guidance on your side to meet your goals.
Ann Hiott, Einterz Law Offices, 317-774-3154 - adhiott@gmail.com