Elder Law Attorneys Can Help You With Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA

It's been a long time since President Kennedy said to our nation “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

Nowadays, the government is structured in such a way that without the assistance of the government and the benefits that it offers, millions of Americans can work their whole lives only to have their health care wipe out a lifetime of prudent savings in a couple of years. That reality stresses seniors and their caregivers every day. Caregiving for a loved one may stretch the budget as well as the caregiver's endurance, but it doesn’t have to.  There are scores of federal, state and even local government programs that can assist in lightening the financial burden.

Understanding Programs and Eligibility

Most everyone over 65 knows something about Medicare. Many of them have also heard of Medicaid. They might not be able to tell you what the difference between the two programs is.  

Medicaid is a need-based program that provides insurance for those with low income and assets, and for seniors it can pay for nursing home (and often assisted living and in-home) care. Medicare doesn't have an asset or income limit, so once you hit 65, you're eligible. is a federal and state medical program for people who meet certain asset and income levels.

Medicare does not pay the expenses of long-term care incurred for day care at adult centers, home care by relatives or employed caretakers, and nursing home care. Medicare has many parts, such as Part A for hospital care and Part B for more conventional medical insurance coverage. Medicare subsidizes part D prescription drug coverage through payments to private company insurers, who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low-income or receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10 of the monthly premiums for Part D plans. Medicaid can cover the rest of the Medicare premiums as well.

VA Programs for Seniors

Many seniors are veterans and do not know that the VA has programs in place to help them if their income is used for medical expenses as well. They often know that a veteran with a service-connected disability can receive care from VA medical facilities and some sort of monthly benefit. Still, even for someone without such a disability, the “Aid and Attendance” program can be a great resource. The program can provide upwards of $2,000 a month for a veteran and his spouse who need the money to make ends meet in the face of great medical expenses. The program is backed up, but the application process is actually very easy to complete.

How An Elder Law Attorney Can Help

So, if you know you need this assistance, how do you apply?  Well, there are online resources that can assist you, but you need to make sure that you are eligible and that you preserve the income and assets you already have. You also want to make sure that you do not do anything that will jeopardize your eligibility for these programs. That is where I come in.  

I can help you apply for your government benefits and ensure you are receiving the right benefits without any complications.  Using these benefits can gain increased income and services that your loved one needs, while making a caregiver’s life a little easier and less stressful.