Texas Medicaid 101
Medicaid planning for nursing home care is a confusing and convoluted process. It can often feel like the government is going out of its way to keep you from getting assistance. The process is nearly impossible to navigate without expert help because Medicaid laws are a combination of federal laws and state regulations (and they even vary from state to state).
While the core goal of the federal Medicaid program is the same for each state, the specific eligibility requirements and application processes vary from state to state. It’s one of the reasons you should not rely on websites outside of Texas. Sometimes the treatment of the federal rule is different in other states. What works in California or Florida or Colorado, won’t necessarily work in Texas.
Everyone Needs a Personalized Solution
Another important source of confusion comes from friends, family member or in-laws who suggest using the same solutions they did when successfully getting Medicaid benefits. The problem is each person’s solution depends on the facts of their particular situation. Just like taking another person’s medication could be dangerous, so can taking the same steps someone else took to gain Medicaid benefits. The specific rules that applied to them may or may not work for you.
Reward for successfully navigating the treacherous waters of Medicaid eligibility is high. The average nursing home in a metropolitan city in Texas will run you just under $60,000 per year. Any assistance you can get could save you and your family tens of thousands of dollars. Getting the most out of Medicaid can literally make the difference between a bankruptcy or a financial legacy.
