Madison Elder Law Attorneys

Reliable Support for Elder Legal Matters

Elder law is an element of estate planning that focuses on the needs of individuals and families as they age. At Estate Law Partners, LLC, our Madison elder law attorneys can assist you and your family with all issues of aging.

We regularly help clients with a range of legal matters affecting older persons and their families, including:

• Medicaid
• Senior housing and home care
• Long-term or nursing home care

Call (608) 292-5185 today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced lawyers. 

The Dilemma of Long-Term Care

As the years pass by, you will likely have a growing acquaintance with elder law-related issues. A matter of top concern for many Americans is that of long-term nursing home care. Unfortunately, this type of elder care is not typically covered by traditional health insurance plans. In 2019, the national median cost for a private room in a nursing home facility in Madison was $9,338 per month.

Many people have to pay these exorbitant fees until their finances are exhausted. At that point, they may be permitted to stay if they qualify for Medicaid. Our elder law attorneys can help you put a plan in place to help ensure your long-term care needs are met and your assets remain protected for your loved ones.

Medicare & Medicaid

It is not uncommon for people to be confused over the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. Although the names of these two programs sound similar, they are actually quite different from one another.

What is the main difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program that provides heath coverage if you have a very law income & Medicare provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65 and have a disability.

The descriptions of each program are as follows:

• Medicare – A federal health insurance program which is commonly enrolled in by individuals when they turn 65, regardless of their health status, medical history, or income. This entitlement program provides health and financial security to older people by helping to pay for medical care services. Some of these include preventative services, physician visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care.
• Medicaid – A joint federal-state program that can only be enrolled in by those who meet certain qualifications. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is not an entitlement program. You will need to file an application to the state, and they will determine your eligibility based on a number of factors. Our Madison elder lawyers can assist you in understanding whether Medicaid is an insurance option that you qualify for.

Making the Move to Senior Housing

There are several events that can trigger the need to move yourself or a loved one into senior housing. Some of the most common reasons include safety concerns, declining health, and the death of a spouse. When the individual's home is no longer suitable for their physical needs, the move is rarely easy, especially if they have lived there for any length of time. Finding a new home that suits their needs and preferences can be extremely challenging. You'll also have to manage sorting through a lifetime of possessions, deciding what to keep, what to give to family members, and what to sell.

We suggest the following tips to make the transition as smooth as possible:

• Begin the process sooner rather than later. If you wait for a crisis before initiating a plan for moving into a senior care facility, it can make the transition much harder.
• Evaluate the current living situation. By calculating the cost of living – such as housing payments, utility bills, taxes, food, transportation, and property maintenance – you can more accurately determine if it is cheaper to stay in the current living situation or to move to a senior community.
• Take time to fully explore all the options for new housing. There are more options for senior living today than ever before.
• Give adequate time for the move. Many seniors take more than a year to make the transition to their new living situation.

Related Reading:

• Elder Law: Planning for Medicaid & Nursing Home Expenses

Our Madison elder law attorneys are here to help guide you through this time. Contact Estate Law Partners, LLC at (608) 292-5185 to schedule your consultation.