Medicaid Planning

Understanding Texas Medicaid Planning

Medicaid coverage is complicated — there’s no way around that simple fact.

Medicaid is a Federal and State program. The rules for qualifying for the Medicaid program vary considerably from state to state. If you reside in Texas and need Medicaid, then Texas’s Medicaid state rules apply.

Unlike other government programs, like Social Security, Medicare, or Social Security Disability, Medicaid in Texas is not an “entitlement program.” Those Federal programs have been paid into by citizens and are required by law to pay any individual who meets the program’s eligibility requirements. For example, when you or a loved one reach retirement age, you are “entitled” to receive your monthly Social Security payment regardless of your wealth or income because you have been paying into the program over time.

On the other hand, the Texas Medicaid system is a State-operated program for individuals who can’t afford long-term care. Compared to Social Security, you or a loved one do not pay into the Medicaid system and therefore are not “entitled” to receive payments. Instead, you must meet distinct asset and income requirements to be eligible for Medicaid in Texas. These requirements can be met by strategic legal planning with a Houston attorney — like Ed Lee.

Understanding Texas Medicaid Eligibility

Many people misunderstand Texas Medicaid rules and regulations because of the complexities of Medicaid eligibility. Misinformation has also circulated on this subject. The families of senior citizens in Texas should only seek legal advice about Medicaid coverage from qualified and experienced Texas elder law attorneys.

Medicaid eligibility can be challenging to navigate alone. Still, there are many ways to become eligible for Medicaid while protecting your hard-earned assets. Medicaid rules are dependent on many factors. Some factors include whether you are single or married and whether you’re applying for nursing home care or in-home care. You or a loved one can benefit greatly from an experienced Medicaid planning attorney, like Ed Lee. He understands Texas’s specific Medicaid application, the approval process and can tailor your Medicaid plan to your particular health care needs.

What are Texas’s Medicaid Qualification Requirements?

To receive Medicaid benefits in Texas, you or a loved one must meet eligibility requirements. To qualify for benefits, you must:

• Be over the age of 64; or
• Be blind or disabled; or
• Have a child, parent, or spouse in your household who is blind or disabled.

Without the assistance of Medicaid coverage in Texas, you or a loved one will be held financially responsible for the monthly care costs. Our Houston law firm can help you or a loved one protect your savings from being spent down on the high costs of elderly care in Texas.

Texas Annual Median Cost of Care (2020)

Resource: Genworth

The Difference Between Texas Medicaid Planning and Crisis Planning

Crisis Medicaid planning in Texas is defined as planning for Medicaid eligibility for a person experiencing immediate or near immediate health care needs. If you or a loved one find themselves in immediate need of Medicaid coverage in Texas, legal guidance from a Medicaid planning lawyer like Ed Lee can help. Our firm can identify critical issues within your estate that will disqualify you from coverage and swiftly develop a Medicaid plan for your health care needs.

Suppose you or a loved one’s long-term care is not immediate, and you’re planning for the possibility of future care in your home or at a nursing home in Texas. In that case, this situation is non-crisis planning or advanced Medicaid planning. Overall, the most efficient way to save your assets from being drained by long-term care costs is to plan for future care. No matter which stage of planning you or a loved one are in for long-term care coverage in Texas, Ed Lee can help.

Your Houston Medicaid Planning Lawyer

It is a common misconception that Texans believe they own too much or their income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, but eligibility is possible with Medicaid planning. Consulting with an experienced Medicaid planning attorney can make navigating the process of Texas Medicaid eligibility much easier.

Ed Lee has helped many Houston clients understand Texas Medicaid and created unique plans to save our clients’ life savings from being spent on long-term care. Our Houston law firm can help you or a loved one craft a legal plan that prevents or minimizes the need to spend down on your assets before qualifying for Medicaid in Texas.