What Does Medicaid Pay For if You Need Long Term Care?
One question people always ask when it come to long term care expenses, what does Medicaid Pay For? Long-term care is expensive care – but also very necessary for some people. However, planning for Medicaid to cover all your long-term care needs may lead to some unpleasant surprises! Not everyone qualifies for Medicaid. Those who do qualify may find that some services are restricted or not even covered at all. Let’s look at what Medicaid will – and will not – pay for when it comes to long-term care.
General Services Covered by Medicaid
Some services may be restricted to certain patients or in limited quantities. However, the following services might be available to Medicaid recipients, including people who need long-term care:
- Outpatient hospital visits for lab work, x-ray services, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy.
- Chiropractic care in some situations.
- Eye exams and glasses, once every three calendar years.
- Psychiatrists that are Medicaid providers.
- Emergency visits for serious problems. Otherwise, ER visits are limited to three non-emergency visits per year.
For a full list of available services, see the Alabama Medicaid website.
Services Related to Long-Term Care
Most people think of nursing homes when they think of long-term care. However, it is actually a “variety of services designed to meet a person’s health or personal care needs during a short or long period of time.”
In general, Medicaid will pay for medically-necessary care. For people who with long-term needs, Medicaid may cover the following:
- Home health services,
- Hospice care,
- Private duty nursing,
- Targeted case management,
- Residence at long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
Special programs may be available for people who need some form of long-term care.
What Does Medicaid Pay For – Waiver Programs
Medicaid offers home and community-based waiver programs for certain Medicaid recipients. An applicant or recipient who meets the medical and financial eligibility requirements and need long-term care may be qualified.
Services That May Not Be Covered by Medicaid
Generally, Medicaid generally refuses to pay for the following procedures unless they are considered to be medically necessary:
Cosmetic surgery, breast lifts, tummy tucks, and liposuction.
In addition, Medicaid does not pay for medical services provided to people incarcerated in jail or prison.
Learn More About Paying for Long-Term Care
For a free consultation with an experienced Alabama estate planning attorney, contact us at 256-251-2137. Miller Estate and Elder Law is located at 818 Leighton Avenue in Anniston, but we serve clients in Gadsden, Hoover, Talladega, Vestavia Hills, and surrounding areas.
Additionally, you may want to read Don’t Go Broke Paying for Long-Term Care, a free e-book available for download at your convenience.