Planning for Long Term Care/Medicaid (ALTCS)
Taylor & Lihn exists to serve our Arizona community by educating, empowering,
and advocating
for individuals and their loved ones who want to create a meaningful life and legacy.
Phoenix Long-Term Care Planning Lawyers
Experienced Medicaid & ALTCS Planning Help
The high cost of long-term care makes proactive planning a critically important issue for most seniors and their families. For some families, it wipes out their lifelong savings accounts in a few short years. Most seniors will require some form of long-term care, so it is critically important that you begin planning for these needs ahead of time.
Our Phoenix long-term care planning attorneys at Taylor & Lihn, PLLC care deeply about each client and can help navigate the complex rules and regulations that come with this type of planning. We serve clients throughout Maricopa County who are looking to plan and qualify for Medicaid or Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) benefits. Whether you are interested in proactive planning before the need for long-term care has actually arisen, or if you are dealing with an immediate need for the long-term care of a loved one, we can help you understand the options and programs available to you.
For experienced Medicaid and ALTCS planning help in the Phoenix area, call (602) 900-9860!
What Is Long-Term Care Planning?
Did you know that about 70% of Americans will require some form of long-term care after they enter their golden years? Long-term care planning is the process of preparing for this care. It may involve personal, medical, and financial decisions that will allow for long-term care based on your preferences and means. Intelligent long-term care planning can allow for the preservation of assets without jeopardizing one’s eligibility for benefits such as Medicaid or ALTCS.
With a well thought out long-term care plan, you can:
- Protect your hard-earned assets
- Create a personalized plan for your care
- Protect your family from the burden of your care
- Establish advance directives to ensure your wishes are carried out
Whether we take a proactive approach with asset protection or must act in a crisis to assist in obtaining immediate care for an elderly loved one, you can count on Taylor & Lihn, PLLC to address your needs. Our experience with long-term care planning is put to work for each of our clients as we create strategies tailored to their current needs and future goals.
Benefits of the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
ALTCS is a joint federal-Arizona state program that provides assistance to those who need help paying for long-term care, including those who are 65 or older, disabled, or blind.
ALTCS benefits include:
- Full coverage of acute care services
- Nursing home care
- Home and community-based services
- Services for developmentally disabled adults and children
Who Qualifies for ALTCS? Am I Eligible for Benefits?
Determining whether you qualify for ALTCS can be challenging, but we understand this system and can provide guidance based on our experience and knowledge.
To be eligible for ALTCS benefits or Medicaid, you must:
- Be 65 or older;
- Have a medical need;
- Meet income limits; and
- Meet resources/asset limits.
"Medical need," in this case, means that the level of care needed is the type that one would find in a nursing home or intermediate care facility. Regarding the income limits, residents must have a monthly income that is lower than 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For married couples, the limit is different.
There are also complex financial and medical eligibility requirements and a myriad of regulations involving look-back periods, income caps, transfer penalties, and waiting periods to plan around. Our Phoenix ALTCS lawyers can help you determine your eligibility for long-term care benefits and can help you get the care you need.
Is ALTCS the Same as Medicaid?
Medicaid and ALTCS are two different things, but the terms are often used interchangeably. Medicaid is a federal healthcare program provided for those who cannot afford their own care. Arizona was the last state to implement Medicaid, and it was adopted under a program called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). AHCCCS was created to administer the Medicaid program in a cost-effective manner.
Initially, AHCCCS did not provide support for people in nursing homes, but in 1989 the federal government required AHCCCS to extend support for persons who were not previously covered, including those in need of long-term care. This involved the establishment of the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). Today, many people use the terms ALTCS, Medicaid, and AHCCCS interchangeably when talking about government benefits for the disabled, poor, and elderly.
Am I a Candidate for Long-Term Care Planning?
While long-term care planning is a more pressing matter for a person who is nearing retirement or who has already reached their golden years, you can start planning for your or a loved one’s long-term care at any time. In fact, proactive planning is ideal, as this will give you far more freedom in protecting your assets and creating a plan based on your personal goals.
Chances are, if you’re thinking about long-term care planning, it’s time to start. We’re here to help.
How Our Phoenix Long-Term Care Planning Attorneys Can Help
At Taylor & Lihn, PLLC, our Medicaid and ALTCS lawyers can help you and your family navigate the complex rules and regulations in Arizona for planning for long-term care proactively, addressing guardianship concerns, or dealing with a sudden need (crisis planning). We know which programs may apply to you, how to address eligibility, and how to protect your interests by ensuring all necessary documentation is provided when you apply. We can even help with ALTCS appeals.
Visit the following links for more information:
- Planning for Your Care
- Caring for Your Aging Parent
- About Long-Term Care Insurance
- What is Elder Law? Reviewing Legislation Geared for the Elderly
- Essential Documents for Senior Citizens
Contact us today to discuss your long-term care planning needs and goals.
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