I live in WI and my parents live in FL in an assisted living facility. We are running out of money and I need to file Medicaid papers for assistance with medical expenses. Also possibly a nursing home is in the future. I'm confused about how to fill out the papers to protect the parent not involved. Do you have anyone you can recommend who can help me?

Jean, In your post you metioned both parents are in an ALF, but not yet in a nursing home. This can be a problem if you exhaust your finances in the ALF since there is little or no assistance with the ALF bill from Medicaid. Note, that there is a program called Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver that might be relevent, although this program may not have funds to help you.

There is also a posibility to consider which is another type of Medicaid that helps with medical bills only.

Lastly, it appears that the nursing home may be a reality in the future. It may be time to start planning for this situation. You can call us to schedule a free phone consult to discuss the particulars of your case. 727-539-0181.

I hope this response was helpful.

Sean W. Scott, Esq.

thank you for your response.
We are looking at assistance with the medical expenses. Mothers pharmacy bill is about $800 a month along with the medical requirement of assisted living. We would only qualify for the medical expenses part of Medicaid. I am interested in knowing how to divide up there monthly income. Do we need to physically divide their checking acount and savings, or do we do it on paper only.
Jean

In a husband and wife situation the income is counted together in determing qualification for "Medically Needy" the type of Medicaid that will pay pharmacy bills. This is very different than the type of Medicaid used to pay nursing home bills. The eligibility requirements change, specifically the income of the household is looked at in relation to the medical expenses. So the "division of income" is not really the issue.