I know that in AZ, any cash given can count as "unearned income". One way to get around that is instead of giving your mom cash for bills, you pay the bills directly. Then the cash is never in her "hands" so to speak and thus isn't counted against her.

As for advice on the various insurance and Medicare plans, often your local Area Agency on Aging has resources available. Someone who understands the various plans and can help you figure out what plan is best. I believe it is no change. What state are you in?

I know that in AZ, any cash given can count as "unearned income". One way to get around that is instead of giving your mom cash for bills, you pay the bills directly. Then the cash is never in her "hands" so to speak and thus isn't counted against her.

As for advice on the various insurance and Medicare plans, often your local Area Agency on Aging has resources available. Someone who understands the various plans and can help you figure out what plan is best. I believe it is no change. What state are you in?

Hi Ranae, thanks for the reply, I'm in florida, she's in georgia.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I probably need to call to be sure. But yes I've thought I should probably pay those bills directly which I give her money for, power, electric,etc as that would be the uncountable in-kind. Last time she applied I believe I filled out a form explaining that. But another worry of mine is what happens if she ever doesn't qualify. I'm not sure what her insurance situation would be...which that's what I worry about and it's affect on my family.

Right now she's on an advantage plan which is not renewing, so technically she can join another MA or a supplemental policy without pre-existing condition waivers. LIS currently pays for part b (i think) and seems to cover most of the prescription co-pays.

Of course a supplemental plan + drug coverage would add to my already crushing bills, wheras the MA plan I haven't had to pay a premium for her, just a few dr visit co-pays. But then again I'm not really sure if I should have her on an MA plan as she gets older, I'm not really 100% of the pros and cons of coverage of stuff from either plan. I'm kind of pouring through the documentation on each now. It would really stink to have kids getting into school years while dealing with some all of a sudden monstrous hospital bill.

I'm also not sure if she's on LIS if she can even get a supplemental health and drug plan. So it makes the dec 31'st deadline complicated for me with the current plan not renewing.

Hi Ranae, thanks for the reply, I'm in florida, she's in georgia.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I probably need to call to be sure. But yes I've thought I should probably pay those bills directly which I give her money for, power, electric,etc as that would be the uncountable in-kind. Last time she applied I believe I filled out a form explaining that. But another worry of mine is what happens if she ever doesn't qualify. I'm not sure what her insurance situation would be...which that's what I worry about and it's affect on my family.

Right now she's on an advantage plan which is not renewing, so technically she can join another MA or a supplemental policy without pre-existing condition waivers. LIS currently pays for part b (i think) and seems to cover most of the prescription co-pays.

Of course a supplemental plan + drug coverage would add to my already crushing bills, wheras the MA plan I haven't had to pay a premium for her, just a few dr visit co-pays. But then again I'm not really sure if I should have her on an MA plan as she gets older, I'm not really 100% of the pros and cons of coverage of stuff from either plan. I'm kind of pouring through the documentation on each now. It would really stink to have kids getting into school years while dealing with some all of a sudden monstrous hospital bill.

I'm also not sure if she's on LIS if she can even get a supplemental health and drug plan. So it makes the dec 31'st deadline complicated for me with the current plan not renewing.

I must also be dense. I've been trying to figure out how they calculate this LIS eligibility and no where is it mentioned if social security payments are included/counted as income.

I must also be dense. I've been trying to figure out how they calculate this LIS eligibility and no where is it mentioned if social security payments are included/counted as income.

Here is a link for the AAA in Georgia: http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/

This page explains some of what they can help with, including helping with insurance questions:

http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/menuitem.9e91405d0e424e248e738510da1010a0/?vgnextoid=5dc466ef2affff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

I can't really answer the question about having her on a MA plan vs traditional Medicare and a supplement. Personally I've never liked MA plans, but I know for many they wouldn't be able to afford healthcare without them.

If your mom qualifies for a LIS plan, would she also qualify for Medicaid in Georgia? That could become her supplement/secondary insurance and thus you wouldn't have to worry about a MA or supplement.

Here is AZ there are 2 forms of Medicaid. One of them is the long term care part of Medicaid. The financial qualifications are much different (monthly income for regular Medicaid has to be under $800 a month vs under $1800 per month for the long term care part) and they often also cover in home services. If you are able to talk to someone in the AAA office, I would see if they know anything about the different Medicaid programs in Georgia and what the qualifications are.

Here is a link for the AAA in Georgia: http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/

This page explains some of what they can help with, including helping with insurance questions:

http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/menuitem.9e91405d0e424e248e738510da1010a0/?vgnextoid=5dc466ef2affff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

I can't really answer the question about having her on a MA plan vs traditional Medicare and a supplement. Personally I've never liked MA plans, but I know for many they wouldn't be able to afford healthcare without them.

If your mom qualifies for a LIS plan, would she also qualify for Medicaid in Georgia? That could become her supplement/secondary insurance and thus you wouldn't have to worry about a MA or supplement.

Here is AZ there are 2 forms of Medicaid. One of them is the long term care part of Medicaid. The financial qualifications are much different (monthly income for regular Medicaid has to be under $800 a month vs under $1800 per month for the long term care part) and they often also cover in home services. If you are able to talk to someone in the AAA office, I would see if they know anything about the different Medicaid programs in Georgia and what the qualifications are.

LOL Not dense. I've worked in long term care/healthcare for 11 years and its confusing to me too! Healthcare is always changing, and so often there is no clear cut answer, its often very vague and open to many different interpretations.

For LIS, I believe that yes, social security is taken into account when considering the income. As well as Medicaid and any other public assistance.

LOL Not dense. I've worked in long term care/healthcare for 11 years and its confusing to me too! Healthcare is always changing, and so often there is no clear cut answer, its often very vague and open to many different interpretations.

For LIS, I believe that yes, social security is taken into account when considering the income. As well as Medicaid and any other public assistance.

Hi , thanks for the SHIP link that sounds exactly like who I need to call once I have a good set of questions. Spent some time reading last night and am a little more comfortable with the choices. I found social security was counted as I expected on some other form.

I started reading on the medicaid stuff too last night as well, i agree i should become more familiar with that.

The MA plan worked well her first year for us not having a premium but her health issues are not what I'd call major at the moment so copayment wise it worked out to our advantage over medicare + suppliment premiums. But eventually if there was health deterioration you could be in a position where the copays, coinsurance,etc is costing more than the supplemental would, but then there's the max out of pocket stuff. so confusing...

Right now it's the prescriptions that add up so the lis is really helping there with the MA.

But the whole when and if you can switch from an MA to a supplemental and what effects pre-existing conditions have on that acceptance is a bit blurry to me despite reading many things...which is why i wonder now that the current MA plan is not renewing if i should consider that.

I think after reading more last night and your helpful info i need to put this on paper so i can reread when i'm thinking clearly lol but sounds like the SHIP link will be able to answer a lot of questions too.

Hi , thanks for the SHIP link that sounds exactly like who I need to call once I have a good set of questions. Spent some time reading last night and am a little more comfortable with the choices. I found social security was counted as I expected on some other form.

I started reading on the medicaid stuff too last night as well, i agree i should become more familiar with that.

The MA plan worked well her first year for us not having a premium but her health issues are not what I'd call major at the moment so copayment wise it worked out to our advantage over medicare + suppliment premiums. But eventually if there was health deterioration you could be in a position where the copays, coinsurance,etc is costing more than the supplemental would, but then there's the max out of pocket stuff. so confusing...

Right now it's the prescriptions that add up so the lis is really helping there with the MA.

But the whole when and if you can switch from an MA to a supplemental and what effects pre-existing conditions have on that acceptance is a bit blurry to me despite reading many things...which is why i wonder now that the current MA plan is not renewing if i should consider that.

I think after reading more last night and your helpful info i need to put this on paper so i can reread when i'm thinking clearly lol but sounds like the SHIP link will be able to answer a lot of questions too.

Before Mother passed away, we were in the same quandry. We could not physically assist her (we lived 1,500 miles away). I called the organization which gave her Medicaid (Dept. of Social Services). The consider income as a regular payment through an employer or SS (SSI). Your monthly contributions may stop at anytime and are considered gifts.

Before Mother passed away, we were in the same quandry. We could not physically assist her (we lived 1,500 miles away). I called the organization which gave her Medicaid (Dept. of Social Services). The consider income as a regular payment through an employer or SS (SSI). Your monthly contributions may stop at anytime and are considered gifts.

Hi Swadeab, I live in Florida and my mom is in Florida too. I've been to see an Elder Law Attorney who specializes in Medicaid planning. She's been a HUGE help to me and has suggested I do things I never would have thought of but since she mentioned them do make sense. I would highly recommend you find an attorney. May seem like a lot of money, but I believe I'm going to save (Mom's going to save) a lot in the long run.

Hi Swadeab, I live in Florida and my mom is in Florida too. I've been to see an Elder Law Attorney who specializes in Medicaid planning. She's been a HUGE help to me and has suggested I do things I never would have thought of but since she mentioned them do make sense. I would highly recommend you find an attorney. May seem like a lot of money, but I believe I'm going to save (Mom's going to save) a lot in the long run.