New Jersey Medicaid: Pre-Planning vs. Crisis Planning

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services about 70% of today’s adults over 65 years old will require some form of long-term care. Luckily, long-term care can be affordable through New Jersey’s Managed Long-Term Services and Supports program, or MLTSS for short. Applying for MLTSS requires planning to prevent your long-term care costs from depleting your hard-earned life savings.

There are two ways to go about planning for Medicaid long-term care: pre-planning and crisis planning. In this guide, our experienced New Jersey elder law attorneys will outline the differences between these two approaches and emphasize how working with an attorney can help ease the process.

Crisis Planning for New Jersey Medicaid Long-Term Care

Crisis planning addresses immediate long-term care needs when an individual is already in a situation requiring urgent intervention. This may occur after a sudden health decline or a life-changing event, such as an accident or chronic illness diagnosis. Crisis planning focuses on securing appropriate care as quickly as possible and arranging your finances so you can save as much as possible. It is still possible to save assets even when care is imminent. However, you must be sure to work within the confines of Medicaid eligibility and coverage in a shorter time frame.

Crisis planning involves making several important decisions in a short period of time. These decisions often include:

1. Identifying the appropriate care setting: In a crisis situation, it is crucial to determine the most suitable care setting for the individual in need. This may be in-home care, assisted living, or a skilled nursing facility.
2. Assessing and arranging for financial resources: This may involve determining eligibility for Medicaid or other financial assistance programs, transferring assets, utilizing a long term care insurance policy, and identifying any assets that can be used to finance care.
3. Organizing legal and healthcare documents: An important aspect of crisis planning is ensuring that legal and healthcare documents are updated and reflect your current wishes. Such documents may include a will, trust, medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, and more.
4. Coordinating care and support services: This may involve contacting healthcare providers and arranging for medical equipment or home modifications. Then, coordinating with family members or other caregivers to ensure a seamless transition to long-term care.

Crisis planning can be overwhelming, given the urgency and multitude of decisions that need to be made. Engaging the assistance of an elder law attorney can help to prepare for long-term care. That way you can be sure that appropriate arrangements are made to meet your needs and that you save as much of your hard earned money as possible.

Pre-Planning and Mitigating Crisis Planning

Pre-planning involves anticipating and arranging long-term care and support services before they become necessary. This process includes evaluating personal resources, understanding New Jersey Medicaid eligibility criteria, and exploring various care options. The primary objective of pre-planning is to ensure that individuals and their families have a plan in place. This can help to alleviate stress and financial burdens should long-term care be needed in the future.

Pre-planning can significantly reduce the likelihood of a crisis situation arising. Of course, life is unpredictable, and it’s impossible to foresee every possible situation. But here’s how pre-planning can help to avoid or mitigate crisis situations:

1. Financial preparedness: Pre-planning facilitates a comprehensive assessment of personal resources and financial planning for long-term care expenses. Pre-planning may also include asset protection strategies which can ensure eligibility for Medicaid benefits while preserving your assets. By working with an attorney you can employ legal strategies such as creating trusts, gifting assets, or converting countable assets into exempt assets.
2. Early identification of potential issues: By identifying potential care needs and risks early on, you can take preventive measures or arrange for appropriate support services. Early identification of potential issues may avoid a crisis situation altogether.
3. Informed decision-making: Having a thorough understanding of available options and preferences regarding care setting, services, and providers can help prevent last-minute, ill-informed decisions during a crisis. Thus, you can reduce the likelihood of inadequate care or unanticipated complications.
4. Timely access to care: By pre-planning, you can establish relationships with preferred care providers and familiarize themselves with the process of accessing care services. This can help to ensure timely access to care during a crisis, minimizing delays and potential complications.

While pre-planning can help avoid or mitigate crisis situations, unforeseen circumstances or sudden health changes can still necessitate crisis planning. Nonetheless, having a solid pre-planning foundation in place can improve the effectiveness of crisis planning and help to ensure a smoother transition to long-term care when needed.

The Role of a New Jersey Elder Law Attorney

Consulting a skilled New Jersey elder law attorney is crucial in both pre-planning and crisis planning scenarios. They can provide guidance on Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and care options, helping you develop a long-term care plan with confidence. Furthermore, an attorney can help employ legal strategies to protect your assets, such as setting up a Qualified Income Trust. Also, your lawyer will help you navigate complicated local legal regulations, such as Medicaid’s five-year lookback period.

Understanding the differences between pre-planning and crisis planning is essential for New Jersey MLTSS applicants. Engaging a knowledgeable elder law attorney can help you successfully navigate these challenges and secure the best possible care for you or your loved one. Don’t wait; contact us at The Chamberlain Law Firm today by calling us at (201) 273-9763. For more New Jersey MLTSS information, be sure to read our other Insight Articles.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice. In the event you would like to speak with a lawyer about the specifics of your case, contact The Chamberlain Law Firm at (201) 273-9763 to schedule a consultation.