When to apply for Medicaid
Medicaid application could be completed at any time of the year without a limited enrollment period. The best time to file an application for Medicaid varies by individual circumstances. You need to take your health condition and financial status into consideration before making a decision.
According to research conducted by Metlife, 52% of Americans who age 65 or older require different levels of nursing home care and long-term care is now becoming a reality for most of the seniors. As application preparation and processing could be time-consuming, it is recommended to apply for Medicaid as soon as possible before an actual need arises.
How to prepare for Medicaid application
Step 1 Determine which Medicaid program you would like to apply.
Though Medicaid is administrated and operated by the individual state under federal guidelines, each state still retains broad flexibility, which leads to an enormous variation in targeted groups and eligibility requirements. Before rushing for an application, you should first learn about Medicaid types in your states and identify which Medicaid program suits your needs. Generally, there are three types of Medicaid for seniors who are 65years of age or older
- Nursing Home Medicaid: It is an entitlement program providing custodial care for seniors residing in nursing homes.
- Medicaid Waiver (Home and Community Based Services Waiver): It is a state-specific program providing long-term care for seniors residing at homes or in communities. Long-term care could include but not limited to home care, adult daycare, adult foster care and assisted living.
- Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid: It is a resource-based program for individuals who are blind or disabled or individuals who are 65 years of age or older.
