Work Requirements for Medicaid?

[Chris]

I wouldn't. That being said, I wouldn't make it a requisite for elderly to work to receive Medicaid.

So when Bill Gates turns 65 he should get Medicaid?

[Common Sense]

So when Bill Gates turns 65 he should get Medicaid?

Probably not, but what does that have to do with what I asked?

[del]

Probably not, but what does that have to do with what I asked?

nothing

it's what he has

[Chris]

Probably not, but what does that have to do with what I asked?

You assumed anyone that old should receive Medicaid.

[Chris]

nothing

it's what he has

Something to contribute, del? Oh, wait, sorry to ask.

[Common Sense]

You assumed anyone that old should receive Medicaid.

No, I said people shouldn't have to work after retirement to receive it. Caps for income are another topic.

I'd like to see caps. Certainly there are some who use things like medicare and Medicaid who shouldn't.

[Chris]

No, I said people shouldn't have to work after retirement to receive it. Caps for income are another topic.

I'd like to see caps. Certainly there are some who use things like medicare and Medicaid who shouldn't.

Ah, so you do qualify now your statement. That's all the concession I wanted. For that is exactly the point here. Sure, there are those who are unable to help themselves, so we, society, helps them, no problem. And there are those who are able and should help themselves. Aboilty is not defined by age or disability.

[Green Arrow]

This is one of those ideas that sounds good on paper, but may not be so great in practice.

[FindersKeepers]

No, I said people shouldn't have to work after retirement to receive it. Caps for income are another topic.

I'd like to see caps. Certainly there are some who use things like medicare and Medicaid who shouldn't.

There's a difference between Medicare and Medicaid that you might not understand, not being from this country. Heck, many who've lived here their whole lives don't really understand it.

Medicare is a national health policy that the elderly buy AFTER they turn 65. I think it's 65, perhaps a bit younger if they have a disability.

But, Medicare is not a freebie like Medicaid. When a person starts drawing SS, after retirement, a portion of their SS payment is automatically taken out to pay for their Medicare. Medicare does not cover all medical expenses, however, so the person must also have private policy. My mother has Medicare and Blue Cross. She pays every month for the additional Blue Cross coverage, and I think nearly all her care is covered. Perhaps not medications, because I know she pays for those herself.

My mother is not eligible for Medicaid because she's not indigent. Only the very poor get Medicaid, and, for them, it's a freebie.

However, if my mother got to the point where she could not stay home by herself, she would have to enter a nursing home. Nursing home care is very expensive - over $200 per day, sometimes double that. The patient would have to pay for that herself.

When a patient enters a nursing facility, they have to pay for their as long as they have assets. If my mom went in -- she'd have to pay the bill until it ate up all her savings. At that point, Medicaid would start paying (not Medicare). Medicaid would also seize any assets my mother still had and liquidate those to pay for her care. It costs between $75,000 and $150,000 per year per patient for nursing home care. And, that's not counting medical care.

Once the person is destitute -- Medicaid will pay for their care.

This leads to the adult children of elderly parents trying to hide their parent's assets so they can inherit come of them. Doesn't work too well, though. Medicaid will audit the patient's financial records to see if they sold a house for less than market value in the past five years -- things like that. And then, they'll sue the family members for the money.

That's why more folks are caring for their elderly parents in their homes if they can.

[FindersKeepers]

This is one of those ideas that sounds good on paper, but may not be so great on paper.

I like that!