IMPORTANT INFORMATION You Need To Know
Medicare can not be counted on to cover all health care expenses. MassHealth will usually pay for what Medicare doesn't cover.
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In 2021 Medicare will NOT pay the following:
* $185.50 per day for day 21-100 of a covered skilled nursing facility stay
* Custodial care in a skilled nursing facility
* $1,484.00 for inpatient hospital stay, per benefit period
* $371.00 per day for day 61-90 of a covered inpatient hospital stay, per benefit period
* $742.00 per day for days 91 and beyond of a covered inpatient hospital stay
* The first $203.00 incurred under Medicare part B charges
The average time for approval of a MassHealth application is 2 – 4 months from date of submission. If all time deadlines are met, and eligibility is demonstrated, MassHealth will grant retroactive coverage.
In a skilled nursing facility, under the MassHealth program, the applicant is required to pay a monthly Patient Paid Amount or Applied Income Amount to the nursing facility beginning on the first day that coverage is needed. Failure to do so may result in a gap of retroactive eligibility, and you will be responsible for making other payment arrangements for any non-covered days.
If eligibility is denied and an appeal is needed, it can take from 4 – 6 months from the date of the denial to receive adjudication from the hearing officer.
For Long Term Care applications, the following assets need to be :
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All Bank accounts in the applicant or spouse’s name that have been open in the past 5 years (even if they have since been closed), including but not limited to, Checking, Savings, Money Market, Christmas Club, Credit Union, CD, and IRA
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All investments, in the applicant or spouse’s name that have been open in the past 5 years (even if they have since been closed), including but not limited to, Investment Accounts, Annuities, Mutual Funds, Stock Certificates, Treasury Bills, and Savings Bonds
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All life insurance policies owned by the applicant or spouse
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All accounts or investments held in a Revocable Trust.
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All real estate, including but not limited to, primary residence, rental property, and vacation property.
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All motor vehicles and recreational vehicles, including but not limited to, boat, motor home, camper, and motorcycle
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Prepaid funeral arrangements
Additional verification required: monthly income, tax returns, health insurance coverage, gifting, spousal living expenses, trust documents, care-giver agreements and pending third party liability lawsuits.
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