Move long term care waiver relative to VA Medicaid?

[Anonymous]

Helping a relative relocate to Virginia from out of state. She has Medicaid, Medicare, and Tricare and meets institutional level of care requirements but has been living at home with personal care aide supports (her main caregiver is returning to Virginia to retire after working out of state for several years).

Has anyone gone through this process? I’ve been asked to do some research on how to arrange this because I work in healthcare, but this is complicated and I don’t know the relevant VA programs. I appreciate any tips you can share!

[Anonymous]

I would talk to an eldercare lawyer in VA or someone else who specializes in this. This is a complicated area and one where you do not want to be getting advice from people on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Please research very thoroughly before making the move to bring her to Virginia. Quite often there are years-long waitlists for Medicaid in Virginia depending on the type you need. Definitely echo the PP that this is NOT something you want to use chat forums to get answers for. It can be complicated and easy to make catastrophic financial decisions by not understanding the consequences thoroughly, depending on the choices or steps you make.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the caution. Mainly I am looking for more more info on the waiver program. The reason for the move is a planned retirement, it’s not my decision.

[Anonymous]

You would have to move then here and apply for the help. Long term care Medicaid is different than regular Medicaid. Call your county office and ask them. No need for an attorney. Long term Medicaid does not have a waitlist but it’s hard to find a nursing home that will take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You would have to move then here and apply for the help. Long term care Medicaid is different than regular Medicaid. Call your county office and ask them. No need for an attorney. Long term Medicaid does not have a waitlist but it’s hard to find a nursing home that will take it.

In a lot of states getting home care paid by Medicaid requires waiting on a waiting list. Here is some info on what is covered in each state:

https://www.kff.org/state-category/medicaid-chip/medicaid-benefits/community-based-care/

[Anonymous]

Yes many states have long waiting lists for long-term Medicaid. In the person’s resources and supports are limited, it may be necessary to stay where one has the funding stream for care. The most direct path woukd be to contact the local Department of Sociial Services where the person wants to live to see what the waiting list is. I am not sure how difficult it is to transfer with Medicaid funding. Medicare and Tricare cover the entire country. The local DSS is the point of entry to apply for long-term care.

Beyond that, someone needs to help the person understand what kinds of places will accept one with only Medicaid. It is sad, but true that most nursing homes want accept one as private pay first for a couple of years and then give them priority for an open bed, WE know quite well the Medicaid Waiver long waitin list in VA fo a daughter with a developmental disability. It is not a friendly state for funding of any adult services. I would give nothing as the person may end up with nothing. Their situation currently is not one of need really, but of choice and this is a rarity in seeking services today.

[Anonymous]

Echoing everyone above that Medicaid waivers do not transfer. Medicaid is state level, not federal like Medicare and Tricare, and you have to apply for each state from scratch once you become a resident of that state. Virginia has long waiting lists for just about every type of Medicare, and lots of long-term facilities don't have any Medicaid slot openings. Hopefully she will strongly consider keeping the financial care stream she is fortunate to have where she is and find another aide she likes working with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Echoing everyone above that Medicaid waivers do not transfer. Medicaid is state level, not federal like Medicare and Tricare, and you have to apply for each state from scratch once you become a resident of that state. Virginia has long waiting lists for just about every type of Medicare, and lots of long-term facilities don't have any Medicaid slot openings. Hopefully she will strongly consider keeping the financial care stream she is fortunate to have where she is and find another aide she likes working with.

Sorry, long waiting lists for just about every type of Medicaid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Echoing everyone above that Medicaid waivers do not transfer. Medicaid is state level, not federal like Medicare and Tricare, and you have to apply for each state from scratch once you become a resident of that state. Virginia has long waiting lists for just about every type of Medicare, and lots of long-term facilities don't have any Medicaid slot openings. Hopefully she will strongly consider keeping the financial care stream she is fortunate to have where she is and find another aide she likes working with.

Sorry, long waiting lists for just about every type of Medicaid

There are no waitlists for Medicaid. If you qualify you get it. Getting a bed is a different issue.