Medicaid Law: Colorado’s Partnership for Long Term Care Insurance
It is estimated that 60% of senior citizens will need long-term care as they grow older and one in five over the age of 65 will spend more than two years in a nursing home. With the average cost of a Colorado nursing home now topping $70,000 annually, seniors must often turn to Medicaid to assist with nursing home expenses. To address the growing need for assistance with long term care expenses, in 2008, Colorado began a Partnership for Long Term Care program.
Colorado’s Long-term Care (LTC) Partnership is a public-private venture established to encourage and reward residents for planning ahead for their future long-term care costs rather than relying solely on Medicaid. The Partnerships are an alliance between private insurers and the state government to help Colorado residents plan and pay for future long-term needs without depleting all of their assets to handle the catastrophic costs.
Under Colorado’s Medicaid Law, a consumer must ‘spend down’ their assets in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage should they have more than the Medicaid limit. In addition, under the Estate Recovery Program, Medicaid is permitted to recoup their costs through the estate of a patient in many circumstances.
An LTC Partnership policy allows consumers to protect personal assets in the event they must apply for Medicaid assistance to pay LTC costs. Colorado is using what is termed the “dollar-for-dollar” model, which means that LTC Partnership policy holders who apply for Medicaid coverage are able to maintain their assets equal to the benefits paid under the LTC Partnership policy. Thus, family wealth is preserved for future generations.
If you have assets that you want to protect, can afford the premiums and want to be in charge of the type of long term care you receive, the Partnership for Long Term Care program can help you achieve those goals. An estate planning attorney with experience in Medicaid planning can help you determine the right path for your future needs.
Hammond Law Group, LLC – Medicaid Law Colorado Springs CO
Author Bio
Catherine Hammond is the CEO and founder of Hammond Law Group, a Colorado-based estate planning law firm she founded in 2005. With a strong focus on protecting families from the legal consequences of disability and death, she creates comprehensive estate plans that minimize taxes, costs, and government interference.
A native of Denver, Catherine completed her undergraduate studies at Coe College in Iowa, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of Law in 1993, concentrating on estate planning, tax, and mediation. Catherine is a member of various professional organizations, including WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Colorado Springs Estate Planning Council, and the Purposeful Planning Institute. Beyond her legal expertise, Catherine provides transformational coaching to support clients and their families through life transitions.
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