Medicare Information

•  Entitlement-based Federal program

•  Provides Medical insurance for the aged and disabled

•  Pays for expenses incurred in hospital stays

•  Pays nursing home costs for the first 20 days after a three night hospital stay

•  Can pay an additional 80 days in the nursing home during which time the individual is required to pay a co-payment for the remaining 80 days. Many people have Medicare Supplement Health Insurance policies that cover this co-payment

You should also know that Medicare coverage does not necessarily remain in effect for the entire 80-day period after the first 20 days. Medicare may stop paying at any time depending on the individual's medical condition.

Medicaid Institutionalized Care Program (ICP) Information

•  Needs-based program funded jointly by federal and state funds

•  Several benefit programs under the Medicaid umbrella with each having its own set of requirements for qualification of benefits

•  Institutionalized Care Program (ICP) under Medicaid is commonly referred to as the Nursing Home Care Program.

•  Originally designed to provide low-income persons with financial assistance to meet the costs of medical care and housing

•  Pays nursing home costs and most related costs for qualified nursing home residents

Many people think of Medicaid as a source of assistance only for individuals in a poverty stricken condition. Click on Medicaid Eligibility Requirements and you will see from the dollar amounts listed that you do not have to have a below average income before you can qualify for benefits under Medicaid's ICP program. Even the middle class individual is allowed to benefit from Medicaid during a nursing home stay.

MIR, Inc. works under the direction of attorneys. However, this website is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.