Getting to Know the Basics of Medicaid

medicaid community spouse estate planning long-term health care

65 and Older: Applying For Medicaid In Ohio

medicaid community spouse estate planning long-term health carMedicaid is a federal and state program that provides long-term health care for those age 65 and older who meet certain income and asset requirements. Medicare is a federal health insurance program available for anyone age 65 or older regardless of income or asset level but does not cover long term care. Thus, if a senior needs long term care, they pay for it from their own resources until they reach a level qualifying them for Medicaid eligibility, at which time Medicaid takes over and pays the long-term health care  facility’s bill going forward. The basic rules are as follows. All numbers are Ohio Medicaid figures for 2022.

An individual applying for Medicaid must satisfy an income eligibility test. The applicant’s eligibility must not exceed $2,523 per month. If the applicant is married, the applicant’s spouse’s income is not counted. Also, the non-applicant spouse may be entitled to a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA). If the applicant would otherwise qualify for Medicaid other than failing the income test, they can set up a qualified income trust (QIT), sometimes known as a “miller’s trust”, whereby the excess income is deposited into … Read More... “Getting to Know the Basics of Medicaid”

Twelve Step Programs – Debunking the Myths

Exposing The Eight Most Common Arguments For Not Attending Twelve Step Programs

Twelve Step ProgramsAs an alcohol and drug abuse counselor, I work with many people who are struggling with addiction or substance abuse. Whether you are the one struggling or you have a loved one who is battling the disease, I always recommend a Twelve Step Program. Unfortunately, I am almost always met with resistance. Much of that resistance comes from misconceptions about what Twelve Step Programs are all about, so I will address some of the biggest myths here. These are the eight most common arguments I hear for not attending Twelve Step meetings. (For brevity and clarity, I am using the terms alcoholic and addict interchangeably. When I use the terms “alcohol” or “drugs”, you can substitute any addiction- including gambling. pornography, prescription or illicit drugs.)

  1. Twelve Step Programs are a cult or religion. I know this because they all meet in churches and are very secretive.

    False. Twelve Step Programs meet in other places besides churches. They look for inexpensive or free space to hold their meetings. They have no religious affiliation. There is no “secrecy” but rather anonymity. Many feel embarrassed or shameful because of the behavior

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AlcohoIism And Chemical Dependency: Special Dilemmas In Family Law Cases

drug_al.jpgAlcoholism is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as “the habitual drinking of alcoholic liquor, or as a resulting diseased condition”. It is also defined as a chronic and progressive illness characterized by physiological and psychological dependency upon the ingestion of alcohol; a loss of control over drinking, including when, and in what form, how much, and why; and interference with normal functioning in one or all such areas such as family, work, friendship, and community activity.

Chemical Dependency can be defined as alcoholism is above…..but it is a chronic and progressive illness characterized by a physical and psychological dependency upon the ingestion of legal or illegal mood altering drugs; a loss of control over the ingestion of the drugs, including when, and in what form, how much, and why; and interference with normal functioning in one or all such areas such as family, work, friendship, and community activity.

Are families in domestic relations matters impacted by these diseases?

Absolutely. I practiced mental health/chemical dependency nursing for a number of years before entering law school, so I am very attuned to alcohol/chemical dependency issues. While I have not conducted any research over the past twenty-two (22) years of my legal … Read More... “AlcohoIism And Chemical Dependency: Special Dilemmas In Family Law Cases”