Long-term Care Medical Assistance—and the HSS Asset Protection Program

Who is qualified for “long-term care medical assistance?” 1) Individuals who meet specific government criteria, including the amount of their personal finances and 2) those for whom it has been are determined medically necessary to reside (temporarily or permanently) in a licensed sub-acute care facility.

Understanding your long-term care options

Long-term care is generally viewed as a program for impoverished residents. Yet, it is also administered to younger adults and children who are disabled and impoverished.

There are various levels of required assistance skills under which an individual may be categorized. These categories are prescribed by a medical professional, and must be approved by the state through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene review group.

While some of the financial requirements are similar to those in the Community Medical Assistance (CMA) category, there are significant differences in the way “over scale” income is administered—and the way that asset allocation and real estate are calculated in the eligibility process.

The HSS Asset Protection Program

Hospital Support Services, Inc. (HSS) is well-versed in the Maryland State approved methodology as to how to calculate the proper allocation of assets. If you or a loved one is approaching or in need of long-term care, and you believe assets or income may be over the allowed limit, contact HSS to learn how to qualify for the HSS Asset Protection Program.

How long-term care asset preservation gained support

Several years ago, Senator Barbara Mikulski recognized the fact that some senior citizens (and disabled young adults) needed to be institutionalized in a long-term care facility, but they still had a spouse/family living in the community. In order to meet the government’s strict financial criteria, the spouse/family was forced to dispose of nearly all assets. This process led to impoverishment of those who remained in the community in order to provide necessary, life-sustaining living arrangements for the ill or disabled individual.

As a service to her constituents and residents of Maryland, Senator Mikulski worked with Congress to develop a method of determining financial eligibility that would allow the institutionalized spouse to meet financial eligibility criteria while allowing the spouse/family in the community to retain a sufficient portion of the family assets to survive.