One of the most common misconceptions I hear from families in Brandon, Riverview, Fishhawk, and Lithia is this: “We don’t need to plan for long-term care because Medicare will cover it.”
It’s an understandable assumption. Medicare is the health insurance most people associate with aging, so it seems logical that it would cover nursing home stays or in-home care when the time comes. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works, and families who discover this too late often face a financial crisis at an already difficult moment.
What Medicare Actually Covers
Medicare is health insurance. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and some short-term rehabilitation. What it does not cover is custodial care, which is the kind of ongoing, daily assistance that people with serious illness, dementia, or age-related decline often need most.
If your loved one needs help with bathing, dressing, eating, or getting around, Medicare generally won’t pay for it. And if they need to move into a nursing facility for ongoing care rather than short-term recovery, Medicare’s coverage is limited and time-bound. After 100 days, you’re on your own.
So What Does Cover Long-Term Care?
Medicaid is the government program that actually pays for long-term care for eligible individuals, but qualifying requires meeting strict income and asset limits. This is where advanced planning becomes so important.
Many families in the Brandon and Riverview area come to us after a crisis has already hit. A parent is hospitalized, a nursing facility placement is needed, and the family has weeks to figure out how to pay for it. Medicaid planning done in advance gives families far more options and far less stress.
Long-term care insurance is another option worth considering, though it becomes harder to obtain and more expensive the longer you wait. An elder law attorney can help you evaluate whether it makes sense for your situation.
Why This Matters for Your Estate Plan
Long-term care costs can quickly erode the assets you’ve worked a lifetime to build. A single year in a Florida nursing facility can cost well over $100,000. Without a plan, those costs can fall entirely on your family.
The good news is that there are legal strategies that can help protect your assets while still ensuring your loved one gets the care they need. Special needs trusts, Medicaid eligibility planning, and thoughtful estate planning work together to create a safety net that Medicare simply doesn’t provide.
Families in Fishhawk and Lithia who assume Medicare has them covered may be putting everything at risk without realizing it.
Let’s Talk Before There’s a Crisis
If you’re not sure how long-term care fits into your estate plan, now is the time to find out. Contact the Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall at (813) 438-8503 to schedule a consultation. A little planning today can protect everything tomorrow.