Medicaid And Long-Term Care Planning
Last updated on September 14, 2026
Planning for long-term care can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. Whether you are planning for yourself or helping an aging parent, questions about nursing home care, Medicaid and protecting your assets can leave you unsure where to begin.
I am attorney Angela Davis-Morris, and at Davis-Morris Law Firm, I help individuals and families understand their estate planning options. After navigating the estate planning process with my own parents, I understand how difficult it can be to know where to start. I take an educational, approachable approach to help you understand your options and make informed decisions for yourself and your family.
Why Plan For Long-Term Care?
Long-term care can be expensive and traditional health insurance may not cover the care you need. Without proper planning, many families end up paying for nursing home care until their assets are depleted before turning to Medicaid for help.
Planning can help you understand your options before you reach that point. The earlier you begin, the more time you may have to consider how to prepare for future care needs, protect your assets and provide for the people you love.
Understanding Your Medicaid Options
Medicaid and long-term care planning can be difficult to understand. Questions about eligibility, income, assets and transferring property can leave families unsure where to begin. You do not have to figure everything out on your own before asking for help.
I can help you better understand the planning process and the options available in your situation. Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or trying to help an aging parent or other loved one, I can provide clear guidance as you consider your next steps.
Call my office at 601-602-8874 to schedule an appointment and discuss your long-term care planning concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid And Long-Term Care Planning
Medicaid and long-term care planning can raise many questions, especially when you are trying to prepare for future care or respond to a loved one’s changing needs. Below are answers to some common questions about Medicare, Medicaid and planning for long-term care.
Doesn’t Medicare pay for long-term care?
Medicare will only pay for 20 days in a nursing home, except for limited circumstances when it can pay for part of an additional 80 days.
Medicaid, however, will pay for nursing home costs, if you qualify.
Many are frequently confused between Medicare and Medicaid. The names are similar, but the benefits are very different. Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to anyone over 65 years of age, or under 65 and disabled. It has no financial requirements to qualify and has two primary parts: Part A, coverage for in-hospital care, extended care, some home healthcare and hospice services; and Part B, which may cover outpatient care, some medical equipment like walkers or wheelchairs and some preventive services, if you opt in and pay the premium for Part B coverage.
Medicaid, however, is potential healthcare coverage for those with limited resources and income. It can also cover nursing home costs, although it can be difficult to qualify for Medicaid. With proper planning, even short-notice crisis planning, you can qualify and protect your life savings, too. But paying for nursing home care without it can be almost impossible.
Do I need to plan for long-term care?
Long-term care is expensive. It is often one of the most important concerns that comes with aging and traditional health insurance doesn’t cover it. Nursing homes often cost well over $8,000 per month in Mississippi. Without some kind of financial assistance, these costs can be financially devastating and without proper planning, most people will end up paying for long-term nursing home care until they run out of assets, and then turn to Medicaid to pay for the care. It does not have to happen this way.
Fortunately, with some planning and knowledge, you can protect your life savings and also receive Medicaid benefits for long-term care costs. The earlier you start, the more you can protect to pass on to your loved ones. Call Davis-Morris Law Firm today. You do have options.
Should I just give my assets away in order to qualify?
In short, no. While you certainly could give assets away, it is rarely the best idea to do so, especially when you may need long-term care.
You may not be aware that many assets do not count against you when applying for Medicaid. Your home is one of them. If you are married and one spouse applies for Medicaid to cover nursing home costs, the other spouse does not lose the family home. If a single (unmarried) person applies, any equity in their home up to $713,000 (2024) does not count against them in Mississippi. But, in either of these instances, if the homeowner gives their home away or transfers the title for less than fair market value, they could be ineligible for Medicaid immediately and for a time period into the future.
Remember, too, that any uncompensated transfers (gifts or transfers for less than fair market value) made during the five-year look-back period can subject you to a penalty and could disqualify you from receiving Medicaid for months or even years. It is always better to prepare a thorough asset protection plan than to simply begin giving assets away without complete knowledge of possible ramifications.
Call Today For A Consultation
It is never too late or too early to protect your assets. Call Davis-Morris Law Firm today at 601-602-8874 to schedule an appointment so that I, attorney Angela Davis-Morris, can prepare your plan. You may be surprised at your options. From my office in Hattiesburg, I can assist clients throughout South-Central Mississippi.