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Medicaid is Not Medicare - Portland, Oregon.

July 02, 2010

Medicaid is a joint federal/state program that is part of the Social Security Act. It pays for medical and long term care services to qualified individuals and families, and is the program that provides for the vast majority of our nation’s long term care needs. In general, when a person qualifies for Medicaid, his or her income and assets must be applied towards care. However, a person may keep a small portion of income for personal needs, family obligations and miscellaneous other purposes. The Medicaid program pays the difference in the cost of care directly to the facility, hospital or other provider.  Because Medicaid is such a large “buyer” of services, it pays a reduced rate to care providers. In Oregon, this is approximately 71% of the private pay rate.

NOTE:  It is important to note that if a member of your family qualifies for Medicaid, the provider can’t charge the family for the difference between the private pay rate and the Medicaid rate. To do so is a felony. The only way a provider can receive additional reimbursement from the family is if the family wishes to pay extra for services Medicaid does not provide (such as private room, television, telephone and other such amenities).

Understanding how Medicaid law affects your planning needs can be a difficult task. An attorney can help - Contact the Elder Law attorneys with the Law Offices of Nay & Friedenberg in Portland, Oregon at (503) 245-0894 to set an appointment.