Medicaid is the governmental program that uses tax payer money to pay for the health care and long-term care services. The main use of Medicaid in Michigan is paying for the cost of a skilled nursing facility. Theoretically, estate recovery is implemented to help return taxpayer money that was used to pay for these services . I say theoretically because of trying to recover assets or place liens on a Medicaid recpiient’s assets probably costs the tax payers more than the recovery yields.
If a Michigan Medicaid recpient receives services paid for by Medicaid, the state of Michigan has the right to ask for the money back from the estate of the recpient after he or she has passed away.
In other words, to put it bluntly, the state of Michigan will now be taking the family home whem mom or dad passes away if they recieved any assistance for long-term care costs which can run $9,000 per month! It is imperative that you speak with a Michigan elder law attorney to discuss the planning options for your beloved senior’s home.