Getting Divorce to qualify for Medicaid

[magic mouse]

Would anybody consider this option especially in today's economy?

 

[RNMOM]

Wow, that is a tough question. If this is a serious consideration for this person I would hope they have really checked out all other options. Divorce will also mean changes in Social Security in the future and other things too.

Many hospitals have programs to help uninsured or underinsured people. I would suggest checking these out as well.

 

[disneyfreakk]

Can you give us more information to go on? There has to be a reason you asked this, and its hard to give an honest opinion without a reasoning behind it.

 

[magic mouse]

I know an elderly couple who is considering this option. One is very ill and they want to protect their assests. I don't know them well so don't know too much.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I know an elderly couple who is considering this option. One is very ill and they want to protect their assests. I don't know them well so don't know too much.

Are they going to live apart? If not, they should not do it. It is against the law and considered FRAUD if they are still living together. Many people have done this for food stamps and other resources and when they got caught they had bigger problems. They need to contact a social worker to help them get the help they need. The US has a lot of nonprofits that help people with medical needs and other needs as well.

 

[chris1gill]

I know an elderly couple who is considering this option. One is very ill and they want to protect their assests. I don't know them well so don't know too much.

This happens frequently, it's not an unusual situation. One spouse has to have the means to live when the other passes on. Under current scenarios, all funding must be spent down for the sick one's health.

It's sad when it comes to this, but I'd rather see this happen (divorce), than one spouse take both their lives due to the situation, which of course we also see pretty regularly.

 

[edwardsfire]

Lets see; How can we milk uncle sam to pay for something we cant.....I know, lets get a divorce.

Oh, thats sad. Its like stealing from the taxpayers.

 

[kellyg403]

Yes, if it was the only way. I would not want to leave behind a bunch of medical or other bills for my children and husband.

I know that it might change the social security issue, but I think that depending on the length of the marriage etc the divorced spouse still is able to get a certain dollar amount. I only know this because my dh's ex has informed us that she will not be getting married again because social security said that they were married longer than ten years so she can get his social if he passes away.

OP, I really hope that they look thoroughly at their options.

Kelly

 

[Mickeyluver37]

No, I can't imagine doing anything of the sort just for a government handout.

 

[Allison]

No way.

 

[Uncle Remus]

No, I can't imagine doing anything of the sort just for a government handout.

How come y'all see government programs that we all pay for as handouts?

 

[MushyMushy]

If I felt that my health problems were going to devastate my family financially, then I'd get a divorce to qualify, even if that meant a true divorce. Sorry, but I just would. I'd do anything for my family.

Now, if it was a matter of protecting an inheritance, then no. But to keep them from going under, hell yes.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

If I felt that my health problems were going to devastate my family financially, then I'd get a divorce to qualify, even if that meant a true divorce. Sorry, but I just would. I'd do anything for my family.

Now, if it was a matter of protecting an inheritance, then no. But to keep them from going under, hell yes.

My dad passed away and we were not responsible for his medical bills. A friend of mine, her mom passed away from cancer, her dad was not responsible for the bills. Why? Because my mom and my friend's dad put the patient as the responsible person for the bill. The hospitals, helicopter to the hospital and all the doctors wrote the bill off. People do have other ways around it, you don't have to get a divorce because of medical bills

 

[MushyMushy]

My dad passed away and we were not responsible for his medical bills. A friend of mine, her mom passed away from cancer, her dad was not responsible for the bills. Why? Because my mom and my friend's dad put the patient as the responsible person for the bill. The hospitals, helicopter to the hospital and all the doctors wrote the bill off. People do have other ways around it, you don't have to get a divorce because of medical bills

Right, but they died (and I'm sorry for that, I don't mean to sound flippant, truly I don't).

What happens if the sick person is going to live for quite a while with a major illness?

 

[Mickey527]

My ex in-laws had a friend who had MS. He had a good job bu as he got sicker they let him go with insurance for 18 months. Her job had insurance but this was a pre-existing condition.
THey had a daughter and had been saving money for her college education for years. She was a junior and almost ready to go to college.
they did get divorced, he moved to disabled housing and went on medicare. Medicare paid for his medications and helped him out with day care in his home for things he couldn't do any longer like cooking and dressing bathing.
Leaving her husband was the hardest thing this woman had to do but she and he both knew it had to be done. They spent most evenings together , she always went to his home for dinner and to watch tv, and went home for bed, sometimes....
The daughter went on to college and is a lawyer now for the disabled. The daughter has great insurance and she has her dad covered under her insurance. Her mom passed away before she saw her daughter graduate, and she was the "healthy one.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Right, but they died (and I'm sorry for that, I don't mean to sound flippant, truly I don't).

What happens if the sick person is going to live for quite a while with a major illness?

All you have to do is pay $1 a month and they can not come after you. I also want to add that hospitals and nonprofits have resources to help people.

 

[chattyann]

I work for a big insurance company. I deal with medicare daily. Unfortunately a lot of elderly people are getting divorces because that is the only way they can get the help they need to get their medicines and their care. Sometimes they have severe illnesses that require drugs that cost thousands of dollars a month and unless they are divorced they do not qualify. My sister-inlaw has Lupus, and some other major problems and the local office in our town told her the only way they could help her would be for her to divorce my brother and keep my nephew, then they could help her. Needless to say that was not an option. Finally my brother was able to get insurance and after a certain waiting period they covered her.

 

[Bluestars]

That is just sad. Something needs to be done to make sure everyone has health insurance. As much as I don't like the idea of universal health care, if it meant that everyone was able to get medical coverage and nobody was denied coverage, then it might be the only option.

I'm all for individual accountability, but every American deserves to get medical and prescription coverage. Of all the social services we have, I think this should be number one at the very top. If it meant I had to wait to see a doctor for a non-emergency, then it would be a small price to pay (in my opinion).

Our system is broken and it needs to be fixed. People shouldn't have to get a divorce to get medical coverage. That is so very wrong.

 

[stashbin]

Lets see; How can we milk uncle sam to pay for something we cant.....I know, lets get a divorce.

Oh, thats sad. Its like stealing from the taxpayers.

I don't know if I agree with this statement. I mean there are folks out there who live together for years without getting married just so they can still qualify for government assistance. What is the difference? I feel like married people get penalized for being married....and THAT is wrong to me.

 

[cheermom1]

Yes, if it was the only way. I would not want to leave behind a bunch of medical or other bills for my children and husband.

I know that it might change the social security issue, but I think that depending on the length of the marriage etc the divorced spouse still is able to get a certain dollar amount. I only know this because my dh's ex has informed us that she will not be getting married again because social security said that they were married longer than ten years so she can get his social if he passes away.

OP, I really hope that they look thoroughly at their options.

Kelly

I think they should look into all their options first....this is so sad

are you saying that your dh's ex wife can get his social security when he passes even though he is remarried? I don't think she can especially if you guys have kids together. and how long have they been devoriced? this just doesn't sound right to me am I missing something? I know that if they have kids together and are devoriced then the kids will get something but not the ex. sorry to go off topic ....