Will the Nursing Home Take Mama's House?

Q: Hi! My sister & I are so confused and essentially at a loss here in Alabama. Our 76 year old mother is in ICU with cancer & pneumonia. She's owned her home for more than 20 years - and she paid it off about 15 years ago. I have lived in it for the past 2 1/2 years and have acted as her primary caregiver - I'm 40.

We are looking at nursing homes and are scared they'll take Mama's home... (property value is 89k). She only has about 60k saved up, has Medicare of course, and has Tri-Care for Life (retired military).

What do we do? Hire a lawyer? Is there any place we can get free, personalized advice in Alabama?

I look forward to hearing back from you soon!

A: Does TriCare provide an long-term care benefits?

If not, then she will need to spend down her assets (pay for her own care) before she can qualify for Medicaid. Since someone is living in the home, they may not force the sale but might instead put a lien on it so that when it is sold they can recover up to the amount the spent on her care.

I suggest you call the Medicaid and TriCare offices. They will be able to answer your questions more specifically.

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