There may come a day when you or a loved one requires assisted living or nursing home care. While it’s not easy to think about, long-term care planning is a critical part of estate planning. In the United States—and especially in Arkansas—nursing home care is extremely costly. Even worse, Medicare does not cover most long-term care expenses, and Medicaid eligibility is based on strict financial limits.
That’s why proactive Medicaid planning in Arkansas is essential. Below, our team explains the risks of waiting too long and how an experienced Arkansas Medicaid planning attorney can help you protect your assets.
Key Takeaways
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Medicare does not cover long-term nursing home care — relying on it can lead to financial hardship.
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Medicaid covers nursing home costs, but eligibility is based on strict income and asset limits.
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Without planning, you may be forced to spend down nearly all your assets to qualify for coverage.
The Problem: Long-Term Care Is Not Covered by Medicare
According to Senior Living, the average cost of a private nursing home room in Arkansas is now over $7,900 per month. Even short stays can wipe out savings.
Many people assume Medicare will pay for nursing homes, but it offers only very limited coverage—and only under specific conditions. In contrast, Medicaid covers long-term care, but it is means-tested. This means you must have very limited income and assets to qualify.
Without proper Medicaid planning, families are often forced to “spend down” nearly all assets before qualifying. Fortunately, there are legal strategies that can help you protect your finances while still becoming eligible.
What Is Medicaid Spend-Down?
“Spend-down” refers to the process of reducing your countable assets to meet Arkansas Medicaid eligibility requirements. To learn more about how these rules work, see our page on Medicaid spend-down strategies.
4 Ways an Arkansas Medicaid Planning Attorney Can Help
1. Protecting Your Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid
An experienced Medicaid planning lawyer can help you navigate the system and legally protect assets using tools like:
- Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
- Spousal refusal or spousal protection strategies
- Miller Trusts
- Exempt asset conversions
Our goal is to preserve your family’s wealth while ensuring your loved one qualifies for long-term care benefits.
2. Creating a Legally Sound Spend-Down Plan
If your loved one has too many assets to qualify for Medicaid, our attorneys can develop a compliant spend-down strategy. This might include:
- Converting countable assets into exempt ones
- Prepaying for funeral and burial expenses
- Making medically necessary or home safety improvements
Each strategy must be timed correctly and documented to avoid Medicaid penalties. Our Arkansas Medicaid planning lawyers will help ensure your spend-down is effective and fully compliant with the law.
3. Assisting With the Complex Medicaid Application Process
The application for long-term care Medicaid in Arkansas is complicated and requires detailed documentation, including up to five years of financial records. Errors can lead to denials, delays, or penalties.
We assist clients with preparing and submitting complete applications that comply with Arkansas DHS guidelines and avoid costly mistakes.
4. Preserving the Financial Security of the Healthy Spouse
When one spouse enters a nursing home, the other—the community spouse—still needs financial protection. Arkansas follows the federal Spousal Impoverishment Protection rules, allowing the community spouse to retain certain income and assets.
We help families make use of tools like:
- Spousal resource allowances
- Monthly maintenance needs allowances (MMNA)
Our goal is to help both spouses maintain the highest possible quality of life—without sacrificing Medicaid eligibility.
Why Choose McClelland Law Firm for Medicaid Planning in Arkansas
Long-term care planning is complex, and many families aren’t sure where to start. At McClelland Law Firm, P.A., we focus exclusively on estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid strategy.
We’ve helped Arkansas families preserve hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets while securing quality care for their loved ones. Learn more about why clients choose us or reach out today for tailored guidance.
Contact Our Arkansas Medicaid Planning Attorney Today
At McClelland Law Firm, P.A., our skilled attorneys provide comprehensive Medicaid planning services. We proudly serve clients throughout Arkansas, with offices in Sherwood, Little Rock, Benton, and Searcy.
If you need help with Medicaid eligibility, spend-down planning, or long-term care strategies, contact us today for a fully confidential consultation.