If you're on Medicaid and are in need of long-term care — such as if you are getting older and don't feel comfortable living alone anymore, or if you have a child who needs help in a residential setting due to the level of care that they need — then there are certain things that you need to know.

There's a Good Chance Medicaid Will Help Pay for Care

First of all, if you are someone who is on Medicaid, then you might be a low-income individual. If this is the case, then you might be really worried that you are not going to be able to pay for the long-term care that you need. After all, living in a nursing home or paying for other types of long-term care can be very expensive. The good news is that you should be able to get the care that you need without worrying about it financially crippling you since there is a good chance that Medicaid will pay for the care that you need.

You May Qualify for Medicare, Too

If you don't already have Medicare, now is a good time to look into whether or not you are eligible. Not only do Americans over a certain age typically qualify for Medicare, but those who are permanently disabled often qualify for Medicare, too. Just because you sign up for Medicare does not mean that you will have to give up Medicaid. Instead, you can use both types of insurance at one time; in some cases, you will find that Medicaid will pay for things that Medicare does not pay for, and vice versa. This can help you maximize your savings and get the long-term care services that you need.

You May Have More Options Than You Think

As someone who will be using Medicaid to pay for long-term services — such as if you are going to be living in a nursing home — you might think that your options are a lot more limited than someone who is paying for services with cash. However, your options might not be as limited as you think. In some cases, you can use Medicaid to pay for different types of long-term care, such as in-home care services. Additionally, there are many nursing homes and other similar facilities out there that accept Medicaid, and it pays for you to look into all of your options so you can choose the right one for you.

Reach out to a healthcare and Medicaid professional for more information regarding long-term Medicaid services.