How Vick Law Helps Families Protect Their Future

Many families in Greenwood come to Vick Law with the same question:

“Doesn’t Medicare cover nursing home care?”

It’s an understandable confusion—and one that often leads to costly mistakes. The truth is, Medicare and Medicaid are very different, and knowing that difference can protect your family’s home and savings from being wiped out by long-term care costs.

At Vick Law in Greenwood, Indiana, we focus on Medicaid planning because it gives families control, peace of mind, and financial protection during one of life’s most vulnerable stages.

Why Families Confuse Medicare and Medicaid

Both programs help older adults and those with medical needs, but they serve very different purposes.

• Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older (and certain younger individuals with disabilities). It covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and short-term rehabilitation after illness or injury.
  • However, Medicare does not cover long-term nursing home care. At most, it may pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a hospital stay—and only if specific conditions are met.
• Medicaid, on the other hand, is a needs-based program jointly funded by the state and federal government. It’s the only government program that helps pay for long-term nursing home care and, in some cases, in-home care.

This is where confusion—and financial trouble—often begins. Families assume Medicare will step in to cover ongoing care needs, only to discover that coverage ends after a few months. When that happens, they’re suddenly faced with bills of $10,000 to $12,000 per month for nursing home care.

What Medicaid Planning Really Means

Medicaid planning is the process of preparing your finances and assets so you can qualify for Medicaid benefits without losing everything you’ve worked for.

Many people think they have to spend down all their savings or sell their home before they can qualify for help. That’s not true. With proper legal planning, you can often:

• Protect your home and other valuable assets.
• Preserve savings for a spouse or future family needs.
• Qualify for Medicaid coverage for nursing home or in-home care.
• Avoid financial mistakes that can lead to penalties or disqualification.

Vick Law helps families use tools like Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) and strategic gifting or transfers—within the bounds of the law—to meet eligibility requirements while safeguarding what matters most.

Why Vick Law Offers Medicaid Planning

Vick Law has seen too many Indiana families panic when faced with long-term care decisions. A spouse or parent suddenly needs nursing home care, and the family realizes that even a lifetime of savings can disappear in a matter of months.

We offer Medicaid planning because it’s about dignity and security—ensuring that people can receive the care they need without bankrupting the family in the process.

Our goal is simple:

• Help families understand their options.
• Protect assets through smart, lawful strategies.
• Ensure loved ones receive quality care while maintaining financial stability.

Whether you’re planning ahead or already in crisis, it’s not too late to get help.

How Vick Law in Greenwood Can Help

At Vick Law, 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113, Greenwood, IN 46142, we guide families through every step of the Medicaid planning process. We help you:

• Understand how Medicaid eligibility works in Indiana.
• Create a customized plan that protects your assets and meets state requirements.
• Set up Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) or other legal tools to preserve wealth.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers and caseworkers to ensure smooth applications and transitions.

Planning ahead—before care is needed—gives you the most options. But even if your loved one is already in a nursing home, there are still strategies we can use to help.

Call Vick Law today at 317-884-3133 or click HERE to schedule a Medicaid planning consultation. Learn how to protect your home, savings, and family’s future while ensuring quality care.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare is health insurance—it doesn’t cover long-term care.
• Medicaid pays for long-term nursing home or in-home care if you qualify financially.
• Medicaid planning helps you qualify while protecting your assets and your family’s stability.
• Vick Law in Greenwood, IN can guide you through every step, whether you’re planning early or facing immediate care needs.

Reference: https://www.medicare.gov