An Ounce Of Prevention

An Ounce of Prevention: Correcting Costly Long-Term Care Myths

Editor’s Note: This article was written by a former Campbell Law student intern after observing numerous client meetings. The content has been verified by a licensed attorney for accuracy and revised as of September 2025.

Over the years, we have seen countless families who would have been in a far better position if they had sought advice from an elder law attorney before making major financial decisions. Many of these families acted on bad information, falling for common myths and misconceptions about Medicaid and other public assistance programs. An ounce of prevention in the form of correct information is truly worth a pound of cure.

Myth #1: “I have to sell my house to qualify for Medicaid.”

This is one of the most persistent and dangerous myths we hear. In fact, the opposite is often true. For the purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility, your primary residence is typically an exempt asset. Selling your home converts a protected asset into cash, which is a countable asset that will delay or prevent your eligibility. While it is true that your home is at risk from Medicaid estate recovery after you pass away, there are legal steps you can take now to protect it. Selling your home is rarely the right first move.

Myth #2: “It’s too late to plan if I’m already in a nursing home.”

This is also false. Many clients come to us after they have already been paying for care out of pocket for some time. While it is always better to plan in advance, it is almost never too late to take legal steps to protect your remaining assets. We frequently help families in a crisis situation to preserve a significant portion of their life savings while still qualifying for benefits. Had they known this was an option sooner, they could have saved tens of thousands of dollars.

The Power of Proactive Education

The rules for government benefits are complex and often counterintuitive. This is why we are committed to educating the public through our free monthly seminars and weekly radio programming, providing a general overview of the programs available to families. Understanding the basics is the first step in a successful plan to qualify for Medicaid.

A comprehensive approach to your long-term care needs can make all the difference for your family’s future. Call our office at (919) 256-7000 to schedule a consultation.