There is currently no transfer of income penalty in California. However, a nursing home resident’s income must be used to meet their SOC, or Medi-Cal will pay for NO services during that month. The nursing home resident is allowed only $35 for personal needs. It is fine if he/she wants to give their $35 away, but then there will be nothing for personal needs unless the individual wants to dip into their $2,000 property reserve. Funds from their $2,000 property reserve may also be given away without penalty. When funds are used from the $2,000 property reserve, the reserve can be increased the following month to the $2,000 limit

It is important to know that age in and of itself is not a dominant or sole factor in determining your oral health. However, certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers, may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to impossible to perform. Drugs can also affect oral health and may make a change in your dental treatment necessary. The inability to go to the dental office to due lack of mobility. If you have these type of issues that are keeping you from having the best oral health care you can have. You may want to look into a mobile dentist. A mobile dentist comes to you when you can not go to them.

Denture-induced stomatitis. First stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. Ill-fitting dentures, poor dental hygiene, or a buildup of the fungus Candida albicans can cause this condition, which is inflammation of the tissue underlying a denture.

The Medi-Cal “Look-Back” period in California is 30 months. “Transfer” means an outright gift or a “sale” made at less than “fair market value.” If a disqualifying transfer of property is made, Medi-Cal will calculate the period of ineligibility for nursing facility level of care. It will be the number of months resulting when the “net fair market value” of the transferred asset, which would have resulted in excess property at the time of the transfer, is divided by the monthly average private nursing facility cost. In
2002, the average cost used to calculate the period length is $4,322 per month. In 2001, this amount was $4,163.

Periodontitis also known as Gum disease is caused by plaque and made worse by food left in teeth, use of tobacco products, poor-fitting bridges and dentures, poor diets, and certain diseases, such as anemia, cancer, and diabetes, this is often a problem for older adults.

The 2002 community spouse resource allowances are $89,280 in assets and $2,232 in monthly income. For a married couple with one spouse in a nursing home and the other spouse at home, the spouse at home may keep up to $89,280 in resources (property and other assets) while the spouse in a nursing home may keep $2,000. The spouse at home may keep all of the income received in his or her name, regardless of the amount. If the amount is below $2,232 per month, the spouse in the nursing home may
allocate income to bring the at-home spouse’s income up to the $2,232 per month limit. The spouse in the nursing home is permitted to keep $35 a month for personal needs. (For 2001, the amounts were $87,000 in assets and $2,175 in income).

Seniors and Diminished sense of taste: While advancing age impairs the sense of taste, diseases, medications, and dentures can also contribute to this sensory loss.

Generally, no. The only exception is if the facility is not certified to accept payment from the Medi-Cal program. In that case, the facility would be allowed to transfer or discharge the resident if the resident’s stay is no longer covered by long-term care insurance and he/she is unable to continue to pay privately. However, the facility is required to inform residents of this possibility at the time they are admitted to the facility.

Changes in dentin to some extent can be a cause of darkened teeth. Additional causes can include a lifetime of consuming stain-causing foods and beverages, which is also caused by thinning of the outer enamel layer that lets the darker yellower dentin show through. However, a darkened tooth or teeth may also be a sign of a more serious dental problem and you should have it checked by your dentist.

Medicare pays for a wide range of services, including many preventive benefits, however, coverage of dental care is very limited. So where can you turn to in order to have dental care services at a more affordable cost.

On our website shareofcost.com sell dental insurance to individual and family plans. Just because you may have Medicare dose not mean you can not buy dental insurance for yourself and your dental care needs.

We offer lower cost HMO insurance plans as well as PPO insurance plans where you can chose your own dentist. In order to review our insurance plan options just enter your zip code in the quote box provided. If you have any questions about our dental insurance plans options please call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am-4pm Pacific Daylight Time

The Medi-Cal program determines eligibility for benefits on a “means” tested basis. If a Medi-Cal applicant’s property/assets are over the Medi-Cal property limit, the applicant will not be eligible for Medi-Cal unless they lower their property/assets according to the program rules. The Medi-Cal
eligibility worker looks at how much an applicant and their family has each month. If their property/assets are below the limit at any time during that month, the applicant will get Medi-Cal, if otherwise eligible. If a person has more than the limit for a whole month, Medi-Cal benefits will be
discontinued.

A person’s home, furnishings, personal items, and one motor vehicle are not counted. A single person is allowed to keep $2,000 in property/assets, more if they are married and/or have a family. (If a person has a Partnership policy, however, each dollar the Partnership policy pays out in benefits entitles the insured to keep a dollar of his/her assets should he/she ever need to apply for Medi-Cal Services.)

For example, if a person receives an inheritance that puts their property/asset amount to more than $2,000, they would be required to spend that amount down to $2,000 before Medi-Cal would pay for any further care.

Does Medicare pay for preventive dental care as well majors services such as dentures?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine oral dental care, such preventive care and fillings, dentures, root canals, etc.

Original Medicare however, may pay for dental services that are medically necessary prior to another covered Medicare medical procedure.

Such as, Medicare might pay for a tooth extraction if it is required before heart surgery. Or, a person with oral cancer might get a procedure covered prior to radiation treatment. Even if Medicare does pay for some services as preparation for a medical procedure, it will not cover the cost of implants or dentures.

You can find more information by downloading a copy of “Before You Buy,” found on the Partnership’s web site. This document, which provides an explanation of asset protection and Medi-Cal Eligibility rules, must be provided to consumers when long-term care presentations are made, in compliance with Partnership regulations. “Before You Buy” is updated annually with new figures on current Medi-Cal resource and income limits.

Did you know that dental implants require the same normal oral care routine as teeth because they mimic the natural tooth. You can successfully floss and brush around the implant like a normal tooth. Dental bridges, on the other hand, require meticulous care and you are expected to floss under the false tooth. This is particularly challenging for the elderly who may not be as attentive to details. This makes dental implants easier to manage.

If you are a senior may wonder whether dental implants work just as well for older patients as they do for younger ones. You may also wonder whether your dental implants have a different success rate based on your age.

The answer to that question is that dental implants are just as effective and long-lasting in older patients as they are in younger ones. In fact, dental implants can change the lives of older patients for the better, giving them more confidence and improved physical and mental health.

According to a 2004 study, it reviewed success rates after five years for dental implants in patients over 80 years and those that were under 80. This study found that the two groups had the same success rates.

Generally the implant dentists evaluates an older patients for a possibility of getting dental implants, they look at the following factors:

• General health
• Oral health
• Bone health
• Medications

If you are interested in having dental implants or knowing more about them, don’t let your age be a main factor. Talk to your dentist and go over options that are good for you and your overall all health care.

Dental implants are permanent attached anchors that integrate with your jawbone to provide a stable base for long-term tooth replacement. Customized crowns for the implant are then attached to the implants.

Because dental implants become part of your jaw, they look and feel like natural teeth. They do not move or slip around while you eat or talk.