What Benefits Cover Long-Term Care in Texas?
Following an on-the-job injury in Texas, you might be able to cover long-term care expenses via a blend of workers’ compensation benefits, like Impairment Income Benefits for enduring injuries, combined with long-term care insurance and personal savings.
For long-term care expenses with no other coverage options, Texas Medicaid could be an option, provided you satisfy the conditions for eligibility. Those injured in workplace accidents in Texas need to explore all of their coverage options, particularly workers’ comp benefits, which are designated specifically for workplace injuries.
If you were injured in a workplace accident and have concerns about paying for long-term care, contact the Law Office of Sandy McCorquodale, P.C., and schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Texas on-the-job injury lawyers today.
Impairment Income Benefits
Impairment Income Benefits serve as compensation to workers who have reached maximum medical improvement but are left with long-term or permanent impairments from a work-related illness or injury. IIb benefits are a type of financial compensation, usually paid out in weekly installments or as a lump sum, and are distinct from other benefits such as medical expenses and lost wages.
A person’s eligibility and how much benefit they are eligible to receive are governed by several factors, such as the severity and longevity of the injuries, their whole-person impairment rating, and state-specific regulations.
Lifetime Income Benefits
Lifetime Income Benefits are available to Texas workers who sustain permanent and severe on-the-job injuries. LIBs are calculated at 75% of your average weekly earnings, and include an annual increase of 3%.
As the name suggests, Lifetime Income Benefits are designed to last the rest of your life and are for specific injuries such as the loss of one or more body parts or total blindness. There are established maximum and minimum payment limits, and the 3% yearly raise applies annually, even if you reach the maximum rate during your first year.
Supplemental Income Benefits
In Texas, Supplemental Income Benefits are monthly payments made to injured employees actively looking for work with a whole body impairment rating of more than 15%.
These benefits replace a portion of lost income once your Impairment Income Benefits end, calculated as 80% of the difference between 80% of your average weekly pay and any wages you are currently receiving. In order to be eligible, you must not have accepted the lump-sum settlement and demonstrate genuine effort in seeking gainful employment.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Some Texas employers provide additional comprehensive insurance coverage to their employees, while many people purchase their own supplemental insurance policies. Long-term care insurance coverage is a specific type of insurance that covers nursing home or care home expenses, and other similar costs typically accrued when someone’s health takes a major downturn.
If a policy is purchased later in life, the premiums levied by the insurance carrier may be steep enough to make LTC insurance prohibitively expensive.
Medicare
If you have to move into a skilled rehabilitation center or nursing home for medical reasons, Medicare might cover a portion of it, but only while medically necessary. For instance, Medicare Part A covers the full cost of services and treatments for the first 20 days. From the 21st day to the 100th, you will be required to pay a portion of the bill.
After the 100th day, Medicare will cease payments entirely, regardless of your situation. Medicare does not cover custodial or long-term care, including assistance with getting dressed, cleaning, bathing, or cooking. It will, however, still cover medical treatments, doctor visits, and hospitalizations.
For those with Medicare Part D, their prescription medications will also be covered. Some individuals may qualify for a Medicare Special Needs Plan, which provides specialized coverage options that are considerably more affordable.
Consult With a Texas On-the-Job Injury Lawyer
Most people intend to use one or a combination of these resources. Knowing how people manage the high costs of long-term care can help individuals better prepare for their economic security and preserve their legacy.
At S. McCorquodale P.C., our Texas on-the-job injury lawyers are committed to safeguarding the rights of Texas workers who’ve been injured on the job. You shouldn’t have to struggle to collect benefits you’ve already earned. Our firm carefully reviews benefit calculations, monitors yearly adjustments, and challenges insurers that try to get out of paying what they owe. To schedule a confidential legal consultation, call our firm at (833) 712-4472 or fill out the quick contact form on our website.