Health Care for Seniors

Know Your Rights

Other Planning Problems

Apple Health (Medicaid): If You Disagree with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan or Have a Complaint

Your rights and things you can do if you have any issues with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan. #5113EN

Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State

The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN

Health Care Directive (or Living Will)

A Health Care Directive (also called a Living Will) lets you state what kind of medical treatments you do or do not wish to have if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot make decisions for yourself. It also lets you write down your health care values. You can fill out your Health Care Directive here on Washington Forms Online, or download a printable packet. #9607EN

Living with Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive

This first-of-its-kind advance planning document allows people coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to document their wishes about the inevitable challenges related to living with these illnesses. Even if this directive is not legal where you live, you can still use it to document your wishes and provide a guide for your family, health care providers, long-term care providers, and others.

Mental Health Advance Directive

This is an important legal document. It creates an advance directive for mental health treatment. Before signing this document you should know some important facts. #9610EN

My long-term care facility wants to discharge me.

Read this to learn what your rights are when the long-term care facility you are living in doesn't want you to live there anymore. #5602EN

Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports

People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN

Questions and Answers on the COPES Program

COPES is a program that pays for personal care and other services for people in their own homes. COPES also pays for care in adult family homes, adult residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. It is designed to help people who, without COPES, would need to be in nursing homes. #5102EN

Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts

If you get SSI or Medicaid and then receive a lot of extra money that might otherwise make you ineligible, read this to learn what options you might have to keep your benefits. #7501EN

What can I buy and still be eligible for SSI and/or Medicaid?

To qualify for SSI or Medicaid, you can only have a certain amount of money or property (“resources”). Read this to learn how you can buy certain things to get to an amount where you qualify. #5107EN

Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State

The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN

Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports

People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN

Questions and Answers on the Community First Choice Program

CFC is a Medicaid program offering personal care and other services. The program was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under 1915(k) of the Social Security Act and is administered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). #5103EN

Questions and Answers on the COPES Program

COPES is a program that pays for personal care and other services for people in their own homes. COPES also pays for care in adult family homes, adult residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. It is designed to help people who, without COPES, would need to be in nursing homes. #5102EN

Questions and Answers on the Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA) and Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) Programs

TSOA and MAC are Medicaid programs. TSOA and MAC provide free services to unpaid caregivers who are taking care of family members who are at least 55 years old. #5171EN

Understanding Your CARE Tool Assessment

This explains how to read the Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation (CARE) document called Assessment Details. If you have not had an assessment yet this booklet will give you an idea about what to expect. During your assessment a case manager asks you questions about the help you need. That information is used to determine what services you can receive. This includes personal care hours and nursing services. #5420EN

Health Care Directive (or Living Will)

A Health Care Directive (also called a Living Will) lets you state what kind of medical treatments you do or do not wish to have if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot make decisions for yourself. It also lets you write down your health care values. You can fill out your Health Care Directive here on Washington Forms Online, or download a printable packet. #9607EN

Living with Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive

This first-of-its-kind advance planning document allows people coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to document their wishes about the inevitable challenges related to living with these illnesses. Even if this directive is not legal where you live, you can still use it to document your wishes and provide a guide for your family, health care providers, long-term care providers, and others.

Mental Health Advance Directive

This is an important legal document. It creates an advance directive for mental health treatment. Before signing this document you should know some important facts. #9610EN

Apple Health (Medicaid): If You Disagree with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan or Have a Complaint

Your rights and things you can do if you have any issues with your Apple Health Managed Care Plan. #5113EN

Billing and Medicaid (Apple Health)

Questions and answers about billing for services Medicaid covers. Read this if your medical provider didn't bill Medicaid for services when you think it should have. Includes sample letters you can use to try to resolve the situation. #5112EN

Key Medicaid Standards as of July 2023

The table shows Medicaid eligibility and other standards in effect as of 7/1/2023.

The Medically Needy "Spenddown" Program: Medicaid for Adults 65 and Older or Disabled Who Don't Get SSI

The Medically-Needy (MN) program helps pay medical expenses for certain people who are 65 or older, and for certain younger disabled people. It is a program for people who do not get Medicaid coverage that comes with a cash grant from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), General Assistance, or another public assistance program. #5104EN

Medicare and Hospital Discharges

If you get Medicare, and have to get inpatient hospital care, read this to learn about your rights when the hospital decides it is time to discharge you. #5212EN

Medicare Information for 2023

Deductibles, Premiums & Co-payments for Parts A and B

Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying For Medicare Costs

If you’re on Medicare, you may qualify for help with Medicare premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing. There are four programs that can help. #5210EN

Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State

The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for. #5172EN

My long-term care facility wants to discharge me.

Read this to learn what your rights are when the long-term care facility you are living in doesn't want you to live there anymore. #5602EN

Questions and Answers on Medicaid for Nursing Home Residents

Medicaid is a government program that pays for medical services including nursing home care. It is administered by DSHS -- the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. To receive Medicaid payment for nursing home care, you must meet the financial eligibility requirements described in this publication. Also, you must need the care provided in a nursing home. #5170EN

Question and Answers on Applications for Long-Term Care Services and Supports

People who need help paying for long-term services and supports (LTSS) often wonder when they should file an application for assistance from the Home and Community Services Division (HCS) of the Department of Social and Health Services. This pamphlet discusses the timing of the application process. #5106EN

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