Nursing Home Planning Attorney Denver
Meurer & Potter Law Office, Denver, Colorado
Nursing home care in Colorado costs between $9,000 and $12,000 per month. At that rate, a lifetime of savings can be exhausted in 2 to 3 years. Medicare covers only a portion of the first 100 days of skilled nursing care; after that, the full cost is borne by the family. Without a plan, you are choosing between your parents’ care and your family’s financial future.
At Meurer & Potter, P.C., our nursing home planning attorneys in Denver help families develop strategies that protect assets while ensuring access to quality care. We’ve been helping Colorado families navigate these decisions since 1991, and we understand both the legal strategies and the emotional weight of planning for a loved one’s long-term care.
Why Nursing Home Planning Matters
Most families don’t think about nursing home costs until a health crisis forces the issue. By that point, options are limited, and mistakes are expensive. Private-pay nursing home care at Colorado’s average rates depletes a $300,000 estate in roughly 2.5 years. Early planning—ideally five or more years before care is needed—gives you access to the full range of legal tools for protecting your assets.
Our nursing home planning includes evaluating long-term care insurance options and existing coverage, structuring assets to maximize Medicaid eligibility when care is eventually needed, creating powers of attorney that give your trusted agent legal authority to implement asset protection strategies if you become incapacitated, coordinating with your estate plan and asset protection plan to ensure all pieces work together, and exploring veterans benefits including Aid and Attendance for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses.
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care in Colorado
There are essentially four ways to pay for nursing home care: private pay from personal savings and income, long-term care insurance (if you have a policy), Medicaid (Health First Colorado) after meeting eligibility requirements, and Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses. Most families end up relying on Medicaid after private resources are exhausted. The question is how much of your estate you lose before you get there. Our job is to minimize that loss through legal, ethical planning strategies.
The Medicare Misconception
Many families assume Medicare will cover nursing home care. It does not—at least not for long. Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay, and even then, the patient is responsible for daily copays after day 20. Medicare does not cover custodial care—the ongoing, day-to-day assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility that most nursing home residents need. Once Medicare’s limited coverage ends, the family must pay out of pocket or qualify for Medicaid.
Worried about how to pay for a parent’s care? Call 303-991-3544. We’ll evaluate your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Planning
Insights to help you make informed decisions about nursing home planning.
Our FAQs offer practical guidance about nursing home planning. They are written to help you stay informed, not overwhelmed.
Skilled nursing care in Colorado currently costs between $9,000 and $12,000 per month, depending on the facility, location, and level of care. Assisted living is typically less expensive, ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per month, but may not provide the level of medical care some individuals require.
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a qualifying hospital stay. After day 20, the patient is responsible for daily copays. Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care, the ongoing daily assistance most nursing home residents need. Most families must rely on Medicaid or private funds for long-term care.
As early as possible. Colorado’s five-year Medicaid look-back period means that asset protection strategies are most effective when implemented years before care is needed. Waiting until a health crisis occurs significantly limits your options. If you or a parent is over 60, it’s time to start the conversation.
Yes, through strategies such as Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, beneficiary deeds, and spousal protections. Your primary residence is generally exempt from Medicaid eligibility counting while you or your spouse lives in it, but it may be subject to Medicaid estate recovery after death unless proper planning is in place.
Assisted living provides help with daily activities like meals, housekeeping, and medication management in a residential setting. Nursing home care (skilled nursing) provides 24-hour medical care under the supervision of licensed nurses. The level of care needed and the cost depend on the individual’s medical condition and functional abilities.
Yes. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits through the VA, which provide monthly payments to help cover long-term care costs. Eligibility depends on military service history, medical need, and financial criteria. Our attorneys handle the complete application process and coordinate VA benefits with Medicaid planning.