Local Medicaid Planning That Protects What Your Family Has Built
When a parent or spouse needs nursing home care, the financial stakes are immediate. Olsen Law Office handles Medicaid planning as part of an integrated elder law and estate planning practice rooted in St. Tammany Parish, serving families throughout the parish and Mandeville. Clients work directly with our attorney, receiving personalized guidance rather than a generic checklist.
Louisiana’s Medicaid rules interact with the state’s civil law tradition, community property system, and succession laws in ways that differ substantially from other states. That makes local, Louisiana-specific legal guidance essential.
If your family is facing long-term care questions right now, don’t wait. Call Olsen Law Office at (985) 256-3553 to schedule a consultation. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available on request.
What Long-Term Care Actually Costs in Louisiana
Nursing home care in Louisiana typically runs between $7,000 and $10,000 per month or more. Medicare covers only short-term rehabilitation stays, generally up to 100 days, and doesn’t pay for ongoing nursing home care. Without a plan, those costs fall directly on the family.
A prolonged nursing home stay can deplete joint savings and leave a surviving spouse with little to live on. Medicaid is the primary program that covers long-term nursing home care for those who qualify. For families who haven’t planned, private pay is the only alternative.
Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility: What Families Need to Know
To qualify for nursing home Medicaid in Louisiana, a single applicant must have income under $2,982 per month and countable assets under $2,000, and must require a nursing facility level of care. Louisiana uses a Special Income Level rather than a hard income cap. Applicants whose income exceeds that threshold aren’t automatically disqualified; they may qualify through the state’s Medically Needy Spend-Down Program, which allows excess income to be applied toward monthly nursing facility costs. These thresholds adjust annually, so contact our firm for current figures.
Countable assets include:
Bank and investment accounts
IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts
Additional real estate beyond the primary home
Cash-value life insurance above the exemption threshold
Exempt assets generally include:
The primary residence, subject to equity limits and occupancy conditions
One vehicle
Personal belongings and household furnishings
Irrevocable burial funds and qualifying life insurance policies
Louisiana enforces a 60-month lookback period. Asset transfers below fair market value during that window can trigger a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. Exceeding the thresholds at the time of application doesn’t mean a family has no options. It means legal planning is needed.
Medicaid Planning Strategies for St. Tammany Parish Families
The right strategy depends on whether planning begins years in advance or in response to an immediate care situation. Advance planning generally preserves more assets and more options. Crisis planning, available even when nursing home admission is imminent, still offers meaningful tools.
Spousal Protections
When one spouse enters a nursing home, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) lets the at-home spouse retain a share of the couple’s combined countable assets. In 2025, that amount is up to $157,920. The community spouse’s own income isn’t counted toward the institutionalized spouse’s eligibility, and a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance may protect additional income as well. These figures are subject to annual adjustment.
Irrevocable Trusts & Asset Conversion
An irrevocable trust, established well before a Medicaid application, can remove assets from the countable estate while preserving family wealth for future generations. Under Louisiana’s civil law tradition, how assets are titled and transferred matters directly, and community property rules shape which planning options are available. When crisis planning is the starting point, available tools may include purchasing exempt assets, paying down debt, caregiver agreements, and Medicaid-compliant annuities.
Medicaid Estate Recovery
The primary home is generally exempt from Medicaid’s asset limit while a qualifying spouse or dependent lives there, but it may be subject to estate recovery after the recipient’s death. Without proper planning, the state may seek reimbursement from the estate. Addressing this risk is part of any complete Medicaid plan.
How We Work with St. Tammany Parish Families
Olsen Law Office handles Medicaid planning alongside trusts, trust administration, interdiction, and succession, all under one local roof. When a Medicaid plan needs to work with an existing will, power of attorney, or advance directive, we address those documents together rather than in isolation. Families who haven’t yet established powers of attorney may need those in place before or alongside the Medicaid plan itself.
Our practice includes familiarity with the 22nd Judicial District Court and local resources such as the St. Tammany Council on Aging. Whether a family is dealing with an immediate care situation or thinking years ahead, we build a step-by-step plan tailored to their circumstances and keep them informed at every stage.
Start Your Medicaid Plan Before You Need It
The earlier planning begins, the more tools are available. If your family is facing nursing home costs now or wants to protect assets before a care need arises, we’re ready to help. We serve clients throughout St. Tammany Parish and Mandeville, with consultations available by phone or through our online contact form.
Lindsey is a lifelong resident of the Northshore, having graduated from Fontainebleau High School. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University, and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During her time spent at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, she was a student practitioner in the Family Law Section of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.
When my father passed away. We reached out to Lindsey Olsen to do his succession. It was a very difficult time for my mother, brother, and I. She was incredibly patient and professional. All our questions were answered and the process was as smooth as possible. She proved to be reliable, trustworthy and honest. We will definitely use her services again.
Cheraine
“I am so grateful for her services.”
Lindsey has such a calm and empathetic demeanor. She offered so much emotional support for my family and I while remaining focused on our best interest at all times, she explains everything in detail, and is readily available to answer any of my questions. Lindsey is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and to the point. I am so grateful for her services.
Amanda
“She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process.”
Lindsey Olsen provided an excellent service and put her vast knowledge of family and estate planning on full display. She is a true professional and made all of the concerning legal matters regarding our wills and continuing tutorship for our special needs son a walk in the park. She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process. We enjoyed working with Lindsey and certainly recommend her to other prospective clients.
