Here is How Emics Elder Care Can Help Families in Long Island, Queens & NYC Navigate the Medicaid Process
When it comes to caring for an aging loved one, understanding Medicaid is one of the most important—and confusing—steps in the journey. Families across Long Island, Queens, and New York City often ask:
“What’s the difference between Community Medicaid and Chronic Medicaid—and how do I know which one is right for my situation?”
At Emics Elder Care, we help families in places like Melville, Massapequa, Westbury, Uniondale, Garden City, Syosset, Douglaston, and Manhattan make sense of the red tape and get the care their loved ones need—fast.
What Is Chronic Medicaid?
Chronic Medicaid (also known as Institutional Medicaid) is for individuals who need long-term care in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. This type of Medicaid is commonly used by families in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Westchester when an elderly parent can no longer safely remain at home.
Chronic Medicaid covers:
- Skilled nursing home care
- Room and board in the facility
- Medications, therapies, and support staff
To qualify, individuals must meet strict financial and medical guidelines, and their finances are reviewed through a five-year look-back period to identify any asset transfers.
What Is Community Medicaid?
Community Medicaid is designed for seniors who need in-home care or assistance in the community but do not yet require full-time facility care. This is an ideal option for families in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and towns like Richmond Hill, Douglaston, and Garden City, who want their loved ones to age in place with proper support.
Community Medicaid can help cover:
- Home health aides and personal care
- Adult day programs
- Home-delivered meals
- Medical transportation
Unlike Chronic Medicaid, Community Medicaid does not have a five-year look-back period in New York (although changes are on the horizon, and early planning is wise).
Real-Life Example: A Family in Massapequa
Let’s say your father, living in Massapequa, is starting to forget medications and struggles with daily tasks like cooking and bathing. He wants to stay at home. Community Medicaid would provide a paid home health aide several hours a day, allowing him to maintain independence safely.
Now imagine he suffers a stroke and requires full-time skilled care in a nursing home in Syosset. At this point, the family would need to apply for Chronic Medicaid to cover the cost of long-term facility care.
These situations happen every day across Melville, Uniondale, Westbury, and the Bronx—and timing is everything when it comes to Medicaid applications.
How Emics Elder Care Helps New York Families Navigate Medicaid
Medicaid applications in New York City, Nassau County, and Suffolk County can be overwhelming. There’s a maze of forms, documentation requirements, income thresholds, and eligibility deadlines. And getting it wrong can mean losing out on months of needed care.
At Emics Elder Care, we specialize in helping families across the five boroughs and Long Island:
- Understand which Medicaid program fits their situation
- Legally protect assets while qualifying
- Gather and prepare all necessary paperwork
- Submit Medicaid applications correctly and on time
- Communicate with county DSS offices to avoid delays or denials
Whether you’re in Douglaston, Garden City, Melville, or Manhattan, our team walks with you every step of the way—so your family member receives the care they need, with less stress and fewer surprises.
Serving Families Across Long Island, Queens & the NYC Metro Area
We work with clients across:
- Nassau County: Garden City, Massapequa, Uniondale, Westbury, Syosset
- Suffolk County: Melville and surrounding towns
- Queens: Douglaston, Richmond Hill
- Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx
- Westchester County
- New York City and beyond
Let’s Make Medicaid Simpler
Don’t go through this process alone. Whether you’re trying to get home care through Community Medicaid or preparing for nursing home placement with Chronic Medicaid, Emics Elder Care can help.
Visit www.emicseldercare.com
Call 516-543-5330 to schedule a free consultation
Let us help you take the stress out of Medicaid—so you can focus on what matters most: your loved one’s care.