Experienced, Compassionate Legal Guidance For The Issues Of Aging

Could your loved one benefit from equine therapy?

On Behalf of | Apr 14, 2022 | Medicaid Planning

Elderly loved ones often require care for sensitive and complicated issues like memory loss, speech problems and movement dysfunction. One therapy that could help treat these issues is equine movement therapy.

What is equine therapy?

The benefits of fostering a healthy, safe relationship with animals are well-documented. And horses are one type of animal that therapists use to help patients cope with serious mental and physical conditions. These therapies can involve:

  • Teaching someone to take care of a horse
  • Therapeutic riding programs
  • Learning programs to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder

Depending on a patient’s needs, a therapist could have them participate in these programs to help them rebuild skills, improve mobility, or provide emotional reassurance.

These programs can be highly enjoyable and give individuals the opportunity to receive care outside of a clinic setting. Further, parties may have to expend little or no physical energy, which means they can participate in the entire session rather than having to stop early due to fatigue.

Spending time with horses may be something that could benefit your elderly loved one, particularly if they are animal lovers or experience feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Seeking this option for your loved one

Knowing your loved one is getting the medical care and personal treatment they need as they get older can give you great peace of mind. Unfortunately, this may not always happen if Medicaid does not cover specific treatments.

Equine-assisted therapy is one such option that a loved one may not have access to due to something lawmakers call a miscategorization in the Medicaid billing manual. However, this could change if a bill to recategorize it passes

Lawmakers say equine-movement therapy is not currently available for Medicaid reimbursement unless patients file a waiver through the federal system. But reclassifying it under existing codes would make this therapy more accessible.

It will be interesting to see if this bill moves forward.

Navigating Medicaid issues

Medicaid can ensure parties receive crucial care and treatment, but there are complications with and shortcomings of the program. Parties can struggle with everything from qualifying for it while preserving family assets to receiving quality care. 

Often, these involve Colorado’s Medicaid laws and restrictions, so overcoming these with legal guidance can be wise.

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