Over the last few months, we’ve addressed the top questions about nursing home Medicaid for couples. Today, let’s take a closer look at Medicaid rules for individuals by focusing on the income rules. Medicaid is a means-tested, government-provided health insurance benefit. It is the largest…
Tag: Medicaid
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples - Getting Help with Medicaid Applications
Applying for Nursing Home Medicaid can be confusing and stressful. We are committed to helping our clients get the care they need and securing the benefits they deserve while also reducing/minimizing the burden as much as possible. We complete the initial application, submit the complete…
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples – Asking for an Increase in Spousal Diversion
Here’s a great question that we received just the other day: My mom lives in an assisted living community and my dad lives in a nursing home. If my dad goes on Medicaid, will she be allowed to keep any of his income? Yes, Medicaid…
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples - Estate Planning
Most of our married clients come to our office with existing estate planning documents. They have Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives for Health Care that name the spouse as a beneficiary or responsible party. When a couple is dealing with the…
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples – Protecting the House from Medicaid Recovery
A nursing home resident can own a home and still qualify for Medicaid. The home, however, can be subject to Medicaid estate recovery after the resident dies. When Medicaid helps pay for nursing home care, the state must attempt to recoup from the beneficiary’s estate…
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples – Rental Properties
Here’s a great question that we received just the other day: My wife has moved into a nursing home. In addition to our home, we own two rental properties. Our income is good, but it is not enough to pay for the nursing home. We…
Nursing Home Medicaid–What About IRAs?
For many individuals, retirement savings are their largest asset. And when facing nursing home care, the rules about Medicaid and IRAs can be very confusing. So, how do IRAs (and pensions, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, etc.) affect Medicaid eligibility? Will a large IRA disqualify a nursing home…
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples --The Medicaid Look Back Does Not Apply to transfers to Spouses
Many have heard of the Medicaid Look Back, but few fully understand this aspect of Medicaid. When someone applies for Medicaid, they are asked about any gifts or transfers of assets for the 5 years (or 6o months) prior to applying for Medicaid. This is…
What Health Insurance Doesn't Cover
Health insurance doesn’t cover everything. Listed below are some of the most common health procedures along with reasons why they most likely won’t be covered by your health insurance. Travel vaccines, if going abroad, are not covered because travel is not medically necessary so therefore…
New Developments for LGBT Benefits
LGBT people need to be aware of recent developments that change how Medicare and Medicaid work for them. First, the Supreme Court’s legalization of same sex marriage in all states changed how Medicare and Medicaid evaluate the eligibility of same sex spouses for both…