Updated Medicaid and VA Numbers for 2019

Happy New Year! The beginning of the new year usually brings with it changes to Social Security payments as well as the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and benefit amounts for VA Aid and Attendance. This year, the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for those receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is welcome news for the 48 million older adults collecting retirement benefits and about 20 million disabled individuals who have only seen small (if any) COLA increases in the last 10 years. This is the biggest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) since 2012.

On average, recipients will see about $39 more in each check, and this year’s increase will actually result in more money for the beneficiaries. In previous years, small increases in Social Security were offset by rising Medicare premiums, which are typically deducted from benefit payments. But for 2019, Medicare Part B premiums are going up by $1.50. Also, the co-pay for skilled nursing home days is only $170.50 for 2019 (up from $167.50/day in 2018).

The COLA changes for Social Security impact Medicaid eligibility as well as VA benefit amounts. Here are the updated numbers for 2019:

You can download our latest Elder Law Quick Facts for an easy-to-print reference. Click here to learn more about Nursing Home Medicaid.

To learn more please visit our website or contact our office at (404) 843-0121 or info@hurleyeclaw.com