Medicaid Planning
Question: Will I be eligible for Medicaid if I transfer my assets?
The transfer of assets will create a Medicaid disqualification period. This period is determined by dividing the value of the property transferred by an amount equal to approximately $300 per day (this amount changes each year) or $9,300 per month, which is the Commonwealth’s estimate of the average monthly cost of private nursing home care. For example, if $60,000 was transferred to a child, the transferor would not be eligible for Medicaid until the expiration of approximately 200 days.
With proper planning, however, the maximum Medicaid disqualification period will not exceed 60 months even if a large amount of assets are transferred to an individual. It is extremely important, however, that you do not apply for Medicaid until 61 months after the date of the transfer. Also, you may consider the wild-card disabled child and caretaker child exceptions to avoid any penalty!
Question: How does the 60 month look back period work?
There is a 60 month look back period when making transfers to any other individuals beside your spouse. There is also a 60 month look back period if the transfer is to a trust.
Question: How do I handle the ownership my home?
Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, you will be forced to use home equity to pay for Medicaid if such home equity is above $955,000 (2022 indexed for inflation). However, the new regulations also included a provision exempting over-equity homes where undue hardship will occur
Question: What happens if my spouse goes into a nursing home?
If you or your spouse is admitted to a nursing home, the at-home spouse may retain assets not to exceed $137,400 (2022) (increases yearly). You will be told that you must spend the excess of your countable assets. This information is incorrect. You do not necessarily need to spend this amount and there are planning opportunities which will protect these assets from the cost of long-term care.
The first technique involves the use of an annuity. Once the amount of excess resources are determined, this amount should be transferred to the “community” (or stay-at- home) spouse who is then permitted to annuitize this over a period not to exceed the life expectancy of the community spouse. The institutionalized spouse then will be eligible for Medicaid immediately. However, under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the beneficiary of the annuity will have to be the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As such, we want the annuity purchased to be a short as possible.
Question: If my spouse enters a nursing home, does the healthy spouse get to keep his/her own income? or any of the institutionalized spouses income?
The general rule is that the healthy spouse may keep all of his /her income. In addition, the Division of Medical Assistance required that the healthy spouse have income at least equal to what the Division of Medical Assistance refers to as the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA). This amount is currently $2,288.75.00 (updated 2023) per month. In the event that the healthy spouses’ income is below this MMMNA then the healthy spouse may request a fair hearing in an effort to either have some excess assets or at least some of the institutionalized spouse’s income allocated to the healthy spouse in an effort to increase the healthy spouse’s income to the MMMNA.
Question: Should I hire an Attorney to help me complete and file my medicaid application?
Yes, Medicaid is a very complicated area of the law. There is a wide range of statutes, rules, and regulations that govern the Medicaid program. These laws and rules change over time. Also, the Federal laws are combined with each state’s laws resulting in rules that are different in each state.
An Attorney can help you:
- Plan for long term care costs
- Understand the eligibility requirements
- Determine if Medicaid is needed, and if so, complete and file an application correctly and timely
- Follow through with all necessary legal steps and improve your chances of receipt of Medicaid assistance.
Question: If I am still healthy, can I Protect my assets from a nursing home legally?
Yes, but you need to plan 5 years in advance. There are many techniques, including the use of Irrevocable Trusts.