Medicaid

Giving assets away during one’s lifetime is usually done for two reasons.  The first is to reduce the value of one’s estate to avoid estate taxes at death.  The second is to protect assets in the event one needs long-term care covered by Medicaid. The 2021 federal estate tax exemption is $11.7 million.  This means […]

Important changes to the Community Medicaid program in New York State were enacted in 2020. Not all of the changes have been immediate and the fate of others remains uncertain. For the time being, the program is being administered in a similar way to how it has been done in the past – but change […]

Given the changes to Community Medicaid, there are still a few unknowns regarding how New York State will handle certain issues. In April 2020, the State passed a new thirty-month lookback for all Community Medicaid applicants.  The law was written with an effective date of October 1, 2020.  This means any transfers or gifting from […]

*updated February 5, 2021 If the spouse living in the community executes a Spousal refusal form, the community spouse’s assets are not used in calculating the asset eligibility of the medicaid applicant.  If one spouse requires nursing home care, the community spouse does not need to spend down all his or her assets and become […]

What is Immediate Need Medicaid? Immediate need Medicaid is an expedited application process to receive long term care at home paid for by Medicaid. Unlike the standard Medicaid application process, which can take approximately 6 months to receive services, those applying for immediate need Medicaid tend to receive care at home within one month of […]

When both spouses need long term care, they can apply together for Community Medicaid provided that they qualify as a “dual applicant.” As a couple applying for Community Medicaid, the spouses cannot have more than $23,100.00 in total countable resources. This typically includes bank accounts, brokerage accounts, non-qualified annuities, stocks, bonds and cash value of […]

Community Medicaid, also known as homecare Medicaid, is not limited to care in one’s current home. A person is eligible for Community Medicaid so long as they reside in New York, do not require a skilled nursing facility, and meet the financial eligibility requirements. Applicants applying for Community Medicaid can have up to $15,750 in […]

When someone enters a nursing facility for long term placement, there are several ways the Chronic Medicaid program can treat the primary residence. Usually the primary residence is a “countable asset” for the Medicaid applicant and needs to be sold.  However, there are some exempt transfer and planning techniques that can preserve the primary residence. […]