Medicaid Redeterminations – Part 4
In this week’s blog post I continue my discussion on Medicaid’s annual redetermination process and the changes that can cause problems with achieving a renewal. In the case of a married couple where only one spouse has been approved for Medicaid, the non-Medicaid or “community spouse” is entitled to keep a
Medicaid Redeterminations – Part 3
In this third post on Medicaid redeterminations, I explain changes that occur after Medicaid is approved that cause problems when it comes time for a Medicaid redetermination. One change is an expected or unexpected sum of money received by the Medicaid recipient. This could be because of an inheritance, personal injury settlement
Medicaid Redeterminations – Part 2
In last week’s post I began to discuss Medicaid redeterminations and how they have become more difficult than they once were. There are several reasons for this. 10 years ago New Jersey made changes to its Medicaid program that required certain applicants to utilize a qualified income trust. I’ve written about
Medicaid Redeterminations – Part 1
When I explain how Medicaid works, I cover the income and asset limits in the case of a single applicant as well as a married one. I also talk about the 5 year Medicaid look back and the Medicaid penalty. People typically ask me about the qualified income trust and Medicaid estate
2024 Medicaid Penalty Divisor
As I have written about frequently in this blog, many of the Medicaid numbers are updated annually. Most but not all are adjusted in lock step with Social Security’s cost of living adjustment (COLA). One Medicaid number that doesn’t adjust with Social Security is the Medicaid penalty divisor. That is the number by
2 Years Private Pay and Then Medicaid – Part 2
In my post last week, I told you about a son who called. His mom had been paying for care for almost 2 years at an assisted living facility (ALF). Thinking he was ready to apply for Medicaid benefits, he called our office for help. His mom, however, still owned real estate worth
The Medicaid Spend Down Scramble – Part 2
The Medicaid Spend Down Scramble - Part 2 In my blog post last week, I wrote about the rushed process of spending down assets to achieve Medicaid eligibility for one spouse without severely impoverishing the other non-Medicaid “community spouse”. While maximizing what that spouse can keep - what is known as exempt
The Medicaid Spend Down Scramble – Part 3
The Medicaid Spend Down Scramble - Part 3 In my blog post for this week, I finish the topic of the spend down process before Medicaid and why it is so important to the financial well being of the healthy non-Medicaid spouse. As I explained last week, maximizing what that spouse, known
The Medicaid Spend Down Scramble – Part 1
I have written in past blog posts about Medicaid’s 5 year look back and the need to be familiar with the transactions that Medicaid will be reviewing. We still, however, receive many calls where a quick spend down to Medicaid is necessary. In the case of a married couple where only one
2024 Medicaid Numbers
Last month in this blog I updated you on some of the new Social Security and Medicare numbers for 2024. The recently announced cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3.2% has resulted in a much smaller benefit increase than the past 2 years. Many other federal programs are tied to the Social