Medicaid and Same Sex Couples
Since I wrote about the issue of same sex partnerships and Medicaid 4 years ago in this blog (February 1, 2010), much has happened in the area of same sex marriage. Last fall, the United States Supreme Court struck down a 1996 federal law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
New Jersey Finally Updates Medicaid Divisor
As most people know, in order to qualify for Medicaid, one must have no more than $2000 in countable assets. But to get under that limit you cannot simply transfer assets out of your name, or gift them. That’s because Medicaid imposes a penalty – a waiting period actually –
The Difference between Obamacare and Long Term Care
I am often questioned about how Obamacare has affected long term care and Medicaid. My answer is that it really hasn’t at all because mostly Obamacare addresses this country’s health insurance problem. The Medicaid programs that pay for long term care haven’t changed as a result of the Affordable Care
Think the State will Help You? Think Again
For as long as I can remember, I have explained to clients that although Medicaid covers long term care in non-nursing home settings under what is now known as the Global Options program, it is very difficult to qualify and even if you can meet the requirements, more times than
When Disputing a Bill can Cause You to Lose Medicaid (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about Sheila’s call. Her husband Sam needs nursing home care and they have very little to spend down, approximately $33,000. Sheila would be able to keep the rest, not a whole lot for her to live on. But, she would need to act quickly and
When Disputing a Bill Can Cause You to Lose Medicaid
So many ways to get tripped up by the New Jersey Medicaid process. Here’s another one. Sheila called us because her husband was in a nursing home with very little money to spend down. Combined, she and her husband, Sam, had less than $75,000. Sheila first called towards the beginning of
What to Do When You Get a Medicaid Estate Recovery Letter (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about Joe’s problem with Medicaid. After his Dad died he received a Medicaid estate recovery letter from the State of New Jersey looking to recoup $150,000 in benefits. He was not happy when I explained to him that under Medicaid rules they are owed that
What to Do When You Get a Medicaid Estate Recovery Letter
Joe called us because he received a letter from Medicaid looking for money. Dad had been on Medicaid for 3 years before he passed away. New Jersey was looking to recoup benefits it paid out on Dad’s behalf to the tune of approximately $150,000. Joe received what is called
Marriage and Medicaid (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing George’s dad and step-mother. Dad married Rita 5 years ago and now she needs nursing home care. Are Dad’s assets protected or must he spend them down towards Rita’s care? Even though Rita came to the marriage with few assets and they’ve been together only a
Tax Fraud or Medicaid Penalty? Part 2
Last week we were discussing Joe’s problem. His brother Jim had been using Dad’s account to buy and sell Jim’s investments, presumably because having Dad pay the tax instead of Jim was more beneficial. However, what happens when Dad applies for Medicaid? Medicaid will definitely question the $500,000 in assets transferred