Medicaid comprises state public assistance programs to persons who are unable to pay for health care. Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act provides matching federal funds for financing state Medicaid programs. Learn more about Medicaid eligibility in the articles, columns, radio shows, blog posts and videos.
Property Rights Under a Conservatorship
Property Rights Under a Conservatorship: Are there any? Q: A conservator has taken over my aunt's house that I have lived in for almost 30 years. I had power of attorney for 20 years but my name has never been on the deed to the home. The home has a $10,000 mortgage on it. If [...]
Will Selling My Mom’s House Affect Her Medicaid?
Medicaid can penalize you for selling assets, like a second home, for less than they're worth. An attorney can help find the best solution for you and your family. Q: My parents own two homes, one is their primary residence, and the other belonged to my mother’s parents which she received upon their death. Both [...]
Five Tips for Finding and Paying for Assisted Living
Many seniors (or their adult children) have to confront the reality that they can no longer live independently in their home. Moving into an assisted living community may be an attractive option, but choosing—and paying for—the right facility can seem overwhelming. The move to assisted living requires careful planning. It’s important to ensure you’re getting [...]
Property Seizure by Medicaid to Pay Medical Bill
Property seizure by Medicaid to pay medical bill is possible if homeowner is delinquent on payments with no other assets. Medicaid can seize property to pay medical bills. Seniors needing assistance to pay medical bills may receive Medicaid coverage. Seniors with funds are expected to pay medical bills or face property seizure for Medicaid. Medicaid can seize property and other assets to pay for outstanding medical bills.
Quit Claim Deed And Medicaid Lookback Rule
If an elderly relative owns a home and quit claims it to you before going into a nursing home the home may be at risk for the Medicaid lookback rule. The Medicaid lookback rule may allow the government to try to recover medical costs by selling an asset such as a home. How does Medicaid treat quit claim deeds? Discover what documentation to gather to protect the home.
Estate Planning May Include Quit Claim Deed Reversal
When you sign a quit claim deed to give a property to your children, your children will have the original cost basis of the property. The original cost basis may result in your children having to pay higher taxes when they go to sell the property. If your children want to sell your home and give you the proceeds to support yourself they'll first have to pay taxes due on the sale. Learn how the taxes on such a home sale would be calculated and whether the sale affects Medicaid benefits. Timely estate planning can help you avoid these kinds of dilemmas.
Medicaid Lookback Period Could Reverse Home Transfer
A daughter asks about her father's eligibility for Medicaid after he transfers his home to her. Will his eligibility for Medicaid be affected by the transfer of his real estate wealth? Find out about eligibility for Medicaid and the Medicaid lookback period.
Medicaid Lookback Period
The Medicaid lookback period is 5 years. Any changes made to assets within 5 years of applying for Medicaid could come back to haunt you. Medicaid creditors are able to look at any transfers of property made during that time.
New Website For Helpful Elder Law Advice
I've discovered a great new website with updated information on issues relating to elder law, such as wills, trusts, power of attorney for health care...
Paying For Long Term Care With Property
A trust can be used to shelter assets and give ownership to the trustees of the property, or other assets. However, if the previous owner goes into nursing home care soon after the trust is set up, it can be undone by the state to pay for the original owner's care. While using cash or other assets to pay for long-term care isn't as appealing as having Medicaid pick up the bill, that's what assets are there for.