What Are the Rules for Medicaid Qualification (Part 2)? - Estate Recovery

What Are the Rules for Medicaid Qualification (Part 2)?

As in Part One of our series, your Medicaid planning advisor can best help you determine how the rules apply to your specific circumstances in your specific locality. Before you get into the specifics, however, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the general federal guidelines for Medicaid qualification that apply everywhere.

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ESTATE RECOVERY

What happens to a Medicaid recipient’s estate when he or she passes away? Like so much else, that depends on whether they have properly planned to protect it.

When a Medicaid recipient dies, the state may attempt to recover the benefits paid to that individual from his or her estate – that is a requirement under federal Medicaid law. However, the state cannot proceed with this recovery process if any of the following applies:

• if the recipient’s spouse is still living
• if the recipient has a child under age 21
• if the recipient has a child who is blind or disabled

Some states have expanded the scope of assets from which they can recover the cost of a Medicaid recipient’s care. Trusts are often used to protect your assets both during your life and after your death. A qualified Medicaid Planning Attorney can advise you on the many types of trusts available.

The first step in Medicaid planning is education. The more you know about how Medicaid works, the better you will be able to look out for the interests of your family. Check back, for additional information, as we continue our series - What Are the Rules for Medicaid Qualification?

The Cost of Long Term Care Means That Medicaid Can Apply to You, Even if You Currently Believe It Doesn’t

Questions? Contact us, we can help. 248-278-1511

This article, in our series regarding Medicaid qualification rules, by Michigan lawyer Nicole Wipp and the Family & Aging Law Center PLLC is not, and should not be construed as, legal advice. It is for general informational purposes only. To better understand how this legal concept can be applied to you, consult with an attorney.