Can I Qualify for Medicaid to Cover Long-Term Care?

Justin, My husband has recently been admitted to a nursing home, and I’ve heard Medicaid might help with the costs. How do we know if he qualifies? – Susan

Susan, Medicaid can be a vital resource for families facing the high costs of nursing home care, but qualifying for benefits can be complicated. Here’s an overview to help you understand how it works:

1. Medicaid has strict income limits for applicants. In Arkansas, the income limit for long-term care is around $2,900 per month. If your husband’s income exceeds this amount, planning strategies may still be available to help him qualify.
2. Medicaid also imposes limits on countable assets. For a single applicant, the limit is $2,000 in countable assets. However, as a spouse, you’re entitled to keep certain assets, like your home, one vehicle, and a portion of your combined assets known as the “Community Spouse Resource Allowance.”
3. If your husband’s assets and your resource allowance exceed Medicaid’s limits, you might need to spend down those assets to qualify. This doesn’t mean you must waste your resources. An elder law attorney can help you structure a plan to protect as much as possible while meeting eligibility rules.
4. Medicaid reviews financial transactions for the five years before your husband’s application. Gifts or transfers during this period may trigger penalties, delaying eligibility. Avoid making transfers without consulting an attorney.

Qualifying for Medicaid doesn’t have to mean losing everything you’ve worked for. With proper planning, it’s often possible to protect your home, savings, and other assets while ensuring your husband gets the care he needs.

At my firm, we specialize in navigating these rules and creating tailored strategies to help families like yours. Whether it’s using legal tools like irrevocable trusts, implementing spend-down strategies, or addressing penalties tied to the look-back period, we’ll help you every step of the way.

Visit our website, ElrodFirm.com, to learn more, or call to schedule a no-charge strategy session. We’ll help you explore your options and guide you through the Medicaid process with confidence.