How to Qualify for Medicaid: Eligibility and Transfer Rules

Medicaid has strict asset rules that compel many applicants to spend down their assets before qualifying for coverage. It’s important to know what you can spend your money on without endangering Medicaid eligibility.

Medicaid 101

Transferring assets to qualify for Medicaid can make you ineligible for benefits for a period of time. Before making any transfers, you need to be aware of the consequences of transfers made during a lookback period.

Medicaid 101

While some residents may prefer nursing home care to living on their own, others would rather be independent. For residents who want to move out but need some assistance to live on their own, help may be available. ...

Medicaid 101

For most people, receiving an inheritance is something good, but for a nursing home resident on Medicaid, an inheritance may disqualify them from the benefits that pay for their long-term care services.

Medicaid 101

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision allowing states to use what is known as the "income-first" rule. Because of this decision, depending on the state, a community spouse of a Medicaid recipient could quickly be thrown into poverty...

Medicaid 101

Many middle-income people have too much money to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford a pricey long-term care insurance policy. ...

Medicaid 101

When you move into an assisted living complex, you expect to spend the rest of your days there. However, many assisted living residents suddenly find themselves facing eviction from their homes when their health deteriorates. ...

Elderlaw 101