2017 Medicaid Income Limit For Home
Care (No Change from 2016)
Single
Person receiving home care: $825 (+$20 exemption)
Couple both receiving
home care: $1,209 (+$20 exemption)
*Individuals who exceed these limits may
be eligible under the Surplus Income Program (giving it to Medicaid). Surplus income (over $825) is contributed to the
cost of care, unless a 'Pooled Income Trust" is established. A "Pooled Income Trust" can shelter income
so that it may be used for expenses not covered by the Medicaid program.
**NEW Married person option - if married and only one is applying for Medicaid home care - a couple
may be permitted to keep up to $3,312 of their combined income each month once the applicant is accepted into the
MLTC Medicaid (this will require an analysis of the couples monthly income).
2017 Medicaid Income Limit For Nursing Home
$50
per month. All surplus income must be given to the nursing home, unless there is a well spouse living in the community
who may be allowed to retain a portion of their institutionalized spouses income.
2017 Medicaid Resource Limit For Home Care (No Change from 2016)
Single Person: $14,850
Couple, both on Medicaid home care: $21,750
**New Limit for well spouse - well non-applicant spouse may be permitted to keep $74,820
(protected from Medicaid claim) - this will require an analysis of the couples total assets.
Exempt Resources
- Pre-paid funeral (no limit on value) is
exempt: must be in a special contract with the funeral home;
- Car and Personal Effects
are exempt;
- Home remains exempt as long as the applicant or their spouse contine to reside in
the home (max. home value of $828,000 ) *(must be your primary residence).
*While exempt for eligibility purposes, a home may be subject to claims or liens by Medicaid, unless proper
planning is put in place prior to the death of the Medicaid recipient.
** Note: Placing your
home in a "Living Revocable Trusts" will not prevent Medicaid from placing a lien on the home should a person
need to receive nursing home Medicaid coverage.
- Retirement Accounts (IRA-401K) of the applicant
and the applicant's spouse. The applicant's retirement accounts must all be paying out the maximum allowable distribution
based upon life expectancy. (note: income from these accounts is not exempt and will be considered countable
income)
Exempt Income
Certain
income is not counted for eligibility purposes.
- Restitution payments from Nazi persecution
- Income diverted into an approved "Pooled Income Trust" (home care only)
Transfer Penalties for gifting your assets apply to nursing home care only
There are only transfer penalties imposed for nursing home coverage, there are no
penalties for community home care services. Therefore, you may transfer your assets this month and become Medicaid eligible
the next month.
2017 Spousal Allowances
The non-applicant spouse is permitted to retain the following amounts when their spouse enters a nursing home with
Medicaid coverage:
Well spouse Income : $3,022.50 per month from their combined
income -- if this amount is exceeded, then Medicaid may request monthly income contributions from the well spouse;
Well Spouse Resources: Between $74,820 and $120,900 (approximate maximum) --
if this amount is exceeded, then Medicaid may seek reimbursement from the well spouse holding the money.
Medicaid Estate Recovery Rights
Medicaid always retains the
right to seek repayment for all services rendered to a Medicaid applicant from their probate estate; they may also seek reimbursement
from a legally responsible relative (spouse). Therefore, it is important to avoid leaving any assets in the applicant's
name that might go through probate upon their passing.
Pharmacy
Coverage Under Medicaid
Once on Medicaid, all pharmacy coverage will be handled
by "Medicare Part D". Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit available to everyone with Medicare.
It has special importance to people with Medicare and New York State Medicaid because Medicare Part D replaces
Medicaid in paying for most of your prescription drugs.
Under the Medicare Part D prescription
benefit almost all of your drugs costs will be paid for by Medicare instead of Medicaid. You will
get prescription drug coverage from Medicare and pay a small Medicare copayment for each prescription. If
you currently receive NYS Medicaid and you do not join a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may lose all your NYS Medicaid
benefits.
When you become eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid you will automatically be assigned
to a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to make sure you don't miss a day of coverage. You can also enroll in a plan of your
own choosing that may better meet your prescription drug needs. Information about available plans and the “Medicare
& You” handbook is available from Medicare. Be sure to read this information to understand all the changes.
For more information, click on or call:
- Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227)
TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048
Or
for free personalized health insurance counseling contact:
