Alex What happens when your spouse goes into a nursing home?
When your spouse goes to a nursing home, you can retain some income and assets and still qualify for Medicaid. Instead, Medicaid has a set of rules called “spousal protections” that allow the spouse of a nursing home resident to keep enough income and assets to live on.
Is the nursing home spouse eligible for Medicaid?
Fortunately, Medicaid rules allow the so-called “community spouse” to retain a certain amount of the couple’s income and assets while deeming the nursing home spouse eligible to receive the high-level care they need. What Is Spousal Impoverishment?
Can a healthy spouse pay for nursing home care?
You, as the healthy spouse, have a monthly income of $2,800. Therefore, your income is $100 / month over the MMMNA, and your spouse cannot supplement your income with his or her own income. However, you can keep all your income and your spouse will have their nursing home care paid for by Medicaid.
When to transfer assets to your spouse for Medicaid?
Transferring assets to your spouse can make sense once you enter a nursing home and want to get Medicaid eligibility. When a spouse faces the need for nursing home care, the couple should consider retitling assets to prepare for Medicaid eligibility.
How does Medicaid work for a nursing home?
An applicant is expected to pay all their income (less certain deductions) to the nursing home since Medicaid foots the bill for their room, board, utilities and care. Aside from personal items, such as clothing, snacks, toiletries and other incidentals, everything is covered, so there is no need for them to retain this income.
When do spouse need Medicaid to pay for a nursing home?
When a spouse faces the need for nursing home care, the couple should consider retitling assets to prepare for Medicaid eligibility. This article explores how and why assets should be retitled. Since Medicaid is a needs-based program, there are limits on the value of assets that a Medicaid applicant and his or her spouse may own.
What happens if my husband goes to a nursing home?
If Medicaid pays for your husband’s care in the nursing home, you will not have to contribute anything from your income towards his cost of care. You will also be entitled to keep a portion of his income. Medicaid will use a formula to determine your income needs.
How does Medicaid work for a married couple?
For married elderly seniors, it is common that one spouse requires long-term care, whether it is in-home assistance via a Medicaid waiver or nursing home care, while the other spouse is able to live in the home unassisted.
Can a community spouse pay for a nursing home?
Although your income is not a factor in your spouse’s eligibility, a few states require the community spouse to contribute a portion of their income towards the cost of the nursing home care, IF their income exceeds a certain amount.