If you’re 55 or over, Medicaid can come back after you’re dead and bill your estate for ordinary health-care expenses.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2...ryxml.html

Nothing in life is really free in the end.

Most states have been doing this for years.

If your relative accepts Medicaid and if they have property, make sure they quick claim or sign the property over in a timely manner. In TN, you have to do that within 5 years.

(12-17-2013 10:24 PM)maximus Wrote:  Most states have been doing this for years.

If your relative accepts Medicaid and if they have property, make sure they quick claim or sign the property over in a timely manner. In TN, you have to do that within 5 years.

You should add "5 years before they apply for Medicaid." That is the crux of this article.

Medicaid qualifying rules have changed so people with some modest assets, who have had income loss, are now qualified for Medicaid.

Based on needing health insurance due to the ACA, these same people are currently signing up for Medicaid thinking it's free insurance, totally unaware of the rule that their assets can be used to pay for their health care expenses.

These folks can't divest of their assets now because it is too late. They would've had to divest 5 years ago to avoid the state's right to use the equity in the assets to pay their health care bills.

I posted this yesterday. To me, the problem is that NOW, with Medicaid eligibility expanded under Obamacare, you have people that DO have some assets but a lower income who are unaware of this.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-667749.html

In all honesty, when you are in a situation where the government is paying all of your Medical Costs, is it fair that you would keep assets? This isn't new. I know that about 20 years ago, my grandfather lived with my mom for 7+ years when he became unable to live independently, otherwise - you are required to sell all assets to pay for care, and when you're destitute - Medicaid covers the rest.

Most states are doing a 7 year look-back on transfered assets now. I work with Medicare insurance and meet with plenty of Medicaid recipients. The recipient is aware of the way the Medicaid system works with filing claims against real property and assets, but often times the children and relatives aren't.
Long term care insurance can help protect assets in states that participate in the partnership program. If an individual has a long term care plan that provides for say, $250000 in care, then even if the recipient uses all of that $250000 and goes on Medicaid, $250000 in assets will be shielded from the Medicaid spenddown and from having leins put against it.

There are different levels of Medicaid assistance based on an individual's income level. To even receive the minimal amount of help which includes drug plan and part b premium payments, an individual's income is so low that in the vast majority of instances their assets are negligible.

Prudent planning will almost always eliminate the chance of going onto Medicaid.

(12-19-2013 01:19 PM)200yrs2late Wrote:  Most states are doing a 7 year look-back on transfered assets now. I work with Medicare insurance and meet with plenty of Medicaid recipients. The recipient is aware of the way the Medicaid system works with filing claims against real property and assets, but often times the children and relatives aren't.
Long term care insurance can help protect assets in states that participate in the partnership program. If an individual has a long term care plan that provides for say, $250000 in care, then even if the recipient uses all of that $250000 and goes on Medicaid, $250000 in assets will be shielded from the Medicaid spenddown and from having leins put against it.

There are different levels of Medicaid assistance based on an individual's income level. To even receive the minimal amount of help which includes drug plan and part b premium payments, an individual's income is so low that in the vast majority of instances their assets are negligible.

Yep. Most people on full Medicaid don't own much more than their clothes.