Medicaid question

[Torellian]

What is the name of your state? WI

Lately, I've been interested in what would happen to my house if my Dad ever ended up in a nursing home because his name and mine are both on the title of my house. I was advised I could lose my house because of that because Medicaid would require all of his assets to be used up (including his ownership of my house) before Medicaid started to pay. Since it's Medicaid that requires this, and not the nursing home, it brings up another issue.....

I myself am on Medicaid and SSI due to what is called a mental disability. But do I still have my home only because Medicaid might not know about it? The requirement of SSI is that I don't have more than $2,000 in cash assets, but my home and car and personal belongings aren't included in that figure. I believe Medicaid states that amount must be under $3,000. But does that include my home? If so, I might be in a really sticky situation here. Can someone shed some light on this?

Basically, my question is: Is the "You must use up all your assets" rule only for people who need Medicaid when they're in a nursing home? Or does it apply to EVERYONE on Medicaid?

 

[astramist]

Estate Recovery

As far as I know, your house and car are not considered part of the assets that you must spend down to receive Medicaid.

As far as Medicaid paying for a nursing home you should go to your state website and look for information on estate recovery. In my state (PA) the program allows the state to recover payments to a nursing home AFTER the nursing home resident dies. They can only recover back 5 years of payments. If both of your names are on the house, I believe that they can only go after half of the value of the house. I am not sure what they can do as long as you are living in the house.

Good luck.

 

[Torellian]

Thank you. I guess I'll give Medicaid a call and see what they have to say. I was afraid to do that before because I thought they might take my house as soon as they found out my name and knew where I lived. I figured it was best to ask here first.