Medicaid Planning In Blacklick
Long-term care is often a necessary yet costly endeavor. When the need for assistance arises, it’s crucial to have a strategy for covering these expenses. Medicaid planning offers a solution. Our Blacklick, Ohio, Medicaid planning attorney can guide you in qualifying for the program while safeguarding your assets. This way, you can preserve your wealth for your beneficiaries without compromising the quality of care you receive.
It’s important to start Medicaid planning at least five years before you’ll require care. Since you aren’t sure when that might be, it’s never too early to begin. Contact our Blacklick Medicaid planning lawyer today for a free consultation.
Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid will review your application to determine your eligibility. To be eligible, you must:
- Be disabled or 65 or older
- Meet the asset requirements
- Meet the income requirements
Your Ohio Medicaid planning lawyer can help you meet the income and asset requirements. With the right strategy, you can transfer the assets and income out of your estate while still benefiting from it.
Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
Many people opt for Medicaid asset protection trusts to qualify for benefits. Once assets are transferred into such a trust, they are no longer considered part of your estate, thereby not affecting the asset limit for Medicaid eligibility.
However, Medicaid enforces a five-year lookback period from the application date, during which any asset transfers are scrutinized and included in your estate assessment. Therefore, it is vital to consult with a Blacklick Medicaid planning attorney promptly to receive knowledgeable advice and initiate the estate planning process effectively.
Medicaid-Compliant Annuities
If annuities are a significant part of your income, it’s crucial to have a Central Ohio Medicaid planning lawyer assess their compliance with Medicaid rules. Without proper compliance, these funds may count toward your income and asset limits. Medicaid-compliant annuities must be non-transferable, fixed, and structured to last only for your lifetime.
Additionally, they require that the remaining funds be allocated to the state of Ohio upon your passing. Consulting with an attorney can help you effectively incorporate Medicaid-compliant annuities into your estate plan.
Income And Asset Limits
Income and asset limits may vary over time, so it is best to check with the Medicaid website for the most up-to-date information. However, as of 2021, you cannot make more than $2,382 a month or have more than $2,000 in assets to qualify for Medicaid as an individual. If both you and your spouse are applying, your income limit is $4,764 a month, and the asset limit is $3,000. Even if you are well over the limit, your Ohio Medicaid planning lawyer can help. Consult with a lawyer today to find out how an irrevocable trust and other strategies can help you qualify.
What’s Considered Income?
When assessing your financial situation, the government considers all forms of income, including pensions, social security, and stock dividends. If you’re uncertain about your total income, it’s wise to consult with an attorney. A lawyer can thoroughly review your finances to develop strategies to help you qualify for Medicaid effectively.
7 Medicaid Myths in Ohio
Myth 1: You Must Give Up All Your Assets to Qualify for Medicaid
Qualifying for Ohio Medicaid doesn’t mean you have to exhaust all your assets. While there are strict asset limits in place, a well-crafted Medicaid plan can help you legally protect your assets and still qualify for benefits.
With the help of our experienced Blacklick elder law attorney, you can preserve assets and avoid spend-downs and home liens, ensuring your assets remain yours to control. We know how much you have invested in your future and will help ensure that you — not the government – choose what happens to your assets.
Myth 2: Transferring Assets to Loved Ones Disqualifies You from Medicaid
Medicaid imposes strict rules on asset transfers, but with effective Medicaid planning strategies, you can navigate these regulations within the allowable time frame. This approach allows you to gain Medicaid eligibility while safeguarding your loved ones’ inheritance, ensuring peace of mind and financial security.
Ohio requires a five-year “look-back period,” meaning that transfers made within five years of your Medicaid application may incur penalties. That’s why it is never too early to start your Medicaid planning. A proactive approach ensures your preparedness and protection when you need long-term care.
Myth 3: You Must Sell Your Home to Qualify for Medicaid
Rest assured, the fear of losing your home to qualify for Medicaid is largely unfounded. Typically, Medicaid considers your primary residence an exempt asset, enabling you to keep your beloved home while still receiving benefits for long-term care. The key conditions are that the home’s equity must stay below a certain threshold, and you must express an intention to return to the home if your health allows.
If you’re single, the home exemption applies to you as long you maintain your primary residence. Married couples can take advantage of an unlimited home exemption if one spouse continues to live in the home. Medicaid offers additional provisions for those caring for disabled children.
Are you feeling overwhelmed? An Ohio elder law attorney with experience in Medicaid planning can help you navigate the Medicaid rules and your unique circumstances to ensure your beloved home remains safe and sound.
Myth 4: If You Have Medicare, You Have Coverage for All Your Healthcare Needs
Many mistakenly believe that Medicare fulfills all their healthcare needs. However, while Medicare covers a wide range of services, its support for long-term care is limited to just 100 days. This coverage is only available if specific conditions are met by the enrollee, highlighting the importance of understanding the limitations and planning accordingly.
Conversely, Medicaid covers long-term care services for those who qualify, a vital resource for seniors who require ongoing care.
Myth 5: If You Receive Medicaid, Your Spouse Will Lose Everything
Ohio’s spousal impoverishment rules are designed to protect the financial stability of the “at-home” partner when their spouse requires long-term care. These regulations ensure that the community spouse can retain a specific portion of income and assets, allowing them to maintain their well-being while their partner receives Medicaid benefits.
Don’t navigate this complex process alone. An experienced Ohio Medicaid attorney can share savvy asset transfer advice to avoid Medicaid penalties, provide income allocation assistance to maintain the community spouse’s quality of life, and offer individualized estate planning strategies, including wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents.
Myth 6: Ohio Medicaid Only Covers Nursing Home Care
Ohio’s Medicaid program provides a comprehensive care solution for eligible seniors, offering home—and community-based service waivers alongside traditional nursing home coverage. The PASSPORT waiver program is instrumental in preserving assets and maintaining independence by offering essential long-term services without institutionalization. However, engaging in proactive planning with an experienced Ohio Medicaid attorney is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of high long-term care costs, costly spend-downs, and potential asset loss.
Myth 7: After You Die, Medicaid Will Seize Your Home
Ohio’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program aims to reclaim funds from the estates of deceased beneficiaries. By establishing a trust, you can protect your family home and other assets from recovery efforts. It’s essential to consult with an experienced Blacklick Medicaid attorney to ensure your estate planning aligns with your needs and goals, providing the protection your assets require.
