Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans – Are They Right For You?
As of 2020, approximately 12.5 million people have Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and specific disabled individuals. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps provide medical care for those with limited income and resources. Medicaid recipients include children, pregnant women, and individuals who are blind or […]
Why Georgia’s New Medicaid Program May Impact You
In June 2023, Georgia announced the implementation of the Pathways to Coverage program, effective July 1, 2023. If successful, it could allow able-bodied adults who have not previously qualified for Medicaid to join the program and have access to health coverage if they meet certain conditions. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a public assistance program that […]
What to Do If You Lose Your Medicaid Coverage
During the COVID-19 pandemic, states could not remove Medicaid coverage from any residents enrolled in this program. In recent months, however, this has been changing. If you are on Medicaid, take some time to understand whether your coverage may be at risk. How the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affected Medicaid Enrollees Enacted in March […]
How the Debt Ceiling Bill Could Impact Medicaid Enrollees
For adults who rely on Medicaid, a bill recently passed by the House may mean holding a job would become necessary to continue accessing benefits. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a public benefits program providing health insurance for individuals with limited resources, including seniors, who qualify based partly on their income. With its enrollment […]
Key Elder Law Numbers for 2023: Annual Roundup
For quick reference, please find below the figures for 2023 that are frequently used in elder law practice that are of interest to our clients. Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Figures for 2023 Medicaid Home Equity Limits Access CMS’s complete chart of the 2023 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards. Income Cap The income cap (in applicable states) […]
How Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person Program Aids Seniors
Congress established the “Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program” to provide states with federal funding to help seniors receiving care in institutions that want to live at home. However, it is not a permanent program and is due to expire in September 2027. Advocates have pushed for Congress to make MFP permanent, ensuring that states have […]
5 Questions to Ask Before Making Gifts for Medicaid or Tax Planning
Many seniors consider transferring assets for estate and long-term care planning purposes, or to help out children and grandchildren. Gifts and transfers to a trust often make a lot of sense. They can save money in taxes and long-term care expenditures, and they can help out family members in need and serve as expressions of […]
Medicaid Renewals Resuming: The Information Gap
Recent findings show an information gap among Medicaid recipients regarding the need to re-enroll for benefits after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. Medicaid recipients are inconsistently informed about the end of the PHE and its effect on their health insurance benefits in terms of the amount of information they have and where they receive their information. The PHE […]
Pros and Cons of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one option a person may consider to protect their assets from Medicaid and nursing homes or long-term care. A MAPT is an irrevocable trust created during your lifetime. The primary goal of a MAPT is to transfer assets to it so that Medicaid will not count these assets […]
What Does “Medicaid Pending” Mean?
In today’s world, it is crucial to have healthcare insurance. So, it can be concerning if your application status is still “Medicaid Pending.” Medicaid Pending status means that your application or your parent’s application has not yet been approved or denied. Essentially, your application is in limbo. Here is why this status is important: To […]
