2018 Medicaid Eligibility Figures
January 8, 2018
Along with the arctic blast of cold air and blizzard conditions, 2018 brings with it new Medicaid eligibility figures. The 2018 Medicaid eligibility numbers are somewhat more generous than the eligibility requirements for 2017.
Beginning January 1, 2018:
- 1. A Medicaid applicant/recipient can have up to $14,850 in available resources;
- 2. A single applicant/recipient of Community Medicaid benefits can have up to $842 in monthly income plus an additional $20 for persons over the age of 65;
- 3. The community spouse of a nursing home resident can have monthly income of up to $3,090;
- 4. The community spouse of a nursing home resident may have available resources of $74,820 to $123,600; and
- 5. Residences and retirement funds continue to be protected in certain circumstances.
Effective January 1, 2018 the regional nursing home rates for New York City and Long Island will increase. These regional rates play an important role for those applicants who have made gifts or transfers in the five years immediately preceding their nursing home Medicaid application.
Gifting of non-exempt assets prior to the application for Medicaid can result in a period of ineligibility. In 2018, the total value of all non-exempt gifts will be divided by $13,053 in Nassau and Suffolk counties and $12,319 in New York City to determine the length of the period in which the applicant will be ineligible for Medicaid benefits. The resulting number represents the number of months the penalty period will run; the applicant must privately pay for nursing home care during this time period. There is no penalty imposed on transfers made prior to an application for Community Medicaid.
Medicaid rules are complicated and we deal with them on a daily basis. There are numerous ways to achieve Medicaid coverage without spending down a lifetime of savings. Please do not hesitate to give our office a call if you think we can help you or a loved one.
