Can one spouse be on Medicaid and the other not?
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Can one spouse be on Medicaid and the other not?
Medicaid assumes that both spouses of a married couple are financially responsible for one another. As a result, when Medicaid determines a spouse's eligibility for benefits, the assets of the husband or wife who isn't applying — known as “the community spouse” — are expected to contribute to the care of the other.
What is the spousal impoverishment rule?
In 1988, Congress enacted provisions to prevent what has come to be called "spousal impoverishment," leaving the spouse who is still living at home in the community with little or no income or resources.
How much money can a spouse keep before Medicaid will help?
In order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits a nursing home resident may have no more than $2,000 in assets (an amount may be somewhat higher in some states). In general, the community spouse may keep one-half of the couple's total "countable" assets up to a maximum of $128,640 (in 2020).
How do I protect my spouses assets from Medicaid?
Create a Funeral Trust – Certain irrevocable funeral trusts created for the Medicaid candidate and / or their spouse can enable a couple to reduce their countable assets by up to $30,000 (depending on their state of residence).
