A. Yes, you can still protect the assets. While you may have lost the opportunity to use some strategies, it is never too late to protect most if not all of the remaining assets.

Q. If you give assets away do you have to wait 36 months to qualify for Medicaid?

A. No. New rules effective in 2008 severely penalize you for making uncompensated transfers of assets. These rules will extend the look-back period to 60 months. 

Q. Is the home counted as an asset?

A. No. The first $500,000 in home value is a not counted as an asset so long as the owner has an intent to return.

Q. When you die does the state take the house?

A. No. But if the house does not qualify as the “homestead” as defined by Florida’s constitution it could be taken by the state to recover money spent on your care in the nursing home after you die.

Q. What about the money in the safety deposit box, do you have tell anyone about it when applying for benefits?

A. Yes. You must disclose to Medicaid all of your assets. Failure to do so is fraud. Always tell us about all the assets. 

Q. Can your son take money out of your joint account without affecting eligibility?

A. No. Any transfer of assets from a joint account, regardless of who makes the transfer, will be considered a transfer.

Q. Can you still give $13,000.00 a year away?

A. No, not without it being considered a disqualifying transfer. Many people mistakenly believe that because you can give away $13,000.00 per person, per year, tax free, that this is the same case with Medicaid. Unfortunately, it is not and the gift may adversely affect your eligibility.

Q. Do you get to keep your income if you are on Medicaid?

A. No. You are required to pay to the nursing home your total monthly income, minus $35.00 for personal needs. But, if there is a spouse he or she keeps all of their income and may be entitled to some or all of the applicant’s income. 

Q. Should you wait until you need Medicaid benefits before seeing an elder law attorney?

A. No. Many of the options available to protect your assets are dependent on time. Therefore, the sooner you begin planning before the need arises the more options you have to preserve the assets.

Q. Once you are in a nursing home are there still planning options available?

A. Yes. There are multiple options available to preserve and protect assets.

Q. Do you need to have an elder law attorney help you qualify for Medicaid benefits?

A. Only an elder law attorney can bring together the necessary Medicaid planning, estate planning and incapacity planning skills to comprehensively solve the issues presented by a prolonged stay in a nursing home.