ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Medicaid longterm care benefits, eligibility requirements, and special planning considerations for married persons. It discusses asset transfers may cause seniors to lose Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is a federal program, but it is administered by the states. Medicaid pays the medical expenses of defined categories of persons who also meet financial eligibility requirements. Although federal law sets the basic parameters for Medicaid eligibility, state interpretations of the federal standards differ, resulting in eligibility standards that are not completely consistent from state to state. Medicaid rules for a married, institutionalized applicant are designed to help the community spouse have adequate income and resources. Married couples will want to consider methods of creating eligibility for Medicaid while preserving assets for use by the community spouse. Many older Americans would like to create Medicaid eligibility by giving away assets to their family members rather than spending them down on their own care.
