Medicaid Planning: Medicaid Answers
With Medicaid laws constantly changing, it is important to have experienced Medicaid legal advice for current Medicaid eligibility questions, issues or concerns.
Here are some answers to Medicaid questions frequently asked:
- Is Medicaid the same for every state?
All States must provide Medicaid for all eligible residents, but it is important to know that Medicaid coverage options and rules may vary from state to state. - Are Adult children or non-spouses responsible for the medical bills of their parents / loved ones?
Neither adult children nor a spouse are held responsible for the medical bills of a parent or a loved one that is a Medicaid recipient. Likewise, neither the income of adult children nor a spouse can be used to determine eligibility of a person in need of Medicaid. - Is a "well spouse" responsible for the Medicaid expenses of an ill spouse?
Federal Medicaid law allows for states to "deem" the assets of a "well spouse" as available to the sick spouse. Texas follows the "name-on-the-check" rule with regard to income, meaning, whoever the check is payable to will be deemed as the owner of the income. There are variations from state to state on how they states choose to apply these laws.
How long is Medicaid's "look back" period?
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 changed the Medicaid "look back" period to 60 months. The "look back" rule does not apply to Medicaid coverage of regular medical costs or of in-home care.
