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Thanks to a new rule recently finalized by the federal government, obtaining and renewing health care coverage under the Medicaid program is set to become easier for millions of Americans.

One strategy for protecting assets and qualifying for Medicaid that has gained attention in recent years is the use of promissory notes. This article will provide an explanation of promissory notes in the context of Medicaid planning, including their purpose, legality, implications, and considerations. Note that not all states allow promissory notes. Consult with an experienced elder law attorney before using one.

Though Medicaid exists to help those who need it, navigating the specifics of what it covers and does not cover can be daunting. This article highlights the basics of Medicaid coverage, shedding light on its benefits and limitations.

Amid recent reports from such prominent news outlets as The New York Times and Associated Press about the negative impact of Medicaid estate recovery on families, the idea of ending this practice altogether has resurfaced.

If you are planning to apply for Medicaid, you might not realize that you should think twice before transferring any of your assets.

You may not foresee yourself applying for Medicaid in the future. Yet in reality, research shows that roughly one in seven seniors are likely to require long-term care at some point later in life. Long-term care can be extremely costly; this is why many people have come to rely on the Medicaid benefits that cover these costs.

Increasing food prices have become a concern for many Americans. If you are a senior on a fixed income, you may worry that you will not have the money to fill your fridge. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exists to help people make ends meet. It is a food stamp program that supplies enrollees with a monthly allotment that they can use for groceries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, states could not take away Medicaid coverage from any residents enrolled in this program. In recent months, however, this has been changing. If you are on Medicaid, be sure to take some time to understand whether your coverage may be at risk.

The No Surprises Act is a federal law enacted to protect patients from unexpected medical bills incurred on or after January 1, 2022. It aims to address the issue of surprise medical billing, which can occur when patients receive unexpected charges for their medical care. The Act applies to out-of-network emergency services, out-of-network air ambulance services, and certain out-of-network care received at in-network facilities.

Under a federal pilot program, a number of states are using Medicaid funds to cover healthy food costs for Medicaid recipients. Ultimately, the trial program seeks to determine whether nutrition support can help prevent and manage certain chronic illnesses related to diet.

Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives. This type of care focuses on pain management and emotional, spiritual, and familial support for patients nearing the end of their lives.

Seniors who need assistance with everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, and eating are eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people who qualify for these services – but wish to receive them in their homes or a community setting – end up on extended waiting lists.

Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover part of the cost of self-measured blood pressure.

The debate among lawmakers on further expanding Medicaid in some 11 states continues to evolve. Depending on where you reside, passage of such an expansion could mean you become newly eligible for Medicaid.

Congress established the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program to provide states with federal funding to help seniors who are receiving care in institutions but want to live at home.

The Senate and House have cleared the passage of a year-end $1.7 trillion appropriations bill that will benefit older adults on a number of fronts.

Many senior citizens may need the services of a nursing home or at-home care at some point in their life. You might assume that government assistance or health insurance will step in and cover the cost if you cannot afford these services. Unfortunately, neither health insurance nor Medicare covers long-term care.

Spousal impoverishment is a concern for older couples when there is one spouse who requires long-term care and applies for Medicaid.

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one option a person may consider to protect assets from Medicaid and nursing homes or long-term care.

Seniors who rely on Medicaid and live in nursing homes receive a personal needs allowance — a monthly stipend the Medicaid recipient can use to pay for needs that Medicaid does not cover. Medicaid restricts the amount of the allowance and how it is used. If recipients do not use all the money they received in a month, they may risk losing their coverage.

Medicaid imposes strict rules on how much money and assets an applicant can have. To qualify for Medicaid, you must fall under the asset limit, which is $2,000 in most states. Even with greater than $2,000 in assets, however, you may be able to get on Medicaid by establishing a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). When you put your assets in a MAPT, Medicaid will not count the money in the trust toward its resource limit.

Leaving a nursing home to return home is a goal for many residents and their families, but it requires careful consideration. While returning home is a good move for some, it won't work for everyone.

If you apply for long-term care assistance through Medicaid and your application is denied, the situation may seem hopeless. The good news is that you can appeal the decision.

Navigating the Medicaid application process can be complicated, especially if you are applying for long-term care benefits. Hiring an attorney to help you through the process can be extremely helpful.

When a married couple applies for Medicaid, the Medicaid agency must analyze the couple’s income and assets as of a particular date to determine eligibility. The date that the agency chooses for this analysis is called the “snapshot” date and it can have a major impact on a couple’s financial future.