Medicaid Planning by Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney
Each year we update the Ohio Medicaid limits when they're released. For a print version click here "2023 Ohio Medicaid Guide" Find our other guides for estate planning, long term care planning and special needs planning on our Helpful Guides: Long-Term Care, Medicaid, Special Needs Planning
Protection for Spouse of Medicaid Applicant (CSRA) 2023
Medicaid law provides special protections for the spouses of Medicaid applicants to make sure the spouses have the minimum support needed to continue to live in the community while their husband or wife is receiving long-term care benefits, usually in a nursing home.
One of the most important protections is the "community spouse resource allowance" or CSRA. It works this way: if the Medicaid applicant is married, the countable assets of both the community spouse and the institutionalized spouse are totaled as of the date of "institutionalization," the day on which the ill spouse enters either a hospital or a long-term care facility in which he or she then stays for at least 30 days. (This is sometimes called the "snapshot" date because Medicaid is taking a picture of the couple's assets as of this date.)
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 $148,620 (in 2023). This is the community spouse resource allowance (CSRA), the most that a state may allow a community spouse to retain without a hearing or a court order. The least that a state may allow a community spouse to retain is $29,724 (in 2023).
Example: If a couple has $100,000 in countable assets on the date the applicant enters a nursing home, he or she will be eligible for Medicaid once the couple's assets have been reduced to a combined figure of $52,000 -- $2,000 for the applicant and $50,000 for the community spouse.
MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY
Many people fail to realize that neither their health insurance nor Medicare will cover long-term care. As a result, many middle-class seniors fail to plan for long-term care and can spend their entire life savings before becoming impoverished and turning to Medicaid. Medicaid is a joint program of the federal and state governments that will pay the long-term care costs of those who have little or no assets. The rules governing Medicaid in Ohio are extremely complex and have undergone substantial changes in the last few years which is why we create a Medicaid Guide each year with some basic Medicaid eligibility updates. If you have questions about Medicaid eligibility, income, savings, assets and more, please contact the offices of Joseph L. Motta for a free consultation.
Conclusion: Free Initial Consultation for Medicaid Planning
All information regarding Medicaid eligibility and Medicaid planning found on this website is intended to provide you with a general introduction to Ohio’s Medicaid program. Please be aware that there are numerous details that cannot be updated as frequently as the guidelines change and as such are covered in a brief summary with the goal to educate you concerning Medicaid’s financial restrictions, and help you appreciate the importance of proper planning. Joseph L. Motta Co., LPA has helped many individuals qualify for Medicaid without losing their life savings. Please call the office of Joseph L. Motta with any questions and a free initial consultation so that we may review your situation and how it specifically applies to Ohio's Medicaid guidelines.
If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help you, please call us at 440-930-2826 or fill out our contact us form.