The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2020 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of institutionalized Medicaid recipients may keep, as well as related Medicaid figures.
How Much Can the Spouse Keep Without Jeopardizing Medicaid Eligibility?
In 2020, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in a nursing home (called the "community spouse") may keep as much as $128,640 without jeopardizing the Medicaid eligibility of the spouse who is receiving long-term care. Known as the community spouse resource allowance or CSRA, this is the most that a state may allow a community spouse to retain without a hearing or a court order. While some states set a lower maximum, the least that a state may allow a community spouse to retain in 2020 will be $25,728.
Meanwhile, the maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA) for 2020 will be $3,216. This is the most in monthly income that a community spouse is allowed to have if her own income is not enough to live on and she must take some or all of the institutionalized spouse's income. The minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance for the lower 48 states remains $2,113.75 ($2,641.25 for Alaska and $2,432.50 for Hawaii) until July 1, 2020.
In determining how much income a particular community spouse is allowed to retain, states must abide by this upper and lower range. Bear in mind that these figures apply only if the community spouse needs to take income from the institutionalized spouse. According to Medicaid law, the community spouse may keep all her own income, even if it exceeds the maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance.
The new spousal impoverishment numbers (except for the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance) take effect on January 1, 2020.
For a more complete explanation of the community spouse resource allowance read page: Medicaid Eligibility: Spouse’s Income and Benefits and Medicaid: Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA).
Home Equity Limits:
In 2020, a Medicaid applicant’s principal residence will not be counted as an asset by Medicaid if the applicant's equity interest in the home is less than $595,000, with the states having the option of raising this limit to $893,000.
For more on Medicaid’s home equity limit, contact Joseph L. Motta with all your Medicaid eligibility and Medicaid planning questions.
Avon Lake, Ohio Elder Law Attorney
At Joseph L. Motta Co., a local estate planning firm in Avon Lake, OH, it is our goal to help you leave a legacy, not a predicament. Let us help you look over your estate planning documents to see if they may need updating. Please call our office at 440-930-2826 to schedule a free consultation .
