Medicaid Care in Nursing Facilities
To assist seniors with a number of questions that they may have about programs that assist individuals with limited income, the Best Times interviewed Charlene Correll, Supervisor in the Elderly and Disabled Division at the Johnson County office of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) regarding Medicaid Care in Nursing Facilities.
1. When should Kansas seniors apply for medicaid to cover nursing facility expenses? What are the functional and financial eligibility requirements?
The eligibility requirements for nursing home assistance (Medicaid) are
- Must be age 65 or older; or disabled according to social security standards.
- Nursing home placement is medically necessary (Preadmission assessment is required.)
- Countable resources (assets) must be below $2000.*
- Any assets given away in the past 36 months (60 months if a trust was established) may affect current eligibility.
* Note: A couple may divide assets and income in accordance with the "spousal impoverishment provisions".
2. How far in advance should you apply if you need nursing home care but are running out of money to pay for it privately?
Part of the application process is proving that you qualify, including showing that your resources are below $2,000. So, just as soon as you can document this (like with a bank statement), then you should apply.
Medicaid can provide coverage for 3 months prior to the application month if eligible in those months.
3. Is it true that Division of Assets or the Spousal Impoverishment Law allows a couple to divide their income and savings, so that one spouse can keep an adequate income and savings while the other one is spending his or her portion of the income and savings down until they qualify for medicaid in a nursing home or through the HCBS program at-home or in an assisted living facility? How and when does a couple apply for Division of Assets?
Your question describes the provision. The amount to be divided is the total of the couple's assets at the time that long term care begins for one of the spouses, (or at the time of assessment for HCBS). SRS can complete a resource assessment at that time, identifying exactly how much of the assets can be retained. This does require the completion of a form which asks for a listing of the couple's assets.
Benefits and eligibility criteria change slightly every year. This information is as of June 2004. For more information, contact the Johnson County SRS office at 913-826-7300; statewide 1-800-766-9012.
Or call Johnson County Aging Information at 913-715-8861. To locate Area Agencies on Aging elsewhere in Kansas and nationwide contact the Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116.
Also see www.srskansas.org or www.agingkansas.org
Human Services & Aging
11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #1300
Olathe, KS 66061-7056
(913) 715-8800 : voice
(913) 715-8825 : fax
(913) 894-8822 : TTY
E-mail