New Medicaid Laws

I hope this email finds you well and safe.

As you may have read or heard, New York will be imposing a 30-month (2 ½ year) look-back period for homecare and other long-term care Medicaid services (such as assisted living).  Although there has been a 5-year look-back period for nursing home care for quite some time, there was no look-back period for homecare.  That changes October 1, 2020.

In addition, starting October 1, 2020, there will be new, stricter requirements regarding the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) needed to qualify for Medicaid services.  Examples of ADLs are dressing, bathing, walking and transferring from a bed or chair to a walker.  An individual who may qualify for services under current law may not qualify under the new law.

If one has been having issues with ADLs but was not ready to apply for Medicaid, it may be wise to apply now before the rules change.  Also, in view of the new 2 ½ year look-back period for homecare, it may be advisable to consider setting up a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust.

If you would like to learn more about these changes, please check out my video at https://www.elderlawny.com/check-out-our-latest-webinar-on-the-new-medicaid-laws/.