Another Myth about MassHealth and Paying for Long-Term Care

In past articles I’ve dispelled the myth that MassHealth won’t pay for home care. Now I’d like to address another common myth about MassHealth and long-term care, namely, that the well spouse will be kicked out of the family home if the ailing spouse moves to a nursing home and MassHealth pays for the ailing spouse’s care.

Simply put, this myth is not true.  The reality is considerably more complicated, but here is a brief synopsis.

Federal and state Medicaid law does indeed require MassHealth to recover assets from the probate estates of certain MassHealth recipients after their death.  This is a process known as “estate recovery.”  However, recovery is delayed when there is a surviving spouse, a surviving child under the age of 21, or a surviving child of any age who is disabled or blind.

In addition, MassHealth will not pursue recovery if the recipient’s probate estate is valued at less than $25,000 or surviving family members would suffer undue hardship.

The bottom line is this: You do not have to worry about your spouse being evicted from the family home if you move to a nursing home and MassHealth pays for your care.

Finally, it is likely that, by using a variety of estate planning tools and strategies, I can protect your family’s home and other assets for the benefit of – first and foremost, yourself during your lifetime – and also for future generations.  As with so many aspects of estate planning, the earlier we talk, the more options we will have.

Until next time, take care….

Alexis


P.S. I hope to see you on Thursday, April 14th at 10 AM.  Patricia Nihill of North River Home Care and I are hosting a free educational workshop at the Duxbury Senior Center to commemorate National Healthcare Decisions Day.  I’ll be discussing a crucial legal document called a Health Care Proxy.  You can register by calling 781-934-5774.