Qualifying for Medicaid in Ohio: Understanding Income and Asset Rules for Spouses
Navigating the Medicaid qualification process can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to secure long-term care for a loved one. In the State of Ohio, the rules look at the financial picture of both spouses, not just the individual who requires nursing home care.
If you or your spouse are facing the prospect of long-term care, it is essential to understand how Ohio evaluates your combined income and assets, and what options are available if you exceed the limits.
How Ohio Evaluates Assets and Income
When applying for Medicaid in Ohio, the qualification process takes into account:
The assets of both spouses.
The income of both spouses.
However, the rules recognize that the spouse who remains at home, referred to as the Community Spouse, needs financial security. Because of this, there are specific assets that may be maintained and kept by the Community Spouse.
What If Your Assets or Income Exceed the Allowed Limits?
If your combined financial resources are higher than the rules allow, you are not completely out of options. Ohio law provides specific mechanisms to help families qualify:
The Spend Down Process
In cases where the assets exceed the allowed amount to be maintained by the spouse needing care and that allowed for the spouse remaining in the community, you may utilize a “spend down.” This option allows one or both spouses to spend excess funds on allowable items under strict Medicaid rules to lower their asset count to an eligible level.
Income Diversion for the Community Spouse
In the event that the income of the Community Spouse is not sufficient to maintain their household, Ohio Medicaid rules allow for a remedy. Some of the funds of the spouse in the nursing care can be legally diverted to the Community Spouse to help support their household needs.
Qualifying Income Trusts (QIT)
What happens if the spouse in the nursing home has too much income to qualify for assistance? In the event that the spouse in the nursing home has too much income to qualify for help from Medicaid, a tool known as a Qualifying Income Trust can be used. A Qualifying Income Trust can be a tool used to help that person qualify for Medicaid assistance.
Get Elder Law Attorney Guidance
Because Medicaid rules are rigid and highly dependent on exact numbers, navigating the system alone can lead to costly mistakes. Talk to a qualified elder law attorney for help navigating the Medicaid system.