Questions & Answers

My mother is currently on Medicaid. She has Alzheimer's disease. We have been informed that she will be receiving a inheritance from a recently deceased family member. How does this work with Medicaid? I know that she will no longer will be eligible for Medicaid. But what happens with this money? Do they have the right to monitor her money? Tell us how this money can be used?

You have it right. When your mother receives her inheritance, you or whoever is representing her will have to inform the Medicaid agency for your state. Here Medicaid coverage will then end until she has again spent down her money to the countable asset limit, $2,000 in many states. The money can be spent for anything that will benefit your mother, including prepaying her funeral, travel, dining out, clothes, television, DVD player, and paying off any debts she may have. In most cases, your mother cannot make gifts with her money. However, there are some exceptions to this rule and in some states good planning techniques which may permit some gifting. To be sure, you will need to consult with a qualified elder law attorney in your state.