Could Medicaid Payback Rules Come to an End?

Amid recent reports from such prominent news outlets as The New York Times and Associated Press about the negative impact of Medicaid estate recovery on families, the idea of ending this practice altogether has resurfaced.

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a public assistance program that seeks to provide health insurance coverage for Americans with limited means. To be eligible for Medicaid in most states, you must meet strict income and asset guidelines. Generally, Medicaid rules will require that you have no more than $2,000 to your name.

Many older Americans who eventually need long-term care services come to rely on Medicaid to cover these costs. (Note that Medicare, a different government program, does not pay for long-term care.)

As of late 2023, the median monthly cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home in the U.S. was close to $9,000. The vast majority of people cannot afford to pay these prices out of pocket over the long term. So, they often opt to spend down what assets they do have until they can qualify for the Medicaid program.

What Is Medicaid Estate Recovery?

Federal law requires that states attempt to recover the funds they had paid out for a Medicaid recipient’s medical care during their lifetime. This might include any costs that have accrued for nursing facility services, prescription drugs, or other medical or long-term care. The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program specifically affects Medicaid long-term care recipients who had reached age 55 or older.

With certain exceptions, it’s mandatory for a state to seek these repayments from the person’s estate after they have passed away. States that fail to pursue this course of action may be at risk of losing the Medicaid funding they receive from the federal government.

Can Medicaid Take Your Home?

In most states, only property that is part of your probate estate is subject to Medicaid estate recovery. So, for instance, if you have named someone to benefit from your life insurance policy, those funds will pass outside probate in most places. However, your house may be your sole asset, and you may not have taken precautions to protect it from estate recovery. In this case, the state Medicaid agency could place a lien on it to recover its costs.

The financial consequences of the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program can be devastating for grieving families. As states seek to recover money they have spent on Medicaid beneficiaries who received long-term care benefits, families with lower incomes tend to be the ones in the crosshairs. In some cases, the survivors of the deceased may lose their family home or face bankruptcy.

The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act

In March 2024, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) reintroduced legislation, the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, proposing to end Medicaid estate recovery altogether. The bill would prevent states from placing liens on the homes of Medicaid recipients while helping to improve access to long-term care services.

According to the recent story in the Times, one nonpartisan agency cited that, for fiscal year 2019, most states recouped less than 1 percent of what they had spent on Medicaid long-term care benefits.

“This current system ... is ineffective and unjust, and it must end,” Schakowsky said in a news release about the Act. “Let’s give our seniors and their families dignity and peace of mind.”

Numerous advocacy groups had previously expressed their support for ending Medicaid estate recovery. However, the bill may not be particularly likely to move forward immediately.

Plan for the Unforeseen With an Elder Law Attorney

Avoiding Medicaid estate recovery is possible, but it does take careful and deliberate planning.

Facing the possibility that you could one day need Medicaid long-term care coverage is important. After all, statistics show that seven in 10 older Americans are likely to require some form of long-term care in their later years.

Keep in mind that the rules regarding Medicaid benefits, which are specific to your state, can be complex. Be sure to work with a qualified elder law attorney, who can help you navigate your potential options. They can assist you in planning for your future and guide you in making the best possible decisions. This might include strategizing about when and how to apply for Medicaid or looking for ways to protect your assets.

Find an elder law attorney near you today for legal advice.

To learn more about Medicaid estate recovery – as well as how to avoid it – check out the following articles:

• Protect Your Home When You Want to Qualify for Medicaid
• Using Estate Planning to Prepare for Medicaid
• Medicaid Enrollees: Financial Protection for Your Spouse
• What Is a Life Estate? Estate Planning Basics