What Happens with Medicaid if Your Parents Move to a Different State?
After living in an assisted living facility for several years, it has been determined that your parents need special medical attention that can only be found in a facility in a neighboring state. You have always heard that Medicaid is a federally funded program, so you figure that it would be no problem moving your parents to a different state. It is not until you actually start the process that you realize what you are up against.
The Truth About Medicaid Funding
While Medicare is a completely federal insurance program, Medicaid is quite different. The funding for Medicaid comes from the federal government, but the requirements for qualifying for Medicaid are run by the individual states. Ever since the Affordable Care Act was introduced, the status of Medicaid in many states has been dynamic and changing. This means that the rules regarding applying for Medicaid in each state, and the income requirements, are all very different than they were years ago.
Medicaid in Two States
Since the federal government funds Medicaid, it does have its own set of rules regarding eligibility. The one rule that would apply to someone looking to move to a different state is that one person cannot have open Medicaid accounts in two different states. Before you can apply for Medicaid in the new state, you have to close your current Medicaid account. This means that if the application process in the new state takes too long, your family will have to pay all of the costs of your assisted living arrangement until you are approved to move.
Do not Despair
The income requirements in all states, while changing over the years, have tended to remain close to what they were years ago. That means that your parents will have a very good chance at being approved in a new state based on their current income. Also, the approval process can be completed in as little as 15 days in many states. The sooner you get started, the faster your parents can be approved.
Do not Try it Yourself
Moving to a different state with parents who rely on Medicaid is extremely complicated. While it is definitely not impossible, it can be made more challenging if you try to do it yourself. You need to secure the services of an experienced elder law attorney who can make sure that the entire process goes smoothly for you and that approval in the new state happens as quickly as possible.
The non-crisis Medicaid planning lawyers at The Mattar Firm are ready to help your parents make the transition to their new state. We can oversee the entire Medicaid application process for you, and reduce the stress on your family while making sure your parents get the care they need.