Question: I would like to know whether I would qualify for the caretaker exemption under Medicaid rules if my parents transferred their home to me. I have been caring for my elderly parents in their home in New York State for more than two years. However, for a period of approximately six months I transferred them to an assisted living facility in Florida. They paid for the assisted living themselves, and Medicaid was not involved. They are now back at home, and I am continuing to care for them. Will that six-month period need to be deducted from the overall time I have cared for them or will a newtwo-year period of eligibility have to start following the date they returned home?

Answer: That’s a good question. Unfortunately, you probably cannot just deduct the six-month period. The federal Medicaid statute exempts transfers of the home to a caretaker child “who was residing in [the Medicaid applicant’s] home for a period of at least two years immediately before the date the individual” moves to a nursing home. The use of the word “immediately” would be the problem in your case due to the six-month gap. If you continued to live in the home for the six months your parents were in Florida, you would technically meet the residency requirement. The problem is that most Medicaid agencies also apply the “immediately” requirement to providing the care. I would check with your local Medicaid office or a New York elder law attorney to see if they could provide an answer on local practices.

Write a comment:

You must be logged in to post a comment.

© 2019 MATTHEW L. MERCER | Attorney at Law

15 Franklin Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Tel: 401.315.2702
Fax: 401-315-2703
E-mail: mlm@matthewmercerlaw.com
logo-footer

STAY CONNECTED WITH US:      

Disclaimer: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer / client relationship.