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Medicaid and the elderly.

Introduction and summary

Expenditures on medical care by Medicaid Medicaid, national health insurance program in the United States for low-income persons; established in 1965 with passage of the Social Security Amendments and now run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  and Medicare Medicare, national health insurance program in the United States for persons aged 65 and over and the disabled. It was established in 1965 with passage of the Social Security Amendments and is now run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. , America's two main public health insurance programs, are large and growing rapidly. Although Medicare is the main provider of medical care for the elderly and disabled, it does not cover all medical costs. In particular, it covers only a limited amount of long-term care expenses (for example, nursing home expenses). The principal public provider of long-term care is Medicaid, a means-tested program for the impoverished im·pov·er·ished  
adj.
1. Reduced to poverty; poverty-stricken. See Synonyms at poor.

2. Deprived of natural richness or strength; limited or depleted:
. Medicaid now assists 70 percent of nursing home residents (1) and helps the elderly poor pay for other medical services as well. In 2009, Medicaid spent over $75 billion on 5.3 million elderly beneficiaries. (2)

An important feature of Medicaid is that it provides insurance against catastrophic medical expenses by providing a minimum floor of consumption for households. Although Medicaid is available only to "poor" households, middle-income households with high medical expenses usually qualify for assistance also. Given the ongoing growth in medical expenditures, Medicaid coverage in old age is thus becoming as much of a program for the middle class as for the poor (Brown and Finkelstein Finkelstein (פֿינק(ע)לשׁטײַן, פינקלשׁט(י)ין, , 2008).

Another important feature of Medicaid is that it is asset and income tested; in contrast, almost all seniors qualify for Medicare. This implies that Medicaid affects households' saving decisions, not only by reducing the level and risk of their medical expenses, but also by encouraging them to consume their wealth and income more quickly in order to qualify for aid (Hubbard, Skinner Skin·ner , B(urrhus) F(rederick) 1904-1990.

American psychologist. A leading behaviorist, Skinner influenced the fields of psychology and education with his theories of stimulus-response behavior.
, and Zeldes, 1995). Although Medicaid covers poor people of all ages, this article focuses on Medicaid's coverage for the elderly.

Many recent proposals for reforming Medicaid could have significant effects on the financial burdens of the elderly, on the medical expense risk that they face, and on their saving decisions. Moreover, Medicaid is a large and growing component of the federal budget. The share of total federal, state, and local government expenditures absorbed by Medicaid rose from less than 2 percent in 1970 to almost 7 percent in 2009, (3) and it is expected to increase even more in the future. Controlling the cost of Medicaid is an important component in correcting the federal government's longterm fiscal imbalance imbalance /im·bal·ance/ (im-bal´ans)
1. lack of balance, such as between two opposing muscles or between electrolytes in the body.

2. dysequilibrium (2).
.

In this article, we describe the Medicaid rules for the elderly and discuss their economic implications. We focus on the rules for single (that is, never married, divorced, or widowed) individuals to avoid the additional complications involved in considering couples. The main difference between singles and couples is that the income and asset limits for Medicaid eligibility are higher for couples.

Medicaid is administered jointly by the federal and state governments, but each state has significant flexibility on the details of implementation; hence, there is large variation across states in income and asset eligibility and in coverage. This variation may well provide elderly people in different states with different saving incentives, and it might even encourage them to move from one state to another. We focus on finding the features common to all states, and identifying the most salient state-level differences.

Overview of the Medicaid program

Medicaid and Medicare were created by the Social Security Act Amendments of 1965. Although the program was initially intended to cover the population on welfare (for example, recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was the name of a federal assistance program in effect from 1935 to 1997,[1] which was administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. , AFDC AFDC
abbr.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children

AFDC n abbr (US) (= Aid to Families with Dependent Children) → ayuda a familias con hijos menores

AFDC n abbr
, or Supplemental Security Income Supplemental Security Income

A Social Security program established to help the blind, disabled, and poor.
, SSI (1) See server-side include and single-system image.

(2) (Small-Scale Integration) Less than 100 transistors on a chip. See MSI, LSI, VLSI and ULSI.

1. (electronics) SSI - small scale integration.
2.
), over time legislation has expanded coverage to non-welfare recipients overwhelmed o·ver·whelm  
tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms
1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline.

2.
a.
 by their medical costs. Box 1 provides a chronology chronology,
n the arrangement of events in a time sequence, usually from the beginning to the end of an event.
 of important Medicaid-related legislation for the elderly. Two key themes emerge from box 1. First, Medicaid has increased the number of services provided over time. Second, Medicaid has attempted to limit the abuse of the system by using increasingly stringent and comprehensive asset tests to determine eligibility.

For our purposes, it is useful to divide elderly Medicaid recipients into three groups: 1) the categorically needy need·y  
adj. need·i·er, need·i·est
1. Being in need; impoverished. See Synonyms at poor.

2. Wanting or needing affection, attention, or reassurance, especially to an excessive degree.
, whose low income and assets qualify them for Medicaid. This group includes those who qualify for SSI, as well as "dual eligibles," whose Medicare deductibles and co-pays are covered by Medicaid; 2) the institutionalized in·sti·tu·tion·al·ize  
tr.v. in·sti·tu·tion·al·ized, in·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·ing, in·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·es
1.
a. To make into, treat as, or give the character of an institution to.

b.
 medically needy, who qualify for Medicaid because their financial resources do not cover their nursing home expenses; and 3) the noninstitutionalized adj. 1. not committed to an institution; - op people. Opposite of institutionalized nt>.

Adj. 1. noninstitutionalized - not committed to an institution
noninstitutionalised
 medically needy, who qualify for Medicaid because their financial resources cannot cover catastrophic noninstitutional adj. 1. not institutional. Opposite of institutional nt>.

Adj. 1. noninstitutional - not institutional
institutional - organized as or forming an institution; "institutional religion"
 medical expenses. Each group faces a different set of asset and income tests. Figure 1 presents data on Medicaid enrollment and expenditures. In 2008, Medicaid spent roughly $75 billion (4) on 5.3 million beneficiaries aged 65 and older (data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid

U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care.
 Services). These data provide information on the number of people and expenditures in the different groups. Of those aged 65 and older, SSI recipients account for 40 percent of all beneficiaries and 27 percent of all Medicaid expenditures. "Dual eligibles" represent 29 percent of all beneficiaries and 9 percent of all Medicaid expenditures and are the second-largest group of Medicaid beneficiaries. "Medically needy" individuals represent 10 percent of all beneficiaries and 23 percent of all expenditures. "Others," a category largely made up of those with catastrophic medical expenses who are not technically "medically needy," represent 29 percent of all beneficiaries and 41 percent of all expenses. Although the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services technically refers to "others" as categorically needy, a large share of this group are what we will refer to as medically needy, because their circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact.
     2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or
 (catastrophic medical expenses) are more like those of the strictly medically needy than those of the other categorically needy groups.

The categorically needy: SSI beneficiaries

In most states, SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid as categorically needy recipients. Under the Social Security Act Amendments establishing SSI in 1972, states were mandated to provide elderly SSI recipients with Medicaid benefits. The law exempted states that in 1972 were using Medicaid eligibility criteria stricter than the newly enacted SSI criteria (Gruber, 2000). The 11 states that had the more restrictive rules for Medicaid are referred to as 209(b) states (Gardner and Gilleskie, 2009).

SSI pays monthly benefits to people with limited incomes and wealth who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 years and older. There is a (maximum) monthly SSI benefit that is paid for by the federal government. States can supplement this benefit. Figure 2 plots the federally provided monthly SSI benefit from 1975 to 2010. Table 1 shows the state-level supplements for all states that have offered a supplement over the sample period. In contrast to the federal benefit, which in real terms has been constant, the state supplements have varied greatly over time as well as across states.

To qualify for SSI, individuals must pass both an income test and an asset test. In non-209(b) states, the income test is based on the combined federal and state maximum monthly benefit. Individuals with no income receive this maximum monthly benefit if they pass the asset test. Otherwise, each individual's "countable income" is deducted de·duct  
v. de·duct·ed, de·duct·ing, de·ducts

v.tr.
1. To take away (a quantity) from another; subtract.

2. To derive by deduction; deduce.

v.intr.
 from the maximum to produce a net benefit. In most states, individuals receiving any benefit, no matter how small, are categorically eligible for Medicaid. This implies that the implicit marginal tax rate Marginal Tax Rate

The amount of tax paid on an additional dollar of income. As income rises, so does the tax rate.

Notes:
Many believe this discourages business investment because you are taking away the incentive to work harder.
 for the threshold dollar of countable income--the incremental dollar that pushes the individual over the income threshold--is extremely high, because that last dollar of income eliminates the individual's Medicaid coverage.
BOX 1
Medicaid time line

Social Security Act Amendments of 1965

* Medicaid program enacted.

* Medicare program for the elderly
also started.

Social Security Act Amendments of 1972

* Enacted Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) program for elderly and disabled, replacing
state-level programs that served the elderly and disabled.

* Required states to extend Medicaid to SSI recipients or to elderly
and disabled meeting that state's 1972 requirements.

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981

* Section 1915(c) home- and community-based waiver program launched.
This program allows people with serious health problems to obtain
home-based care instead of nursing home care.

Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982

* Allowed states to make institutionalized individuals pay for
Medicaid services if they owned a home and did not plan to return to
that home.

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986

* Allowed states to pay for Medicare premiums for Medicare
beneficiaries with incomes below the poverty level (qualified
Medicare beneficiaries, QMBs).

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990

* Allowed states to cover Medicare premiums for Medicare
beneficiaries with incomes between 100 and 120 percent of the
poverty level (specified low income beneficiaries, SLMBs).

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993

* Tightened prohibitions against transfer of assets in order to
qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage. Instituted a three-year
look-back period. Required recovery of nursing home expenses from
beneficiary estates.

Deficit Reduction Act of 2005

* Increased cost sharing (for example, increased copayments for
certain drugs) and reduced certain benefits.

* Extended the look-back period for assessing transfers from three
to five years.

* Imposed an upper bound on the amount of home equity excluded from
asset tests.

Sources: For 1965-93, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the
Uninsured (2002); for 2005, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the
Uninsured (2006).


The conversion of actual income into countable income depends on whether the income is earned or unearned. Earned income consists of financial or inkind income from wages, self-employment The perspective and/or examples in this article do not represent a world-wide view. Please [ edit] this page to improve its geographical balance.  (net), and sheltered workshops (5) Each dollar of earned income in excess of $65 counts as 50 cents of countable income. Unearned income Unearned Income

Any income that comes from investments and other sources unrelated to employment services.

Notes:
Examples of unearned income include interest from a savings account, bond interest, tips, alimony, and dividends from stock.
 includes Social Security benefits, worker or veteran compensation, annuities, rent, and interest from assets. Each dollar of unearned income counts as one dollar of countable income. In addition, the first $20 of income, earned or unearned, is disregarded dis·re·gard  
tr.v. dis·re·gard·ed, dis·re·gard·ing, dis·re·gards
1. To pay no attention or heed to; ignore.

2. To treat without proper respect or attentiveness.

n.
; the amount varies slightly across states. By way of example, in 2010 the maximum federal benefit for single, aged SSI recipients was $674. To qualify for SSI, an individual must have had less than $674 x 2 + $65 + $20 = $1,433 of earned income or $674 + $20 = $694 in unearned income. Finally, several types of income, most notably food stamps, are excluded from the income test. (6)

The income standards used by the 209(b) states do not have to follow this formula, although some do. The law only requires that the states impose criteria no stricter than those in effect in 1972 (House Ways and Means WAYS AND MEANS. In legislative assemblies there is usually appointed a committee whose duties are to inquire into, and propose to the house, the ways and means to be adopted to raise funds for the use of the government. This body is called the committee of ways and means.  Committee, 2004).

[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]

The asset test is more straightforward. Individuals with assets at or below the state-specific threshold qualify. Individuals with assets above the threshold do not qualify. This implies that the implicit marginal tax rate for the threshold dollar of assets is extremely high, as that last dollar of assets eliminates the individual's SSI and Medicaid benefits. Such a penalty provides a strong disincentive dis·in·cen·tive  
n.
Something that prevents or discourages action; a deterrent.


disincentive
Noun

something that discourages someone from behaving or acting in a particular way

Noun 1.
 to saving and encourages people to spend down their assets until they fall below the threshold.

The asset threshold varies across states, with a modal value Noun 1. modal value - the most frequent value of a random variable
mode

statistics - a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
 of $2,000. It is also the case, however, that many important categories of wealth are exempt, including one's principal residence. Box 2 lists assets that are excluded for elderly individuals.

Table 2 shows the current income and asset thresholds for each state. The 209(b) states appear at the bottom of the table. The only common factor across 209(b) states is that individuals have to apply for Medicaid separately from their SSI benefit application. Although some of the 209(b) states impose tighter income or asset restrictions for Medicaid, SSI eligibility implies Medicaid eligibility in most of these states.

The categorically needy: Dual eligibles

"Dual eligibles" are individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid and have Medicaid pay their Medicare premiums. Medicare covers basic health services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract , including physicians and hospital care, for the elderly. Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient services outpatient services Hospital-based services Managed care Medical and other services provided, to a nonadmitted Pt, by a hospital or other qualified facility–eg, mental health clinic, rural health clinic, mobile X-ray unit, free-standing dialysis unit Examples  such as doctor visits, costs $96.40 per month. As a dual eligible, an aged individual can get Medicaid to cover Medicare premiums and services that Medicare does not cover. Depending on their income, dual eligibles can qualify as Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs), or Qualified Individuals (QIs)-QMBs are assisted with Medicare Part B premiums and co-payments. In most states, the QMB QMB Qualified Medicare beneficiary, see there  income limit is 100 percent of the federal poverty level ($903 for single elderly people), and the asset limit is $6,600. However, nine states (including New York New York, state, United States
New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of
) do not impose any asset limits, and a subset A group of commands or functions that do not include all the capabilities of the original specification. Software or hardware components designed for the subset will also work with the original.  of these states also provide more generous income limits and disregard amounts. SLMBs are elderly individuals with income between 100 percent and 120 percent of the federal poverty level. SLMBs are assisted with premiums only. QIs are individuals with income between 120 percent and 135 percent of the poverty level who, depending on funding availability, may receive assistance with Medicare Part B premiums (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2010a and 2010b). Table 3 shows the asset and income limits for QMBs, SLMBs, and QIs.

The medically needy

Individuals with income or assets above the categorically needy limits may nonetheless not have enough resources to cover their medical expenses. Under the medically needy provisions, Medicaid pays part of these expenses. The implementation of medically needy coverage, however, varies greatly across states and types of medical care. The types of care covered under these arrangements include institutional (long-term) care, as well as home- and community-based service (HCBS HCBS Home & Community Based Services ) care.

As pointed out earlier, the term "medically needy" has both a loose and a strict definition. The loose definition we use refers to all programs for receiving Medicaid due to catastrophic medical expenses. However, in formal Medicaid language, the term "Medically Needy" refers to just one of several mechanisms for coping with unaffordable un·af·ford·a·ble  
adj.
Too expensive: medical care that has become unaffordable for many.



un
 medical expenses. As a rule, we will use the lowercase term "medically needy" to refer to the loose definition, and the uppercase term "Medically Needy" to refer to the formal program.
BOX 2
Assets excluded from the SSI asset test

1. The home you live in and the land it is on, regardless of value.

2. Property that you use in trade (gas station, beauty parlor, etc.).

3. Personal property used for work (tools, equipment, etc.).

4. Household goods and personal effects.

5. Wedding and engagement rings.

6. Burial funds (up to $1,500).

7. Term life insurance policies (regardless of face value) and whole
life insurance policies (with face value up to $1,500).

8. One vehicle (regardless of value).

9. Retroactive SSI or social security benefits for up to nine months
after you receive them (includes payments received in installments).

10. Grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts set aside to pay
educational expenses for up to nine months after you receive them.

11. Some property may be partially excluded, such as the property used
to produce goods or services needed for daily life, and nonbusiness
property that produces income, such as rented land, real estate,
or equipment.

Source: Social Security Administration (200%).


Figure 3 presents a diagram diagram /di·a·gram/ (di´ah-gram) a graphic representation, in simplest form, of an object or concept, made up of lines and lacking pictorial elements.  of how individuals may qualify for medically needy coverage under the various provisions. In addition to having different mechanics, the provisions impose different asset and income thresholds. For example, Medicaid imposes more generous asset limits for noninstitutional care. We discuss these provisions below.

The institutionalized medically needy

We begin by looking at provisions for institutional (that is, nursing home) care. (7) If an institutionalized elderly individual's monthly income is within 300 percent of the SSI limit, then she qualifies for Medicaid (Gruber, 2000) in 39 states, plus the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). , through the expanded nursing home provision. Virtually all of the person's income will still be applied toward the cost of care, and the individual will get an allowance. If an institutionalized person's income is greater than 300 percent of the SSI limit, but still insufficient to cover her medical expenses, she may qualify for Medicaid through one of two mechanisms. The first option is to use the formal Medically Needy provision, which can be used for any sort of medical expense, to cover institutional care. The individual will have a "spend-down" period that lasts until her net income--income less medical expenses--falls below the Medically Needy threshold. After qualifying as medically needy, the person still has to direct most of her income to pay for her care. She can keep only a small amount as a personal allowance, while Medicaid uses the rest to keep the individual at the institution (Gruber, 2000).

The second mechanism for receiving institutional care is to use a Qualified Income or Miller trust. Income deposited in these trusts is excluded from the Medicaid tests. The individual deposits enough income in a trust to fall below the 300 percent limit and qualify for expanded nursing home coverage. Once the individual passes away, the state receives any money remaining in the trust, up to the amount that Medicaid has paid on the individual's behalf (8) (Weschler, 2005).

Of the 39 states offering enhanced nursing home coverage, 25 also offer Medically Needy coverage. The remaining 15 states are required by federal law to allow applicants to use Miller trusts. Four of the states that provide medically needy coverage permit Miller trusts as well (Stone, 2002).

Of the 11 states not offering expanded nursing home coverage, nine offer Medically Needy coverage. The difference between these states and the states offering expanded nursing home coverage is that individuals in these states are not automatically eligible for Medicaid nursing home care if their incomes are below 300 percent of the SSI level. However, given that most individuals in nursing homes incur To become subject to and liable for; to have liabilities imposed by act or operation of law.

Expenses are incurred, for example, when the legal obligation to pay them arises. An individual incurs a liability when a money judgment is rendered against him or her by a court.
 medical expenses far greater than 300 percent of the SSI level, there is little practical difference in Medicaid eligibility across the different states. All individuals with incomes below 300 percent of the SSI level in either type of state will deplete de·plete
v.
1. To use up something, such as a nutrient.

2. To empty something out, as the body of electrolytes.
 all their resources and will be eligible for Medicaid nursing home care through the Medically Needy program. The remaining two states, Indiana Indiana, state, United States
Indiana, midwestern state in the N central United States. It is bordered by Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan (N), Ohio (E), Kentucky, across the Ohio R. (S), and Illinois (W).
 and Missouri Missouri, state, United States
Missouri (mĭzr`ē, –ə), one of the midwestern states of the United States.
, lack both provisions. However, Indiana and Missouri are both 209(b) states. To reduce the hardships that SSI beneficiaries may face in 209(b) states, federal rules require these states to allow individuals to spend down to the states' income and asset limits for Medicaid. (9) The rules thus mandate that 209(b) states offer the equivalent of a Medically Needy program, even if the states do not formally offer the Medically Needy option (Carpenter, 2000). Four 209(b) states--Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Oklahoma--offer a spend-down provision in accordance Accordance is Bible Study Software for Macintosh developed by OakTree Software, Inc.[]

As well as a standalone program, it is the base software packaged by Zondervan in their Bible Study suites for Macintosh.
 with this mandate. With this provision in place, institutionalized individuals in every state have at least one way to qualify for Medicaid if they are destitute des·ti·tute  
adj.
1. Utterly lacking; devoid: Young recruits destitute of any experience.

2. Lacking resources or the means of subsistence; completely impoverished. See Synonyms at poor.
 and institutionalized. (10)

[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]

Table 4 shows the provisions offered in each state and the associated income and asset limits. In most states, the Medically Needy income limits (income less medical expenses) are stricter than the income limits for the categorically needy.

Medicaid's ability to recover assets from the estate

The asset limits presented in table 4 are similar to the asset limits for the categorically needy presented in table 2. There are two key distinctions between the two sets of asset tests, both relating to relating to relate prepconcernant

relating to relate prepbezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc 
 their treatment of housing. First, the Medicaid asset test for the categorically needy excludes the individual's principal residence, whereas the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 stipulates that the Medicaid asset test for the medically needy places limits on the amount of home equity that is excluded. Although there are limits on the amount of home equity that can be excluded, the second-to-last column of table 4 shows that these limits are quite generous. (11) Second, and more importantly, houses owned by institutionalized individuals who do not plan to return to that house no longer serve as principal residences. (12) Therefore, the home equity of that individual is no longer excluded from the asset test. More precisely, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979
Health and Human Services, HHS
 (2005c, p. 2) states that an individual's house is included in the asset test when he "has no living spouse spouse  A legal marriage partner as defined by state law  or dependents and moves into a nursing home or other medical institution on a permanent basis without the intent to return, transfers the home for less than fair market value, or dies." An essential part of the definition is "the intent to return" provision, designed to exempt individuals whose stays at the institution are temporary. In most states, the intent to return is based on the beliefs of the institutionalized individual, with no reference to the individual's underlying medical condition. Only the 209(b) states are allowed to use more objective criteria, such as a professional medical diagnosis or the duration of stay, to assess the likelihood that the individual might return to his home. A mechanism that is available to non-209(b) states is to restrict the institutionalized individual's income allowance so much that the individual can no longer cover property taxes and maintenance costs, forcing her to sell her home. However, individuals may be able to resist such "squeezes" by using reverse mortgages to fund taxes and maintenance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005c).

Once an individual dies, his home ceases to be protected. The Omnibus omnibus: see bus.  Reconciliation Act of 1993 requires states to seek from beneficiary beneficiary

Person or entity (e.g., a charity or estate) that receives a benefit from something (e.g., a trust, life-insurance policy, or contract). A primary beneficiary receives proceeds from a trust or insurance policy before any other.
 estates reimbursement Reimbursement

Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred.
 for long-term care, both in-house and institutional, and services provided concurrently with long-term care. However, states cannot pursue homes occupied by the beneficiary's spouse or dependents (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005d). Furthermore, because the state may be one of many claimants to the estate, and given the general complexity of estate law--which in a few states explicitly protects estates from Medicaid claims--Medicaid collects relatively little money from estates. (13) In 2004, estate recoveries equaled 0.8 percent of Medicaid spending on nursing homes, with the most successful state, Oregon Oregon, city, United States
Oregon, city (1990 pop. 18,334), Lucas co., NW Ohio, a suburb adjacent to Toledo, on Lake Erie; inc. 1958. It is a port with railroad-owned and -operated docks. The city has industries producing oil, chemicals, and metal products.
, recovering 5.8 percent of its nursing home expenditures (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005a). Table 5 provides information on asset recovery practices and outcomes.

One device states use to enhance their recovery prospects is to place liens on their beneficiaries' assets. The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TERFA) of 1982 allows states to place liens on the homes of permanently institutionalized Medicaid beneficiaries. After the beneficiary dies, states may also place "post-death" liens on her estate (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005b).

TERFA liens can help states protect themselves from abuses of the "intent to return" provision. While the intent to return is generally based on the subjective opinion of the beneficiary himself, TERFA liens may be established on the basis of objective criteria (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005b). Table 6 (p. 30) summarizes the criteria states use.

TERFA liens also protect states if a beneficiary attempts to transfer the house to a third party (for example, a child) prior to applying for Medicaid. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 extended Medicaid's "look-back" period from the three years preceding application to five years. Transfers made during the look-back period are subject to Medicaid review. If the applicant is found to have made a net transfer, that is, sold some of his assets at prices below their fair market value, his eligibility will be delayed (ElderLawNet, Inc., 2011).

The degree to which elderly individuals transfer their assets in order to become eligible for Medicaid has been the subject of several studies. These studies find that the elderly transfer little if any of their money to their heirs for the purpose of making themselves eligible for Medicaid. Thus, extending the look-back period past five years or more aggressive pursuit of transferred assets is unlikely to defray de·fray  
tr.v. de·frayed, de·fray·ing, de·frays
To undertake the payment of (costs or expenses); pay.



[French défrayer, from Old French desfrayer : des-,
 much of Medicaid's expenses. Norton Nor·ton   , Charles Eliot 1827-1908.

American educator, writer, and editor who founded the Nation (1865).
 (1995) argues that elderly individuals are more likely to receive transfers in an attempt to avoid Medicaid. In contrast, Bassett Bassett is a surname, and may refer to:
  • Angela Bassett
  • Billy Bassett
  • Carling Bassett-Seguso
  • Charles Bassett
  • Charlie Bassett (lawman)
  • Cyril Royston Guyton Bassett
  • Dave Bassett
  • Douglas Bassett
  • Earl Bassett
  • Ebenezer Bassett
 (2007) finds that "the self-assessed probability of entering a nursing home is a significant determinant determinant, a polynomial expression that is inherent in the entries of a square matrix. The size n of the square matrix, as determined from the number of entries in any row or column, is called the order of the determinant.  of making an asset transfer." Bassett estimates that in 1993 there were about $1 billion "Medicaid-induced" asset transfers, equaling about 3 percent of total Medicaid expenditures. Many of the people making the transfers, however, did not receive Medicaid long-term care benefits, implying a smaller final cost to Medicaid. Waidmann and Liu (2006) study asset transfers over the period 1995 to 2004. They conclude that "even the most aggressive pursuit of transferred assets would recover only about 1 percent of total Medicaid spending for long-term care." Reviewing the literature, O'Brien O'Bri·en   , Edna Born 1932.

Irish writer whose works, including The Lonely Girl (1962) and Johnny I Hardly Knew You (1977), explore the lives of women in modern-day Ireland.

Noun 1.
 (2005) concludes that the evidence "do[es] not support the claim that asset transfers are widespread or costly to Medicaid." In summary, the evidence is mixed whether the elderly give or receive transfers to affect their Medicaid eligibility. However, there is a clear consensus that these transfers are small relative to the size of Medicaid transfers.

The noninstitutionalized medically needy

The structure of Medicaid coverage for noninstitutionalized medically needy individuals is similar to that for those in institutions. Individuals with specific needs, such as home health care, can qualify under provisions tailored to those needs. Individuals not qualifying under these limited provisions can qualify under the general medically needy provision, if their state offers it.

Individuals needing long-term care can often substitute home-based care for care at a nursing home or another institution. To promote the use of home-based care, states can utilize 1915(c) home- and community-based service care (HCBS) waivers, which give them additional flexibility in how they provide these services (Carpenter, 2000). Services that can be offered under an HCBS waiver The voluntary surrender of a known right; conduct supporting an inference that a particular right has been relinquished.

The term waiver is used in many legal contexts.
 range from traditional medical services, such as dental care and skilled nursing services, to nonmedical services, such as case management and environment modification.

In most states, the income test used for 1915(c) waivers is the same as the one used for expanded nursing home coverage, namely 300 percent of the SSI limit. Other states (for example, California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). ) impose more stringent tests. As Table 4 shows, many states (including Arizona Arizona (âr'əzō`nə), state in the southwestern United States. It is bordered by Utah (N), New Mexico (E), Mexico (S), and, across the Colorado R., Nevada and California (W). ) allow the use of Miller trusts. As with the expanded nursing home program, beneficiaries are expected to direct their income toward the cost of their expenses. The income allowances, however, vary greatly across states (Walker and Accius Accius, a Latin poet of the 16th century, to whom is attributed a paraphrase of Aesop's Fables, of which Julius Scaliger speaks with great praise. References , 2010).

The asset limits for 1915(c) applicants are the ones for the categorically needy (Stone, 2002). Housing is excluded from the asset test, but the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 requires states to pursue estates to recover the cost of long-term care. On the other hand, states do not have to pursue these costs if they decide it would not be cost-effective (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005d). Given the limited success of state cost recovery efforts in general, such efforts are unlikely to play a large role in the case at hand.

Some states limit access by requiring 1915(c) beneficiaries to exhibit difficulties in performing at least three "activities of daily living" (bathing, dressing, grooming, and so on); functional eligibility for nursing homes requires only two. Most states impose limits on how much they spend per year for home and community-based service care. Furthermore, states are free to choose how many applications to approve. They are also free to limit the number of waivers. (14) Many states have more individuals in need of waivers than open "slots," and thus operate waiting lists (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2009). Table 7 summarizes the 1915(c) HCBS waiver programs offered by each state.

In addition to utilizing 1915(c) waivers, states can provide HBCS services under two other provisions: the federally mandated home health benefit provided by all states; and the optional personal care benefit, which in 2006 was provided by 31 states. In 2006, the two programs incurred 34 percent of total HCBS expenditures and assisted 61 percent of the HCBS beneficiaries. Most states screened applicants to these programs with the income and asset tests for categorically needy recipients. There is variation in the financial eligibility limits states require to get this benefit. Some states keep it at the 300 percent level, but others restrict it further. Many states also provide a medically needy spend-down option (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2009).

The noninstitutionalized medically needy: Other pathways

For individuals unable to qualify under any of the preceding pathways, the Medically Needy provision provides an important "last chance" opportunity to qualify for Medicaid (Crowley Crowley (krou`lē), city (1990 pop. 13,983), seat of Acadia parish, SW La.; inc. 1888. It is a shipping, milling, and storage center for a large rice-growing area and has a rice experiment station. Oil and natural gas wells are located nearby. , 2003). The income and asset levels for the noninstitutionalized Medically Needy applicants are the same as the ones for institutionalized individuals presented in table 4. Similarly, noninstitutionalized individuals with high incomes end up paying most if not all of their medical expenses before they receive aid.

Because the income limits for the Medically Needy provision are usually stricter than the limits for the "income needy" (for example, the SSI recipients, dual eligibles, and certain HCBS beneficiaries), noninstitutionalized individuals also face a possible discontinuity dis·con·ti·nu·i·ty  
n. pl. dis·con·ti·nu·i·ties
1. Lack of continuity, logical sequence, or cohesion.

2. A break or gap.

3. Geology A surface at which seismic wave velocities change.
 in coverage. In consequence, the penalty to being Medically Needy rather than income needy may be significant.

By way of example, consider two individuals in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (pĕnsəlvā`nyə), one of the Middle Atlantic states of the United States. It is bordered by New Jersey, across the Delaware River (E), Delaware (SE), Maryland (S), West Virginia (SW), Ohio (W), and Lake Erie and New York . Both individuals require health care costing $500 per month. The first individual has a monthly income of $900 per month, which in Pennsylvania allows him to qualify as categorically needy (table 2). This person pays nothing for medical care. The second individual has a monthly income of $1,100 and does not qualify as categorically needy. Deducting medical expenses leaves her with a net income of $600, which is above Pennsylvania's Medically Needy net income limit (table 4). In short, receiving an additional $200 of income costs the second person $500 of Medicaid benefits. The quantitative importance of these discontinuities is of course an empirical matter, depending both on the formal provisions and their practical application by Medicaid administrators.

Discussion

In a number of recent studies, the joint effect of Medicaid and public assistance programs such as SSI is modeled as a consumption floor: If an individual is not able to cover her medical expenses and purchase a minimal amount of consumption, the government will cover the difference (Hubbard, Skinner, and Zeldes, 1995; Palumbo, 1999; De Nardi, French, and Jones, 2010; French and Jones, 2011). Is this a reasonable approximation approximation /ap·prox·i·ma·tion/ (ah-prok?si-ma´shun)
1. the act or process of bringing into proximity or apposition.

2. a numerical value of limited accuracy.
 of the Medicaid system?

Our review suggests that the effective consumption floor provided by Medicaid varies greatly by income and asset levels, as well as medical conditions See carpal tunnel syndrome, computer vision syndrome, dry eyes and deep vein thrombosis. . Individuals in nursing homes are given much smaller allowances, and are more likely to forfeit To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a  the value of their house, than noninstitutionalized individuals. This distinction has been recognized by Brown and Finkelstein (2008), among others. The extent to which institutionalized individuals must surrender their homes depends on a number of factors, including the interpretation of the intent to return, the willingness of the state to impose liens, and the effectiveness of estate recovery, all of which vary across states.

We also find the potential for discontinuities in coverage. Medicaid recipients can be placed in two groups. The first group is the income needy, who receive benefits because they have low incomes. Income-needy individuals include those receiving expanded nursing home coverage, many recipients of HCBS services, and dual eligibles, as well as the categorically needy. The second group is the expenditure needy, who receive benefits because their medical expenses are large relative to their income. This group includes individuals utilizing Miller trusts, as well as the Medically Needy. In some cases, the net income (income less medical expenses) limits for the medically needy are stricter than the income limits for the income needy. This raises the possibility that the income needy receive more generous coverage. We believe that the scope for such unequal treatment is greatest for noninstitutionalized individuals.

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NOTES

(1) Figure is taken from the Kaiser Family Foundation The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), or just Kaiser Family Foundation, is a U.S.-based non-profit, private operating foundation headquartered in Menlo Park, California.  (2010).

(2) Figures are taken from the 2010 Medicaid Actuarial ac·tu·ar·y  
n. pl. ac·tu·ar·ies
A statistician who computes insurance risks and premiums.



[Latin
 Report (Office of the Actuary actuary

One who calculates insurance risks and premiums. Actuaries compute the probability of the occurrence of such events as birth, marriage, illness, accidents, and death.
, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and , 2010) for those who are "aged." Data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System show that over 0.6 million disabled people are also aged 65 and older.

(3) Figures are taken from the US. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2011, tables 3.1 and 3.12.

(4) Data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS MSIS Medicaid Statistical Information System (formerly MedStat)
MSIS Marine Safety Information System
MSIS Man-Systems Integration Standards
MSIS Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter
MSIS Master of Science Information Systems
) cited in figure 1 show $68.3 billion, but these data do not include certain payments such as Medicare premiums paid for dual eligibles. For this reason, the MSIS data likely understate un·der·state  
v. un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing, un·der·states

v.tr.
1. To state with less completeness or truth than seems warranted by the facts.

2.
 dual eligibles" share of total expenditures. Also, the MSIS categories are slightly different from those in figure 1. However, virtually all "cash recipients" over age 65 are those receiving SSI and virtually all "poverty related" individuals over age 65 are dual eligibles.

(5) Sheltered workshops are organizations that provide employment to people with disabilities (Sheltered Workshops. Inc, 2011).

(6) In addition to food stamps, the exempt categories include income that is set aside toward an approved plan for achieving self support Plan to Achieve Self Support, also known as a "PASS", is a program offered to the US citizens by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disabled or blind individuals who receive or could qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  (used by the blind and disabled to pay off educational or vocational costs), and certain types of assistance for home energy needs.

(7) The remainder of this section utilizes overviews by Stone (2002), Walker and Accius (2010), and the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (2010).

(8) Prior to the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act in 1993, it was acceptable to place extra income in a self-created discretionary fired to acquire Medicaid coverage. Since 1993, apart from limited trusts such as the Miller or Qualified Income trusts, most discretionary trust An arrangement whereby property is set aside with directions that it be used for the benefit of another, the beneficiary, and which provides that the trustee (one appointed or required by law to administer the property) has the right to accumulate, rather than pay out to the  funds are treated as countable income or assets and may restrict people from obtaining Medicaid (see Goldfarb, 2005).

(9) The mandate is in the 2000 House Bill 1111, Section 11.445, which specifies that an individual eligible for or receiving nursing home care must be given the opportunity to have those Medicaid dollars follow them to the community and to choose the personal care option in the community that best meets their needs (Niesz, 2002).

(10) This raises the possibility of a discontinuity in coverage. An individual whose income is $1 above the categorically needy limit may need to spend a considerable amount to qualify under the Medically Needy provision. However, in practice the discontinuity in coverage is unimportant un·im·por·tant  
adj.
Not important; petty.



unim·portance n.
 in most cases because institutionalized Medicaid recipients must spend almost all of their income on their care. The median cost of nursing home care was $5,550 per month in 2010. Whether an individual's income is slightly more or less than 300 percent of the SSI limit ($674 x 3 = $2,022), Medicaid will still provide a nursing home, but all of their income must be put toward the cost of the nursing home.

(11) If a spouse or dependent resides in the house, the equity limits do not apply (ElderLawNet, Inc., 2011).

(12) The inclusion of housing in the asset tests for institutionalized individuals applies to the categorically needy as well as the medically needy. Most categorically needy individuals, however, do not hold significant housing equity (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005c).

(13) States do not have to pursue an estate if they determine pursuit would not be cost-effective. The definition of "cost-effective," not surprisingly, varies across states (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005d).

(14) For example, New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E).  and Michigan Michigan (mĭsh`ĭgən), upper midwestern state of the United States. It consists of two peninsulas thrusting into the Great Lakes and has borders with Ohio and Indiana (S), Wisconsin (W), and the Canadian province of Ontario (N,E).  limit 1915(c) waivers for the aged to those who are also disabled. Only two states, Arizona and Vermont Vermont (vərmŏnt`) [Fr.,=green mountain], New England state of the NE United States. It is bordered by New Hampshire, across the Connecticut R. , do not offer HCBS waivers, and Arizona offers a similar program.

Mariacristina De Nardi is a senior economist and research advisor; Eric French is a senior economist and research advisor; and Angshuman Gooptu is an associate economist in the Economic Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Coordinates:

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of twelve regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.
. John Bailey Jones is an associate professor of economics at the University at Albany, State University of New York (body) State University of New York - (SUNY) The public university system of New York State, USA, with campuses throughout the state. , and a consultant to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The authors thank Daisy Chen, John Klemm, and representatives of Medicaid offices in Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin Wisconsin, state, United States
Wisconsin (wĭskŏn`sən, –sĭn), upper midwestern state of the United States. It is bounded by Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, from which it is divided by the Menominee
, and Ohio, who helped verify (1) To prove the correctness of data.

(2) In data entry operations, to compare the keystrokes of a second operator with the data entered by the first operator to ensure that the data were typed in accurately. See validate.
 the facts in this paper, and a referee A judicial officer who presides over civil hearings but usually does not have the authority or power to render judgment.

Referees are usually appointed by a judge in the district in which the judge presides.
 and Richard Porter for comments.

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ISSN ISSN
abbr.
International Standard Serial Number
 0164-0682
TABLE 1
State SSI supplements (in 2010 dollars) for aged individuals
living independently  (selected -years, 1975-2009)

State              1975   1980   1985   1990   1996   2002   2009

Alaska              575    622    529    552    503    439    588
California          409    482    363    407    217    249    233
Colorado            109    146    118     90     78     45     25
Connecticut           0    270    286    611      0    245    171
District of           0     40     30     25      7      0    233
 Columbia
Hawaii               69     40     10      8      7      6    370
Idaho               255    196    158    122     51     63     27
Illinois (a)         NA     NA     NA     NA     NA     NA     NA
Maine                41     26     20     17     14     12    233
Massachusetts       450    363    261    215    175    156    233
Michigan             49     64     55     50     19     17    233
Minnesota           126     90     71    125    113     98    233
Nebraska            271    199    140     63     17     10    233
Nevada              223    124     73     60     50     44     37
New Hampshire        49    122     55     45     38     33     41
New Jersey           97     61     63     52     43     38    233
New York            247    167    124    144    120    105     95
Oklahoma            109    209    122    107     75     64     45
Oregon               69     32      4      3      3      2      2
Pennsylvania         81     85     65     53     38     33    233
Rhode Island        126    111    109    107     89     78    233
South Dakota          0     40     30     25     21     18     15
Utah                  0     26     20     10      0      0    233
Vermont             117    109    107    105     65     72    246
Washington          146    114     77     47     35     32     47
Wisconsin           284    265    203    172    117    102     85
Wyoming               0     53     41     33     14     12     25

(a) Illinois supplements are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Notes: Converted to 2010 dollars using Consumer Price Index data
from Haver Analytics. NA indicates not applicable.

Sources: For 1975-2002, U.S. House of Representatives, House Ways
and Means Committee (2004); for 2009, Social Security
Administration (2009b).

TABLE 2
Income and asset limits (in $) for SSI Medicaid recipients, 2009

                                          Maximum
                          SSI and         federal
                         Medicaid       SSI benefit
                           asset        plus state    Disregarded
State                  limit (b, d)     supplement      income

Non-209(b) states
Alabama                         2,000           674            20
Alaska,                         2,000         1,262            20
Arizona                      No limit           903            20
Arkansas                        2,000           674            20
California                      2,000           907           230
Colorado                        2,000           699            20
Delaware                        2,000           674            20
District of                     4,000           907            20
 Columbia
Florida                         5,000           674            20
Georgia                         2,000           674            20
Idaho                           2,000           701            20
Iowa                            2,000           674            20
Kansas                          2,000           674            20
Kentucky                        2,000           674            20
Louisiana                       2,000           674            20
Maine                           2,000           907            75
Maryland                        2,500           674            20
Massachusetts                   2,000           907            20
Michigan                        2,000           907            20
Mississippi                     4,000           724            50
Montana                         2,000           674            20
Nebraska                        4,000           907            20
Nevada                          2,000           711            20
New Jersey                      4,000           907            20
New Mexico                      2,000           674            20
New York                        4,350           769            20
North Carolina                  2,000           903            20
Oregon                          4,000           676            20
Pennsylvania                    2,000           907            20
Rhode Island                    4,000           907            20
South Carolina                  4,000           903            20
South Dakota                    2,000           689            20
Tennessee                       2,000           674            20
Texas                           2,000           674            20
Utah                            2,000           907            20
Vermont                         2,000           920            20
Washington                      2,000           721            20
West Virginia                   2,000           674            20
Wisconsin                       2,000           759            20
Wyoming                         2,000           699            20

209(b) states
                           SSI: 2,000
Connecticut            Medicaid 1,600           845           278
Hawaii,                         2,000         1,044            20
Illinois                        2,000           674            25
                           SSI: 2,000
Indiana               Medicaid: 1,500           674            20
Minnesota                       3,000           907            20
                           SSI: 2,000
Missouri,             Medicaid: 1,000           768            20
                           SSI: 2,000
New Hampshire (c)     Medicaid: 1,500           715            13
North Dakota                    3,000           674            20
Ohio                       SSI: 2,000
                      Medicaid: 1,500           674            20
Oklahoma                        2,000           719            20
Virginia                        2,000           722            20

                        Monthly
                        (earned)
                         income
                       limit for
                      SSI/Medicaid
State                 eligibility

Non-209(b) states
Alabama                      1,433
Alaska,                      2,609
Arizona                      1,891
Arkansas                     1,433
California                   2,109
Colorado                     1,483
Delaware                     1,433
District of                  1,899
 Columbia
Florida                      1,433
Georgia                      1,433
Idaho                        1,487
Iowa                         1,433
Kansas                       1,433
Kentucky                     1,433
Louisiana                    1,433
Maine                        1,954
Maryland                     1,433
Massachusetts                1,899
Michigan                     1,899
Mississippi                  1,563
Montana                      1,433
Nebraska                     1,899
Nevada                       1,507
New Jersey                   1,899
New Mexico                   1,433
New York                     1,623
North Carolina               1,891
Oregon                       1,437
Pennsylvania                 1,899
Rhode Island                 1,899
South Carolina               1,891
South Dakota                 1,463
Tennessee                    1,433
Texas                        1,433
Utah                         1,899
Vermont                      1,925
Washington                   1,527
West Virginia                1,433
Wisconsin                    1,603
Wyoming                      1,483

209(b) states

Connecticut                  2,033
Hawaii,                      2,173
Illinois                     1,438

Indiana                      1,433
Minnesota                    1,899

Missouri,                    1,621

New Hampshire (c)            1,508
North Dakota                 1,433
Ohio
                             1,433
Oklahoma                     1,523
Virginia                     1,529

(a) Based on Alaska Public Assistance payments.

(b) Disabled individuals under the age of 65 face no asset
limits.

(c) individuals receiving reduced SSI benefits may not qualify
for Medicaid.

(d) In 209(b) states, SSI and Medicaid asset limits are sometimes
different.

Source: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (2010b).

TABLE 3
Income and asset limits (in $) for dual eligibles, 2010

                     Monthly   Monthly   Monthly
                     income    income    income         Income
                     limit,    limit,    limit,       disregard
State                 QMBs      SLMBs      QIs          amount

Non-209(b) states
Alabama                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Alaska                 1,108     1,333     1,503             20
Arizona                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Arkansas                 903     1,083     1,219             20
California               903     1,083     1,219             20
Colorado                 903     1,083     1,219             20
Delaware                 903     1,083     1,219             20
                                                    QMB: 1,803;
District of            2,706     2,708       NA    SLMB: 1,625;
 Columbia                                                QI: NA
Florida                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Georgia                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Idaho                    903     1,083     1,219             20
Iowa                     903     1,083     1,219             20
Kansas                   903     1,083     1,219             20
Kentucky                 903     1,083     1,219             20
Louisiana                903     1,083     1,219             20
Maine                  1,354     1,535     1,670             75
Maryland                 902     1,083     1,218             20
Massachusetts            903     1,083     1,219             20
Michigan                 903     1,083     1,219             20
Mississippi              903     1,083     1,219             50
Montana                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Nebraska                 903     1,083     1,219             20
Nevada                   903     1,083     1,219             20
New Jersey               903     1,083     1,219             20
New Mexico               903     1,083     1,219             20
New York                 903     1,083     1,219             20
North Carolina           903     1,083     1,219             20
Oregon                   903     1,083     1,219             20
Pennsylvania             903     1,083     1,219             20
Rhode Island             903     1,083     1,219             20
South Carolina           903     1,083     1,219             20
South Dakota             903     1,083     1,219             20
Tennessee                903     1,083     1,219             20
Texas                    903     1,083     1,219             20
Utah                     903     1,083     1,219             20
Vermont                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Washington               903     1,083     1,219             20
West Virginia            903     1,083     1,219             20
Wisconsin                903     1,083     1,219             20
Wyoming                  903     1,083     1,219             20
209(b) states
                                                      QMB: 876;
Connecticut            1,779     1,960     2,092     SLMB: 877;
                                                        Q1: 873
Hawaii                 1,039     1,246     1,402             20
Illinois                 903     1,083     1,219             25
Indiana                  903     1,083     1,219             20
Minnesota                903     1,083     1,219             20
Missouri                 903     1,083     1,219             20
New Hampshire            903     1,083     1,219             13
North Dakota             903     1,083     1,219             20
Ohio                     903     1,083     1,219             20
Oklahoma                 903     1,083     1,219             20
Virginia                 903     1,083     1,219             20

                      Asset
State                 limit

Non-209(b) states
Alabama              No limit
Alaska                  6,600
Arizona              No limit
Arkansas                6,600
California              6,600
Colorado                6,600
Delaware             No limit

District of          No limit
 Columbia
Florida                 6,600
Georgia                 6,600
Idaho                   6,600
Iowa                    6,600
Kansas                  6,600
Kentucky                6,600
Louisiana               6,600
Maine                No limit
Maryland                6,600
Massachusetts           6,600
Michigan                6,600
Mississippi          No limit
Montana                 6,600
Nebraska                6,600
Nevada                  6,600
New Jersey              6,600
New Mexico              6,600
New York             No limit
North Carolina          6,600
Oregon                  6,600
Pennsylvania            6,600
Rhode Island            6,600
South Carolina          6,600
South Dakota            6,600
Tennessee               6,600
Texas                   6,600
Utah                    6,600
Vermont              No limit
Washington              6,600
West Virginia           6,600
Wisconsin               6,600
Wyoming                 6,600
209(b) states

Connecticut          No limit

Hawaii                  6,600
Illinois                6,600
Indiana                 6,600
Minnesota              10,000
Missouri                6,600
New Hampshire           6,600
North Dakota            6,600
Ohio                    6,600
Oklahoma                6,600
Virginia                6,600

Notes: OMB indicates qualified Medicare beneficiaries; SLMB
indicates specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries; and QI
indicates qualified individuals. NA indicates not applicable.

Source: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2010b.

TABLE 4
Income and asset limits (in $) for institutionalized medically
needy Medicaid recipients, 2009

                                                 Income limit
                                                 (income less
                                  Asset            medical
State                Coverage     limit           expenses)

Non-209(b) states
Alabama              No             NA                        NA
Alaska               No             NA                        NA
Arizona              Yes         5,000 (b)                   360
Arkansas             Yes         2,000                       108
California           Yes         2,000                       600
Colorado             No             NA                        NA
Delaware             No             NA                        NA
District of          Yes         4,000                       577
 Columbia
Florida              Yes         5,000                       180
Georgia              Yes         2,000                       317
Idaho                No             NA                        NA
Iowa                 Yes        10,000                       483
Kansas               Yes         2,000                       495
Kentucky             Yes         2,000                       217
                                                      Urban: 100;
Louisiana            Yes         2,000                 Rural: 92
Maine                Yes         2,000                       903
Maryland             Yes         2,500                       350
Massachusetts        Yes         2,000                     9,035 (d)
                                                   Region 1: 341;
                                                   Region 2: 341;
                                                   Region 3: 350;
                                                   Region 4: 375;
                                                   Region 5: 391;
Michigan             Yes         2,000             Region 6: 408
Mississippi          No             NA                        NA
Montana              Yes         2,000                       625
Nebraska             Yes         4,000                       392
Nevada               No             NA                        NA
New Jersey           Yes         4,000                       367
New Mexico           No             NA                        NA
New York             Yes         2,000                       767
North Carolina       Yes         2,000                       242
Oregon               No             NA                        NA
Pennsylvania         Yes         2,400                       425
Rhode Island         Yes         4,000                       800
South Carolina       No             NA                        NA
South Dakota         No             NA                        NA
Tennessee            Yes         2,000                       241
Texas                No             NA                        NA
Utah                 Yes         2,000                       370
                                                             916
                                                        (991 for
Vermont              Yes         2,000               Chittenden)
Washington           Yes         2,000                       674
West Virginia        Yes         2,000                       200
Wisconsin            Yes         2,000                       592
Wyoming              No             NA                        NA

209(b) states
                                                   Region A: 576;
Connecticut          Yes         1,600      Regions B and C: 476
Hawaii               Yes         2,000                       469
Illinois             Yes         2,000                       903
Indiana              No,            NA                        NA
Minnesota            Yes         3,000                       677
Missouri             No,            NA                        NA
New Hampshire        Yes         2,500                       591
North Dakota         Yes         3,000                       750
Ohio                 No (e)         NA                        NA
Oklahoma             No (e)         NA                        NA
                                                    Group I: 281;
                                                   Group II: 324;
Virginia (f)         Yes         2,000            Group III: 421

                     Expanded        Income
                     nursing       allowed if            Home
                       home     institutionalized       equity
State                coverage        in 2003             limit

Non-209(b) states
Alabama              Yes                      NA        500,000
Alaska               Yes (a)                  NA        500,000
Arizona              Yes                   76.65        500,000
Arkansas             Yes                      40        500,000
California           No                       35        750,000
Colorado             Yes                      NA        500,000
Delaware             Yes (c)                  NA        500,000
District of          No                       70        750,000
 Columbia
Florida              Yes                      35        500,000
Georgia              Yes                      30        500,000
Idaho                Yes                      NA        750,000
Iowa                 Yes                      30        500,000
Kansas               Yes                      30        500,000
Kentucky             Yes                      40        500,000

Louisiana            Yes                      38        500,000
Maine                Yes                      40        750,000
Maryland             Yes                      40        500,000
Massachusetts        No                    60-65        750,000

Michigan             Yes                      60        500,000
Mississippi          Yes                      NA        500,000
Montana              Yes                      40        500,000
Nebraska             Yes                      50    Disregarded (c)
Nevada               Yes                      NA        500,000
New Jersey           Yes                      40        750,000
New Mexico           Yes                      NA        750,000
New York             No                       50        750,000
North Carolina       No                       30        500,000
Oregon               Yes                      NA        500,000
Pennsylvania         Yes                      30        500,000
Rhode Island         Yes                      50        500,000
South Carolina       Yes                      NA        500,000
South Dakota         Yes                      NA        500,000
Tennessee            Yes                      30        500,000
Texas                Yes                      NA        500,000
Utah                 Yes                      45        500,000

Vermont              Yes                   47.66        500,000
Washington           Yes                   41.62        500,000
West Virginia        Yes                      NA        500,000
Wisconsin            Yes                      45        750,000
Wyoming              Yes                      NA        500,000

209(b) states

Connecticut          Yes                      54        750,000
Hawaii               No                       30        750,000
Illinois             No                       30         NA
Indiana              No                       NA        500,000
Minnesota            No                       69        500,000
Missouri             No                       NA        500,000
New Hampshire        Yes                      50        500,000
North Dakota         No                       40        500,000
Ohio                 Yes                      NA        500,000
Oklahoma             Yes                      NA        500,000

Virginia (f)         Yes                      30        500,000

                     State-
                     allowed
                     Miller
State                 trust

Non-209(b) states
Alabama              Yes
Alaska               Yes
Arizona              Yes
Arkansas             Yes
California           No
Colorado             Yes
Delaware             Yes
District of          No
 Columbia
Florida              Yes
Georgia              No
Idaho                Yes
Iowa                 Yes
Kansas               No
Kentucky             No

Louisiana            No
Maine                No
Maryland             No
Massachusetts        No

Michigan             No
Mississippi          Yes
Montana              No
Nebraska             No
Nevada               Yes
New Jersey           No
New Mexico           Yes
New York             No
North Carolina       No
Oregon               Yes
Pennsylvania         No
Rhode Island         No
South Carolina       Yes
South Dakota         Yes
Tennessee            No
Texas                Yes
Utah                 No

Vermont              No
Washington           No
West Virginia        No
Wisconsin            No
Wyoming              Yes

209(b) states

Connecticut          No
Hawaii               No
Illinois             No
Indiana              No
Minnesota            No
Missouri             No
New Hampshire        No
North Dakota         No
Ohio                 Yes
Oklahoma             Yes

Virginia (f)         No

NA indicates not applicable.

(a) Income limit frozen at $1,656.

(b) Liquid asset limit-total assets, including housing, cannot
exceed $100,000.

(c) Income limit set at 250 percent, rather than 300 percent, of
SSI limit.

(d) Limit is $1,200 for those with professional care assistance.

(e) State is required to offer a spend-down provision.

(f) The state of Virginia is split into three groups, each with a
different Medically Needy income limit.

Source: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (2010b);
Miller trust information from Stone (2002).

TABLE 5
Share of Medicaid nursing home expenses
collected from estates

                        Medicaid collections/
State                   nursing home costs (%)

Alabama                  0.8
Alaska                   0.0
Arizona                 10.4 (a)
Arkansas                 0.4
California               1.5
Colorado                 1.5
Connecticut              0.8
Delaware                 0.3
District of Columbia     1.0
Florida                  0.6
Georgia                  0.0
Hawaii                   0.9
Idaho                    4.5
Illinois                 1.3
Indiana                  1.8
Iowa                     2.9
Kansas                   1.4
Kentucky                 0.9
Louisiana                0.0
Maine                    2.5
Maryland                 0.6
Massachusetts            2.0
Michigan                 0.0
Minnesota                2.8
Mississippi              0.1
Missouri                 1.1
Montana                  1.4
Nebraska                 0.3
Nevada                   0.3
New Hampshire            1.6
New Jersey               0.6
New Mexico               0.0
New York                 0.5
North Carolina           0.5
North Dakota             1.2
Ohio                     0.5
Oklahoma                 0.3
Oregon                   5.8
Pennsylvania             0.1
Rhode Island             1.0
South Carolina           1.3
South Dakota             1.0
Tennessee                0.9
Texas                    0.0
Utah                     0.0
Vermont                  0.4
Virginia                 0.1
Washington               1.8
West Virginia            0.1
Wisconsin                1.8
Wyoming                  2.7

(a) Results for Arizona are not comparable to those for other
states because of data issues arising from the extensive use of
prepaid managed care contracts.

Sources: Probate data--Karp, Sabatino, and Wood (2005), policy
range and collections data--U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (2005a).

TABLE 6
Decision criteria for TERFA liens

                                 Number of
                    Length        months       Intent
                    of stay     triggering    to return   Physician's
State             presumption   presumption     home      declaration

Alabama                  Yes              3        Yes           Yes
Arkansas                 Yes              4        Yes           Yes
California               Yes             No         No            No
Connecticut              Yes              6        Yes           Yes
Delaware                 Yes             24        Yes            No
Hawaii                   Yes              6        Yes           Yes
Idaho                    Yes            Yes         No            No
Illinois                 Yes              4        Yes            No
Indiana                   NR            Yes        Yes           Yes
Maryland                 Yes             NR        Yes           Yes
Massachusetts            Yes              6        Yes           Yes
Minnesota                Yes              6        Yes            No
Montana                  Yes            Yes         No            No
New Hampshire            Yes             No         No            No
New York                 Yes             No         No            No
Oklahoma                 Yes              6        Yes           Yes
South Dakota             Yes            Yes         No            No
West Virginia             NR             NR        Yes            No
Wyoming                   NR             No         NR            NR

                     Other
                  third-party
State             evaluation    Other

Alabama                   No      No
Arkansas                  No      No
California                No      No
Connecticut              Yes     Yes
Delaware                  No      No
Hawaii                    No      No
Idaho                     No      No
Illinois                  No      No
Indiana                  Yes     Yes
Maryland                  No     Yes
Massachusetts            Yes      No
Minnesota                 No      No
Montana                   No     Yes
New Hampshire             No     Yes
New York                  No      No
Oklahoma                  No      No
South Dakota              No     Yes
West Virginia             No     Yes
Wyoming                   NR      NR

Notes: TERFA is the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act
of 1982. NR indicates no response.

Source: Karp, Sabatino, and Wood (2005).

TABLE 7
Eligibility criteria for Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers, 2008

                                               Income limit
                     Income limit              for the aged/
                     for the aged   Waiting      disabled
                      (% of SSI     list for     (% of SSI
States                limit) (a)    the aged    limit) (a)

Non-209(b) States
Alabama                                             300, MT
Alaska                   300, MT           0
Arizona                   NP (d)
Arkansas                 300, MT           0
California                                              100
Colorado                                            300, MT
Delaware                 100, MT           0        250, MT
District of                                             300
 Columbia
Florida                  300, MT           0        300, MT
Georgia                                             300, MT
Idaho                                               300, MT
Iowa                     300, MT           0
Kansas                       300           0
Kentucky                                            300, MT
Louisiana                                               300
Maine                                                   300
Maryland                     300       6,000
Massachusetts                100           0
Michigan                                                300
Mississippi                                         300, MT
Montana                                                 100
Nebraska                                                100
Nevada                   300, MT         343        300, MT
New Jersey                                              300
New Mexico                                              300
New York                                            300, MT
North Carolina                                          100
Oregon                                              300, MT
Pennsylvania                  300          0
Rhode Island                  300          0            300
South Carolina                                      300, MT
South Dakota             300, MT           0
Tennessee                                           300, MT
Texas                                               300, MT
Utah                          300          0
Vermont                       NP
Washington                                              300
West Virginia                                           300
Wisconsin                                               300
Wyoming                                             300, MT

209(b) states
Connecticut                                             300
Hawaii                                                  100
Illinois                      100          0            100
Indiana                                             100, MT
Minnesota                     300          0
Missouri                                                100
New Hampshire                 100          0
North Dakota                                            100
Ohio                                                300, MT
Oklahoma                                            300, MT
Virginia                      300          0            300

                      Waiting    Tougher
                     list for    functional               Income
                     the aged/   requirements; (b)      allowed,
States               disabled    cost limits              (in $)

Non-209(b) States
Alabama                  7,094   Yes; yes                     UL
Alaska                           No; yes                    1,656
Arizona
Arkansas                         No; yes                      UL
California               1,200   No; yes                   <2,022
Colorado                     0   No; no                     2,022
Delaware                     0   Yes; no                    1,685
District of                  0   No; yes                    2,022
 Columbia
Florida                 12,684   Yes; yes                     674
Georgia                    763   Yes; no                      674
Idaho                        0   No; no                       674 (e)
Iowa                             No; yes                    2,022
Kansas                           Yes; yes                     727
Kentucky                     0   No; yes                      694
Louisiana                8,433   No; yes                    2,022
Maine                        0   No; yes                    1,128
Maryland                         No, yes                    2,022
Massachusetts                    No; no                     2,022
Michigan                 3,404   No; no                     2,022
Mississippi              6,000   Yes; yes                     UL
Montana                    600   No; yes                      625
Nebraska                     0   No; yes                      903
Nevada                       0   No; no                       UL
New Jersey                   0   No; yes                    2,022
New Mexico               5,000   No; no                       UL
New York                     0   Yes; yes                     787
North Carolina           6,000   No; yes                      903
Oregon                       0   No; yes                    1,822
Pennsylvania                     No; yes                    2,022
Rhode Island                99   No; no                       923
South Carolina           2,016   No; yes                    2,022
South Dakota                     No; yes                      694
Tennessee                  350   No; yes                    1,348
Texas                   40,107   Yes; yes                   2,022
Utah                             Yes; no             [greater than or
                                                      equal to] 903,
                                                     [less than or
                                                      equal to] 2,022

Vermont
Washington                   0   No; yes             [less than or
                                                      equal to] 2,022
West Virginia                0   No; yes                      674
Wisconsin               13,296   No; no              [less than or
                                                      equal to] 2,022
Wyoming                    210   No; yes                      UL

209(b) states
Connecticut                  0   No; yes                    1,805
Hawaii                     100   No; no                     1,128
Illinois                     0   No; no                       674
Indiana                  1,279   No; yes                    2,022
Minnesota                        No, yes                      935
Missouri                     0   No; yes                    1,113
New Hampshire                    No; no                    Varies
North Dakota                 0   No; no                       750
Ohio                     1,224   No; yes                    1,314
Oklahoma                     0   No; yes                    1,011
Virginia                     0   No; no               [less than or
                                                       equal to] 2,022

(a) MT indicates that the state allowed Miller trusts in 2009-10.

(b) Individual must exhibit difficulty performing three (rather
than two) activities of daily living.

(c) Cost allowance for 2009-10. These limits may be exceeded
through the use of Miller trusts.

(d) Offers a similar program.

(e) Allowance is $1,128 for renters.

Note: HCBS is home- and community-based service care; NP
indicates not a participant; UL denotes unlimited with a Miller
trust; [less than or equal to] means at most, but the income
allowance depends on multiple factors.

Source: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (2009);
Miller trust information from Walker and Accius (2010).

FIGURE 1
Medicaid enrollment and expenditures by maintenance
assistance status in 2008, age 65+

A. Enrollment

SSI recipients          40%
Medically Needy         10%
Dual eligibles          29%
Other                   21%

B. Expenditures

SSI recipients          27%
Medically Needy         23%
Dual eligibles           9%
Other                   41%

Source: Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicaid
Statistical Information System (MSIS).

Note: Table made from pie chart.
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Title Annotation:medicaid and medicare rules
Author:De Nardi, Mariacristina; French, Eric; Jones, John Bailey; Gooptu, Angshuman
Publication:Economic Perspectives
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Mar 22, 2012
Words:10416
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