Medicare Blog

what is the asset test for medicare costs in michigan

by Zoe Champlin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

There is an income test and an asset test for this program. If the income test is over the income limit, persons may incur medical expenses that equal or exceed the deductible and still qualify for this program. Beneficiaries receive a comprehensive package of health care benefits including vision, dental, and mental health services.

The spend-down in Michigan covers both Medicaid ABD and Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Income eligibility: The income limit is $1,063 a month if single and $1,437 a month if married. Asset limits: The asset limit is $2,000 if single and $3,000 if married.Oct 4, 2020

Full Answer

What is the income test for health care programs in Michigan?

The Medicare Savings Program pays for certain Medicare costs. There is an asset test. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) may help pay the following, depending on the person’s income: Medicare premiums ; Medicare coinsurance ; Medicare deductible; In some cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) …

Is Medicaid considered an asset in Michigan?

 · Medicaid generally considers vehicles, homes, stocks, bonds, and annuities as assets. In Michigan, Medicaid for long-term care applicants are subject to a $2,000 asset limit. Medicaid expects applicants with more than $2,000 in assets to put their excess resources toward their care before they may receive benefits.

What percentage of Michigan’s budget is spent on Medicaid?

HMP started in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act. To be eligible for either HMP or TM, you must meet certain income limits, asset limits, or both. TM has many categories, or sub-programs, for eligible children, families, and adults. Each category has income limits and some have asset limits. The limits vary depending on the category.

Do I qualify for Medicare and Medicaid in Michigan?

There is no asset test for MAGI- related Medicaid categories. ... Payment of medical expenses, living costs and other debts are ... For Medicare Savings Programs (BEM 165) the asset limit is: • For an asset group of one: $8,400 effective January 1, 2022.

How much money can you have in the bank if your on Medicare?

You may have up to $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 in assets as a couple. As of July 1, 2022 the asset limit for some Medi-Cal programs will go up to $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple. These programs include all the ones listed below except Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What is the asset limit for Medicaid in Michigan?

To qualify for Medicaid in Michigan, you must have no more than $2,000 in resources. Resources are assets like money and property. Some property does not count toward the resource limit. In Michigan, one car is exempt, and household goods are exempt.

Is Medicare based on income or assets?

Medicare premiums are based on your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI. That's your total adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest, as gleaned from the most recent tax data Social Security has from the IRS.

How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?

How do I qualify for the giveback?Are enrolled in Part A and Part B.Do not rely on government or other assistance for your Part B premium.Live in the zip code service area of a plan that offers this program.Enroll in an MA plan that provides a giveback benefit.

How do I protect my assets from Medicaid in Michigan?

By setting up a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (Castle Trust) five years before needing nursing home care, all the assets in the trust can be protected without having to spenddown to the $2,000 asset limit. The assets in the trust are protected from nurising home and Medicaid spenddown.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Michigan 2021?

See if you qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan. Are age 19-64 years. Have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level* ($16,000 for a single person or $33,000 for a family of four) Do not qualify for or are not enrolled in Medicare. Do not qualify for or are not enrolled in other Medicaid programs.

What income level triggers higher Medicare premiums?

In 2022, higher premium amounts start when individuals make more than $91,000 per year, and it goes up from there. You'll receive an IRMAA letter in the mail from SSA if it is determined you need to pay a higher premium.

Does Medicare look at your bank account?

Medicare will usually check your bank accounts, as well as your other assets when you apply for financial assistance with Medicare costs. However, eligibility requirements and verification methods vary depending on what state you live in. Some states don't have asset limits for Medicare savings programs.

Does Social Security count as income for Medicare?

All types of Social Security income, whether taxable or not, received by a tax filer counts toward household income for eligibility purposes for both Medicaid and Marketplace financial assistance.

Who is eligible for Medicare Part B reimbursement?

1. How do I know if I am eligible for Part B reimbursement? You must be a retired member or qualified survivor who is receiving a pension and is eligible for a health subsidy, and enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B.

Will Social Security get a $200 raise in 2021?

Which Social Security recipients will see over $200? If you received a benefit worth $2,289 per month in 2021, then you will see an increase worth over $200. People who get that much in benefits worked a high paying job for 35 years and likely delayed claiming benefits.

Can I get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.

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How to Apply to Medicaid in Michigan

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What is the asset limit for Medicaid in Michigan?

Medicaid generally considers vehicles, homes, stocks, bonds, and annuities as assets. In Michigan, Medicaid for long-term care applicants are subject to a $2,000 asset limit. Medicaid expects applicants with more than $2,000in assets to put their excess resources toward their care before they may receive benefits.

What percentage of Michigan's Medicaid is funded by the federal government?

The Federal government pays the largest portion of Michigan’s Medicaid budget by far, and is responsible for 73.1% of the state’s Medicaid funding. The state government funds the remaining 26.9% of Michigan’s Medicaid budget. A person may be eligibleto receive Medicaid for long-term care in Michigan if they are: .

How much does long term care cost in Michigan?

Long-term care is an expensive investment, with nursing homes, in-home care services, and assisted living facilities having a mediancost of $21,500 - $103,295 per year in Michigan. To offset some of these costs, Medicaid offers coverage for certain types of long-term care for those who financially and medically qualify.

Does Medicaid cover long term care in Michigan?

To offset some of these costs, Medicaid offers coverage for certain types of long-term care for those who financially and medically qualify . Those who prefer to receive long-term care services in their home may qualify for coverage through one of Michigan’s Medicaid Waivers.

How old do you have to be to get medicaid in Michigan?

A person may be eligibleto receive Medicaid for long-term care in Michigan if they are: . At least 65 years of age, or are disabled. Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Require a nursing home level of care. Meet Medicaid’s financial requirements or express willingness to participate in a spend down program.

Does Michigan have a cap on Medicaid?

However, unlike assets, Medicaid in Michigan does not put a cap on how much income a person can earn to receive benefits. If a person does not fall within Medicaid’s income requirements, they may “spend down” on their care to receive long-term care benefits if they require a nursing home level of care.

What age can you get long term care insurance in Michigan?

Between the ages of 40-70, a person may purchase long-term care insurance to plan for their future. Long-term care insurance will pay for a portion of an individual’s cost of long-term care, depending on their policy and the services they require. In Michigan, seniors with a long-term care insurance policy may also qualify to receive benefits ...

What is Medicaid in Michigan?

Medicaid is health insurance for people with low income. In Michigan, there is traditional Medicaid (TM) and the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP). HMP started in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act. To be eligible for either HMP or TM, you must meet certain income limits, asset limits, or both. TM has many categories, or sub-programs, ...

Can you recalculate your MDHHS bill if you don't pay?

In fact, it is important to send in proof of a charge as soon as possible and in the order you are charged. Once MDHHS determines your eligibility for the month, it cannot be recalculated. If you don’t submit a bill until you pay for it, you might be paying for bills that MDHHS would have covered.

Is Medicaid deductible or spend down?

Medicaid Deductible (Spend-Down) Some people who are over the income limit but have high medical expenses may still be eligible for TM Group 2. These people are responsible for a certain amount of their medical expenses before TM will cover the rest. This is known as the Medicaid deduct ible, or spend-down.

Can you get TM Group 2 if you have high medical expenses?

Some people who are over the income limit but have high medical expenses may still be eligible for TM Group 2. These people are responsible for a certain amount of their medical expenses before TM will cover the rest. This is known as the Medicaid deductible, or spend-down.

Is there an asset limit for HMP?

There is no asset limit for HMP. There is also no asset limit for TM categories for eligible children, pregnant women, and some families with minor children. Most other types of TM have asset limits. To learn more about a specific category’s asset limits, you can speak with someone at MMAP.

What are exempt assets?

Exempt Assets. Some assets do not count towards the asset limit. These are known as exempt assets. Some examples of exempt assets are one home that you live in, household and personal items, and one vehicle. To find out what assets are exempt for your TM category, you can speak with someone at MMAP.

Can you count assets owned by more than one person?

Assets owned by more than one person are jointly owned. These assets could be considered “unavailable” and not counted. If you jointly own something, it will not be counted if all of these are true:

What is the maximum amount of extra help for Medicare 2021?

In 2021, the asset limits for full Extra Help are $9,470 for individuals and $14,960 for couples.

What is extra help for Medicare?

Extra Help is the federal program that helps with Part D prescription drug costs if you meet the income and asset requirements. This change helps more people become eligible for MSPs and was a result of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). In 2021, the asset limits for full Extra Help are $9,470 for individuals ...

What states do not have asset limits for MSPs?

* Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and the District of Columbia do not have asset limits for MSPs (as of January 2019).

Why is the MSP limit lower than the extra help limit?

MSP limits appear lower than Extra Help limits because they do not automatically include burial funds. This means that the $1,500 disregard for MSP eligibility typically will not apply unless you prove that you have set aside these funds in a designated account or in a pre-paid burial fund.

How would eliminating the asset test affect Medicare?

The elimination of the asset test would substantially increase the number of people eligible for the Medicare Savings Programs. It also would simplify considerably program administration, reduce administrative costs, and lessen the burden in states with staffing shortages.10 Program application forms could be shortened because less information would be required from applicants. The time required to process applications would also decrease. Some individuals who currently meet the income and asset limits for the Medicare Savings Programs might be more likely to apply for benefits if the application process were less cumbersome. The complexity of the application process is one of the barriers often cited in discussions about low participation rates in the Medicare Savings Programs. If the asset test were eliminated, almost 6 million more Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older would become eligible for assistance.

How many people are covered by Medicare?

The Medicare program is an important source of health care coverage for some 39 million Americans, 34 million of whom are age 65 and older. Even with Medicare coverage, however, substantial numbers of older people have difficulty paying for the health care they need. The Medicare cost-sharing requirements for premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance represent a significant portion of income. On average, Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older spend out-of-pocket 22 percent of their incomes for health care, and more vulnerable groups spend an even greater proportion. Older low-income women in poor health, for example, spend more than half their incomes on out-of-pocket costs of medical care.1

What are the rules for Medicaid eligibility?

Under general rules for determining Medicaid eligibility, states are required to follow the same rules and processes used by the most closely related cash assistance programs to determine program eligibility. For elderly, blind, or disabled individuals, those would be the rules of the Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI).3 Under Section 1902(r)(2) of the Medicaid statute, however, states may use less restrictive income and resource methodologies in determining eligibility for most Medicaid eligibility groups than are used by the comparable cash assistance program. Thus, states have some discretion in counting income and assets for the Medicare Savings Programs.

What are the low income Medicare beneficiaries?

Compared with other Medicare beneficiaries, low-income Medicare beneficiaries are older and more likely to be women. They are more likely to be single and more than twice as likely to be widowed, divorced, or separated. In addition, low-income elderly Medicare beneficiaries are less likely than other beneficiaries to be white and are much less likely to have completed high school. Larger proportions of low-income beneficiaries also report that their health is either fair or poor.

When were Medicare savings limits set?

The limits for countable assets for the Medicare Savings Programs were adopted in 1988 and implemented in 1989. Since that time, income limits for the Medicare Savings Programs have been increased to account for changes in the cost of living. Although assets have appreciated in both real and nominal terms during the same period, the federal limits have not been adjusted to reflect this appreciation. If the asset test had been raised to reflect the economic growth from 1988 to 1998, the limits would have been increased from $4,000 to $4,953 for individuals and from $6,000 to $7,430 for couples.9 An additional 230,000 people would have become eligible for the Medicare Savings Programs. They are the people that policymakers had envisioned would have been eligible when they initially targeted program benefits.

What is HRS in Medicare?

A nationally representative survey was used to examine the incomes and asset holdings of elderly Medicare beneficiaries. The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) contains detailed information on incomes and assets for 11,126 people representing the population age 51 and older in 1998. It also includes information about the spouses of respondents age 51 or older, regardless of the spouse’s age. Questions were administered from February 1998 through March 1999. HRS data were used to calculate countable income and assets for individuals age 65 and older and their spouses. Program rules about counting spousal assets are complex. For this analysis, the assumption is that all assets are jointly held.

What is an asset limit?

Investments. Some trusts. Real and personal property (other than your home and one household car) The asset limit only applies to available assets. “Available” means that someone in your household has a right to use or dispose of the asset.

What are exempt assets?

Exempt Assets. Certain assets are not counted, like your home, retirement accounts, and state and local income tax returns. Federal tax returns are excluded for 12 months from when you receive the return. These are known as exempt assets. Vehicles, like cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and boats may be exempt depending on their use and value.

What are the assets of a business?

Assets are cash or any property you own. The asset limit is $15,000. Here are some examples of assets that are counted: 1 Cash you have 2 Money in checking and savings accounts 3 Uncashed checks written to you 4 Lottery winnings (unless paid in installments, then they are counted as unearned income) 5 Investments 6 Some trusts 7 Real and personal property (other than your home and one household car)

What is the asset limit for a lottery?

The asset limit is $15,000. Here are some examples of assets that are counted: Lottery winnings (unless paid in installments, then they are counted as unearned income) The asset limit only applies to available assets. “Available” means that someone in your household has a right to use or dispose of the asset.

Does MDHHS apply to FIP?

MDHHS will assume any asset is available unless you have proof to show otherwise. If your household’s only income is cash assistance (FIP), State Disability Assistance (SDA), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the asset limit won’t apply to you.

What does "available" mean in MDHHS?

The asset limit only applies to available assets. “Available” means that someone in your household has a right to use or dispose of the asset. MDHHS will assume any asset is available unless you have proof to show otherwise.

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