As individuals age, planning for long-term care becomes increasingly urgent since most seniors will require long-term care at some point during their lifetimes. MassHealth, Massachusetts’ Medicaid program, offers vital support for seniors requiring long-term medical care, but navigating MassHealth eligibility can be logistically complicated and emotionally taxing.
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our talented estate planning/elder law attorneys are committed to helping the individuals and families of Southeastern Massachusetts understand and prepare for MassHealth benefits. Contact us now to become informed about MassHealth’s asset limits and eligibility requirements and to ensure
that you and your loved ones will receive the care you need while protecting your hard-earned assets.
What Is MassHealth?
MassHealth is Massachusetts’ Medicaid program, providing healthcare coverage to eligible low-income residents, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. It offers coverage for a range of services, including hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and long-term care in nursing homes. For most families, the cost of nursing home care is prohibitive without MassHealth benefits.
Why Do I Have To Prepare To Be Eligible for MassHealth?
MassHealth has strict eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits, and imposes a lookback period during which the applicant’s financial transactions are carefully examined. When an individual 65 years old or older transfers assets to someone other than their spouse within 5 years of applying for benefits, that person will have to pay a penalty.
If that person is found to have transferred assets of more than $15,000 each year, they will be denied benefits altogether. Planning ahead allows you to manage your assets strategically so that you can meet MassHealth eligibility requirements while preserving assets for yourself and your family.
What Are the Income and Asset Limits for MassHealth in 2024?
As of 2024, MassHealth imposes income and asset limits for eligibility as follows:
For individuals aged 65 and older, the income limit is $2,382 per month, while the asset limit is $2,000 in countable assets. Certain assets, however, such as a primary residence (up to a certain equity limit), personal belongings, and a vehicle, may be exempt.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You Prepare for Eligibility
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our experienced attorneys specialize in elder law and estate planning, offering personalized strategies to help clients prepare for MassHealth eligibility. We provide comprehensive guidance on a range of planning options, including:
Irrevocable Trusts
Establishing irrevocable trusts can help protect assets from being counted towards MassHealth eligibility while allowing individuals to retain control over trust assets and distributions.
Gifting
Gifting can be used to reduce countable assets and mitigate the impact of the lookback period, provided gifts are made outside the lookback period and in compliance with MassHealth regulations.
Charitable Giving
Charitable giving serves dual purposes by supporting charitable causes and reducing countable assets for MassHealth eligibility.
Medicaid Asset Protection Planning
Our attorneys specialize in Medicaid asset protection planning, helping clients navigate complex eligibility rules and preserve assets for themselves and their loved ones.
Contact Us Now Our MassHealth Attorneys Will Simplify the Process
Take it from our knowledgeable, highly skilled MassHealth legal team — planning for MassHealth eligibility, applying, and receiving needed benefits is no picnic. No one knows better than we do that the details of MassHealth eligibility are complicated and confusing.
Fortunately, when you work with our savvy attorneys, we will take care of everything, making sure that every necessary task is accomplished effectively and efficiently. We know the intricacies of the system, including every rule and every exception. Get in touch with us today to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have protected your health, your assets, your loved ones, and your future.
