There are many people in Kentucky who wonder how they will pay for their care when they get older. Many older people require specialized care, such as one receives in a nursing home. These facilities are extremely expensive, costing thousands of dollars each month. But with careful planning, a person can qualify for Medicaid which covers these expenses. Qualifying for Medicaid can be a long process and it is important to understand the importance of the look-back period.
Medicaid
When a senior is applying for long-term care on Medicaid, whether it’s for a nursing home, in-home care, assisted living, there is an asset limit. In order for a person to be eligible for Medicaid a person cannot have assets over a certain amount. There is a look-back period for Medicaid that prevents a person from giving away assets in order to qualify for Medicaid.
Medicaid look-back period
In Kentucky, the Medicaid look back period is 60 months. That means from the date a person applies for Medicaid, the government will review a person’s financial history for the past 5 years. Medicaid will be looking for money being given away, lack of documentation for assets sold during the look-back period, irrevocable trusts, and paying family members for care without proper legal documentation and caregiver agreements.
Qualify for Medicaid is important for many Kentucky residents. It is important that a person meet with an attorney who specializes in elder law to understand what options they may have and how they should plan for their future. This can be a good way to make sure a person will qualify for Medicaid care when the time comes.
