|  | Healthcare Industry | Medicaid

Florida Medicaid Regulations

Medicaid is a type of health insurance typically used for the elderly but always used for lower-income families. Medicaid is oftentimes used to put an elderly person into a nursing home. Seniors interested in Medicaid in Florida need to apply for it and list their assets to determine their eligibility.

  1. Homestead

    • If a spouse or relatives continue to live in the home, or if the applicant seeking Medicaid for nursing home insurance intends to return to the home at some point, the home is ineligible as an asset.

    Personal Items and Household Goods

    • All and any items in the household and considered personal possessions are excluded from the asset eligibility test.

    Inactivity

    • To be eligible for Medicaid, an individual must be unable to do three of the following activities: walking and standing; dressing oneself; feeding oneself; bathing oneself; and using the restroom unassisted.

    Single Applicant Income

    • There are income restrictions to be eligible for Medicaid. For 2009, a single person could have up to $2,022 in monthly income and still be eligible for Medicaid. This did not mean, however, that a single person would not be eligible if his monthly income was more than $2,022. Additional planning would be needed in the case the person had a higher monthly income. Monthly income can be composed of retirement pension, Social Security benefits, annuities and any other taxable income.

    Married Applicant Income

    • For 2009, a married person could have up to $2,022 in monthly income and still be eligible for Medicaid. This did not mean, however, that a married person would not be eligible if his monthly income was more than $2,022. Additional planning would be needed in the case the person had a higher monthly income. Monthly income can be composed of retirement pension, Social Security benefits, annuities and any other taxable income. The difference between a single person and married person in regard to Medicaid is the married person has a non-applicant spouse who is entitled to some of the money. As of 2009, the minimum monthly maintenance allowance for the non-applicant spouse was $1,822.

Medicaid - Related Articles