Medicaid Grows as Possible Healthcare Option in Estate Planning
June 21, 2012 By Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlights how Medicaid, especially after the passing of the Affordable Care Act is changing the way many Americans look at healthcare and retirement planning. Though originally enacted as a plan to provide health insurance to the needy, Medicaid is becoming more widely available to those who previously had been ineligible.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program offered primarily to the poor, pregnant women, parents, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. However, beginning in 2014 Medicaid coverage will expand to include anyone who meets specific income level guidelines as enacted in the 2009 healthcare reform law.
Unless the Supreme Court issues a ruling declaring the Medicaid portions of the law unconstitutional, all states will be required to provide Medicaid coverage to those earning up to 133% of the federally determined poverty level by 2014. However, some states, such as Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington, have already adopted the expanded eligibility criteria ahead of the 2014 deadline.
In addition to the expanded coverage availability, states have also begun tackling the application process that has seemed so daunting and confusing to many. Simplified applications as well as online application processes are becoming more common.
States are also addressing the difficulty Medicaid recipients face when traveling across state lines. Because states have different eligibility requirements, it can be very difficult for a person to move to a new state and still rely on Medicaid coverage. States are now adopting a database sharing strategy that will allow Medicaid recipients to more easily transfer their information when moving across state lines.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Sexton
Experienced estate planning attorneys Fayetteville AR of the Deborah Sexton Law Office PA offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Fayetteville AR.
Copyright Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
More information about Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Unless the Supreme Court issues a ruling declaring the Medicaid portions of the law unconstitutional, all states will be required to provide Medicaid coverage to those earning up to 133% of the federally determined poverty level by 2014. However, some states, such as Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington, have already adopted the expanded eligibility criteria ahead of the 2014 deadline.
In addition to the expanded coverage availability, states have also begun tackling the application process that has seemed so daunting and confusing to many. Simplified applications as well as online application processes are becoming more common.
States are also addressing the difficulty Medicaid recipients face when traveling across state lines. Because states have different eligibility requirements, it can be very difficult for a person to move to a new state and still rely on Medicaid coverage. States are now adopting a database sharing strategy that will allow Medicaid recipients to more easily transfer their information when moving across state lines.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Sexton
Experienced estate planning attorneys Fayetteville AR of the Deborah Sexton Law Office PA offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Fayetteville AR.
Copyright Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
More information about Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
View all articles published by Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
