Today’s newsletter examines the changes to Medicaid, their potential impact, and the political and legal challenges to the new bill.
The majority of these changes will affect non-disabled adults age 18-64, so those age 65 and over don’t need to panic, but some of the new rules may impact them now, and all of the drastic Medicaid revisions will certainly impact those age 65 and over in the future.
(Lawsuits have already been filed, however, challenging certain provisions within the new bill, and advocacy groups are likely to stay active, so there could be more changes coming in the future).
The OBBBA is so lengthy and dense that it would not be practical to address all of the bill’s Medicaid-related items in this newsletter. However, we will address the highly publicized and noteworthy items that are likely generating the most questions among seniors, as well as the major items that directly impact long-term care and individuals age 65 and over, including:
1. Funding Shifts – greater financial burden will be placed on states, which could reduce funding to Medicaid programs for seniors or eliminate them entirely.
2. More Hurdles to Medicaid – less assistance to low-income seniors (those age 65 and over) when it comes to enrolling in certain Medicaid programs
3. Decrease in Retroactive Medicaid – this safety net for seniors with a sudden need for long-term care will be diminished
4. Decrease in Home Equity Limit – could impact Medicaid eligibility for those age 65 and over, homeowners
5. Work Requirements – these highly publicized changes should not have a direct or immediate impact on those age 65 and over, but they could impact their caregivers
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The information contained in this section was taken from a newsletter produced by Eldercare Resource Planning, LLC – who help families obtain Medicaid long-term care at home, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. They explain the pros and cons of Medicaid’s different long-term care options such as Home and Community Based Services Waivers, Money Follows the Person, PACE, nursing home coverage and more. They determine an applicant’s eligibility and clarify what does or does not make them eligible. They ensure the yearly redeterminations are seamless and beneficiaries remain eligible and receive the care they require.