Q.
What are the rules for Medicaid qualification in
Florida?
A.
In the State of Florida, there is a three-part
test for Medicaid qualification.
The first test involves the
applicant’s medically-necessary level of care.
It must be shown that the nursing home
resident’s medical condition requires the
resident to be in the nursing home.
Second is the asset test.
The single applicant can have no more than
$2,000.00 in countable assets. The married
applicant can also have no more than $2,000.00,
but the applicant’s spouse living outside the
nursing home may have up to $92,760.00 in
countable assets.
Third is the income test.
The Medicaid applicant may have no more than
$1,692.00 a month in gross income. If his or
her gross income exceeds this amount, then an
irrevocable income-only trust can be established
to obtain Medicaid qualification. There is no
income limit for the nursing home resident’s
spouse.