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Penny Said:

Can a nursing home or medicaid take a patients assets?

We Answered:

I'd check with a lawyer on this.

Yes, the patient is expected to pay for the nursing home, if he or she has the assets to do so. Many people transfer property and assets to avoid this issue.

The law has been that the transfer had to happen a year to a year and a half before the person entered the nursing home. However the recent Budget Reconcilliation Bill changes the ruling to a period to five years.

There is an article about it here: http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/reada…

Some to lose Medicaid aid in paying for nursing home By DOUGLAS TURNER News Washington Bureau Chief 2/10/2006

"WASHINGTON - The days are over when Grandma or Grandpa could give their money to relatives, then, shortly thereafter, enter a nursing home with Medicaid picking up the tab. A bill President Bush signed this week requires a five-year wait for those wishing to employ this little-publicized but widely used practice. ... While critics fear the new rules could hurt people of modest means, advocates say the changes will help erase the practice of wealthier seniors artificially impoverishing themselves so the government assumes their nursing home expenses."

click link for rest of the article - http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/reada…