New York Elder Law Attorney
As a result of the continued pandemic, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has continued to renew the declaration that a public health emergency exists. The most recent renewal extends the PHE through until late April, 2021. Due to the requirement for states to maintain Medicaid benefits through the Public Health Emergency, no changes to Medicaid benefits can go into effect until July 1, 2021.
For New York State residents and families contemplating a Medicaid application for community home care, this is welcome news. The lookback requirements were to have changed to require applicants to submit to a 30 month financial lookback to ensure eligibility for Medicaid community home care.
As a result of this additional renewal of the PHE, there is additional time for seniors and family members to conduct Medicaid planning for community home care. It is now possible to make gifts, transfer assets and utilize other planning techniques, but only if your Medicaid Application is filed before July 1, 2021.
This is a unique opportunity and one that should be taken advantage of if at all possible.
For decades, Medicaid community home care applicants did not have to worry about any kind of lookback period. This changed in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic has created a window of opportunity.
We encourage you to contact our office at 516-307-1236 if you or a loved one anticipates filing for community Medicaid or Medicaid home care.