Some Positive Health News for Older Americans

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Removing the three-day requirement would get Congress to act. But at least with the right of appeal, you have a chance to fight.

In a second promising development, California is removing asset limits for older people trying to qualify for Medicaid, and other states are considering similar moves.

Medicaid, the state and federal program that provides health care for the poor and disabled, and also pays for long-term care in nursing homes and the home, places rigid ceilings on recipients’ wealth. In most states, if you are over 65, you cannot accumulate assets of more than $2,000 for a couple or $3,000 for a couple (usually a house and a car are exempt).

“This is making people live in very deep poverty,” said Amber Christ, Director of Healthcare policy and Advocacy for Justice in Aging. “If you go over the limit by one dollar, you lose your eligibility.”

California will lift this ceiling in two steps. In July, the asset limit rises to $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each family member. In July 2024, the state will completely abolish asset limits. If you’re older or have a disability, you’re eligible for Medi-Cal (as California’s Medicaid program calls it) if your income doesn’t exceed 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The state estimates that about 17,000 people will become newly eligible.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul included a similar measure in her report. proposed state budgetAbolition of asset limits from 1 January 2023; The state legislature will consider the budget in March. Ms. Christ said Arizona abolished asset limits in 2001, but other states are exploring this approach, if not for long-term care.

A catch: This year, 138 percent of the federal poverty level corresponds to an annual income of $17,774. Medi-Cal recipients should still be poor, but less poor than before and better able to maintain their health insurance.

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