Medicaid Planning Attorney in Northeast Georgia

Georgia Medicaid pays for long-term nursing home care for people who qualify, but the eligibility rules are complex and mistakes are costly. Careful planning protects your family's financial security.

Understanding Georgia Medicaid Eligibility

To qualify for Georgia Medicaid nursing home benefits, an applicant must meet both medical and financial criteria. The financial test limits countable assets to approximately $2,000 for an individual. Certain assets are exempt, including a primary residence (subject to an equity limit), one vehicle, and personal belongings. The spouse who remains at home has additional protection through the Community Spouse Resource Allowance.

The Five-Year Look-Back Rule

Medicaid reviews all asset transfers made in the five years before the application. Gifts or transfers for less than fair market value during this period can result in a penalty period during which Medicaid will not pay for care. Planning five or more years before care is needed provides the greatest protection.

Crisis Planning

Even when planning begins after a nursing home admission, significant assets can often be protected through spousal protections, converting countable assets into exempt ones, prepaying legitimate expenses, and Medicaid-compliant annuities. While less comprehensive than proactive planning, crisis planning can still preserve meaningful assets for a spouse or family.

Estate Recovery

Georgia's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement from the estates of deceased Medicaid recipients for benefits paid. Proper planning can minimize or eliminate estate recovery claims on your home and other assets.