Governor's New Taskforce Recommendations Slash $2+ Billion from Medicaid Budget: Act Now

New York’s new governor, Andrew Cuomo, has created a taskforce – Medicaid Redesign Team – to restructure the Medicaid program to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Over the last two months, the taskforce has held a number of meetings all over the state soliciting suggestions on how to save money. Last week Cuomo accepted the taskforce’s report with 79 recommendations that if enacted would set a global cap on state Medicaid spending of $15.109 billion – cutting $2.3 billion from the current program.

Of the proposals being considered, those with the biggest impact on Medicaid eligibility include the elimination of Spousal/Parental Refusal, the expansion of estate recovery and the definition of estate, and the implementation of a 60 month look back for non-institutional long term care (i.e. Community Care). The last proposal is the most drastic. Under current Medicaid law, eligibility to receive Community Care, such as home health aides and skilled care in your home, does not carry any penalty period for transfers. You can transfer assets today and qualify on the first day of the next month for Medicaid. Under the proposed recommendation, the same 60 month look back period that currently applies only to Medicaid Institutional Care would also apply for Community Care.

If you or a loved one wants to qualify for Medicaid Community Care, it is imperative to act immediately. This 60 month look back period would apply to new Medicaid applications if this recommendation becomes law. To avoid having these strict requirements impact your Medicaid eligibility, contact attorney Moira Laidlaw at (914) 767-0646 or email Moira at mlaidlaw@laidlawfirm.com to start your Medicaid Planning today.