New eligibility rules (Public Act
97-689 in Section 75) took effect on June 14, 2012. These new Medicaid eligibility rules were negotiated
last fall between the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Some of these changes include the following: (1) A home transferred into
a trust after the bill becomes a law may not be considered homestead
property. If the home was transferred
into a trust before the bill becomes law, it prevents a person from being
eligible for long-term care if the person’s equity interest in this homestead
exceeds the minimum home equity as allowed under federal law. (2) People over
the age of 65 can no longer participate in a federally created OBRA Pooled
Trust unless the beneficiary is a ward of the county public guardian or the
State guardian. Other changes were also made, so if you have any questions in
regards to changes or any other eligibility questions call a knowledgeable
attorney:
5013 W. 95th Street
Oaklawn, Illinois 60453
708 529-7794
