Top Five Medicaid Myths

Myth #1: I earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.

The amount of income you earn will never disqualify you from receiving Medicaid medical benefits in New York. While your income may still be an important factor in deciding whether or not to apply for Medicaid benefits, you should not assume that you make too much money to qualify.

Myth #2: I have Medicare and/or private health insurance so they will pay for my long-term care needs.

Medicare and private health insurance will not pay for any long-term care costs. Medicare covers only part of the cost for very short-term rehabilitation. Any care that you need at home or after the first 100 days in a nursing home will be billed to you in full. This is where Medicaid medical benefits come in to cover long-term costs. However, this does not happen automatically; it takes time and usually a good deal of planning to apply for and receive these benefits.

Myth #3: Being on Medicaid means you receive worse care than everyone else.

This is simply not true. To the contrary, in our experience many of the best Home Health Care Agencies and Nursing Homes that money can afford will gladly accept Medicaid recipients as customers and patients. In fact, a majority of these companies and facilities accept Medicaid as a form of payment. 

Myth #4: There is a five (5) year lookback for ALL Medicaid benefits.

There is currently no lookback period for transfers of assets for Community Medicaid benefits (Home Care benefits). This means that if you need a home health aide to assist you with your activities of daily living, you can take steps right now to apply and get approved for these benefits without an extensive wait. The five (5) year lookback period only applies to applications for Medicaid Chronic Care benefits (Nursing Home benefits).

Note: Beginning on October 1, 2020 New York will impose a thirty (30) month lookback period for Community Medicaid Benefits.

Myth #5: A Medicaid application is a simple form I can fill out myself.

Medicaid applications for medical benefits involve more than just answering a few simple questions. Along with their application, all applicants must provide a whole series of documentation related to finances, insurance, citizenship and residency. All of the information provided will impact whether an applicant is approved or denied to receive Medicaid benefits, and whether or not there will be a lengthy penalty period assessed for transfers and gifts. One small mistake—such as a missing document, an improperly explained piece of information, or even providing too much information—can result in tens of thousands of dollars in lost Medicaid benefits.