While the subject may be difficult to think about, it remains a fact that most people will spend some portion of their lifetimes in an assisted care facility. The possibility also exists that individuals may run up large medical bills both before and during placement in such a facility. It is therefore important to be prepared for these events by consulting with an estate planning and elder law attorney about proper Medicaid planning.<\/p>\n
Since Medicaid is a joint State-Federal program, eligibility rules determining who qualifies for Medicaid vary from state to state. To qualify for Medicaid in New York, individuals must be eligible for Supplementary Security Income (SSI) and meet income and age restrictions. New York also has a Medicaid Surplus Income Program. Under this program individuals who have incomes that are too high can qualify for Medicaid if they spend down their excess income on medical bills.<\/p>\n