Medicaid Figures in Iowa
HOME EQUITY LIMIT
$636,000
The Iowa Medicaid program will not cover long-term care services for those with home equity above this limit, with certain exceptions. A home includes the primary homestead and all contiguous property connected to it.
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The Iowa Medicaid program can recoup expenses through an estate recovery program, even if you qualify for Medicaid. Learn everything there is to know about Medicaid figures in Iowa to improve your status and qualify easily!
Estate Recovery
Iowa has expanded the definition of "estate" beyond the probate estate, making many assets available for recovery after the Medicaid recipient passes away.
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Iowa has a limited hardship provision in its estate recovery program, but the best way to avoid estate recovery is through a Medicaid asset preservation plan that eliminates the possibility of recovery.
Iowa is a one-half deduction state that counts all countable assets on the "Snapshot Date" and divides them between both spouses, regardless of ownership if there is a spouse still living in the community. This is used to determine the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services set the Minimum and Maximum CSRA each year, which Iowa follows. The following are the limits for 2022:
Minimum: $27,480
Maximum: $137,400
Iowa lets the Community Spouse keep a portion of the patient's income if they do not have enough income to bring them up to the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA). Iowa allows for a larger income allowance if there are additional expenses for housing or care costs. The 2022 MMNA limits are:
Minimum: $2,177.50
Maximum: $3,435.00
PROTECTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY SPOUSE
$7,710.66 ($253.64 per day) - figure used to calculate transfer penalties.
TRANSFERS
INCOME
$50 - monthly personal needs allowance for nursing home residents.
Iowa is an "income cap" state. If the applicant's income exceeds $2,523 (in 2022), then the applicant is ineligible for assistance. However, the income cap can be solved by using an income cap trust, commonly referred to as a "Miller Trust."
ASSETS
$2,000 - resource limit for LTC Medicaid applicants with no community spouse.
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IRAs and other retirement plans are not protected.