Health care coverage for people who need nursing home care

People who need a nursing home level of care may qualify if:

• You are eligible for MA
• You have had a Long-Term Care Consultation within 60 days before entering a nursing home or a Pre-Admission Screening and have been found to need a nursing home level of care.

You can apply online through MNbenefits or on paper using the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Payment of Long-Term-Care Services DHS-3531 (PDF).

In most cases, your monthly income helps pay for your care. If you qualify for coverage, MA may help pay the rest. We will determine how much income you can keep.

No, your spouse will not have to use their income for your nursing home care costs.

Some people on MA have an asset limit and others do not.

You will not have to sell your home if:

• You return to your home within six months
• You plan to return home and your doctor thinks you will be able to go home
• Certain family members live in your home

There are three other rules that anyone who needs MA to help pay for nursing home care has to meet.

• You cannot be subject to a transfer penalty because you or your spouse gave away an asset or income without getting adequate compensation. You cannot give away assets or income without getting paid the amount the asset is worth within 60 months of your request to have MA help with your nursing home care costs. There are some exceptions to this rule.
• Your equity in your home has to be under the home equity limit. The home equity limit increases annually. Ask your worker what the limit is.
• Some annuities you or your spouse own have to name the Minnesota Department of Human Services as the preferred remainder beneficiary.

A lien may be filed against your house if you get coverage for care in a nursing home. A lien will not be put on your house if your spouse or certain other family members live in your home. Your worker can tell you if a lien will be filed.

Yes, your spouse may keep some assets. The amount is determined after the county or tribal office completes an asset assessment.

The county or tribal office does an asset assessment (PDF) if you are married and need coverage for nursing home care. It is a list of all the assets owned by you and your spouse on a specific date. You will need to give proof of those assets.

After you are approved, coverage may start:

• The date you start receiving care in a nursing home or are eligible for MA payment of your nursing home care, whichever is later.
• The day after your transfer penalty ends, if you have one, as long as you still meet all of the eligibility rules.

You may still be eligible for coverage. You must tell us if you:

• Have other health insurance, including long-term care insurance
• Could be covered under someone else's insurance
• Could get coverage through an employer or military service

Sometimes we can help pay the cost of your Medicare or other insurance so you can keep that coverage.

• County and tribal offices
• Minnesota Health Care Programs Member Help Desk