Introduction
Earlier in this course you learned more about excluding a person’s homestead when they enter an LTCF or are requesting services through a waiver program. MA-LTC has an additional requirement regarding the home – the Home Equity Limit. This limit is only applied to people requesting MA payment of LTC services.
Definition: Property an applicant or enrollee owns in whole or in part or has an ownership interest in, and in which he or she occupies, or occupied immediately prior to receiving LTC services, as the primary dwelling. A home includes the primary dwelling, all surrounding land and any building on that land, provided the land is not separated from the dwelling by property owned by another person. Land separated from the dwelling by a public right-of-way is included in the definition of the home.This requirement must be met when the client has ownership interest in the home even when a client’s homestead is excluded when determining if a client is asset-eligible. And, this requirement must be met, even if the client is exempt from asset limits. So, even though the home may be exempt for an MA-LTC client who is exempt from asset limits, if they have a home the equity must be equal to or less than the home equity limit. This information is on handout MA-LTC Clients Exempt from Asset Limits from earlier in this course.
This module will discuss exceptions, verifications and notices regarding the home equity limit. Take additional notes on the handout Home Equity Limit (PDF).
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Home Equity Limit