When one spouse requires long-term care later in life, financial concerns are common. Medicaid eligibility depends on meeting strict financial standards. In Ohio, people are subject to a review of their income and their countable assets.
The state may look back five years to check for inappropriate gifts or transfers and may penalize those who need Medicaid to pay for a nursing home or similar support for prior financial choices. Older adults dealing with medical challenges or concerned about protecting themselves while also supporting an ailing spouse likely need the guidance of an elder law attorney to understand Medicaid eligibility rules and protect themselves financially.
Ohio has spousal impoverishment rules
The financial guidelines for Medicaid are different in cases where one spouse is healthy but the other has intensive support needs. The spouse who does not currently need care has the legal right to retain a certain portion of the couple’s shared assets, also known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA).
They can also retain some of their monthly income without earmarking all of their resources to cover a spouse’s medical expenses. Depending on the nature of the shared assets, the spouse who does not currently need care can continue to own their share of countable assets. The total value of those assets could be anywhere from $32,532 to $162,660.
The Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance helps a healthier spouse continue paying for their own monthly expenses. In 2026, the amount that the healthier spouse can retain is between $2,643.75 and $4,066.50, depending on unique household details.
Many people worry that they may face a drastic reduction in their standard of living or a demand to exhaust their resources completely when their spouse needs an in-home health aide or a room in a nursing home. Thankfully, healthy spouses trying to do the right thing for ailing spouses have protection under Ohio state law.
Older couples can take steps to qualify an ailing spouse for Medicaid while the other spouse still maintains a reasonable standard of living. For many couples, working with an elder law attorney as soon as possible after support needs change can be helpful.
Lawyers can develop unique strategies to maximize the countable assets and monthly income that the healthy spouse can retain. They can also help reduce the likelihood of a penalty that could delay the Medicaid coverage for the spouse in need of support.
Reviewing financial records and medical concerns at length with a skilled legal team can help those concerned about Medicaid eligibility navigate what can be a complicated system. Legal guidance from an elder law attorney can make a profound difference for those hoping to ensure their financial stability when a spouse requires intensive support.