New York Medicaid Planning
& Long-Term Care
Long-term care in New York is expensive, and Medicare coverage is limited. Medicaid planning can help individuals and families address those costs while navigating a complex and frequently changing set of rules.
Schedule an AppointmentMedicaid and Medicare are not the same.
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but Medicaid and Medicare are distinct programs with different purposes. Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance primarily for people aged 65 and older. It covers hospital stays, physician visits, and some rehabilitation services, but it does not cover long-term custodial care in a meaningful way.
Medicaid is a joint state and federal program that provides health coverage for individuals with limited income and assets. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid does cover long-term care — including care in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or through home-based services. For many New Yorkers, Medicaid is the primary way long-term care costs are addressed.
Qualifying for Medicaid in New York.
To qualify for Medicaid in New York, an individual must meet income and asset limits set by the state. These limits differ depending on the type of Medicaid being sought — community-based Medicaid, which covers home care, has different rules than nursing home Medicaid.
Individuals who apply for Medicaid may be required to reduce their assets before qualifying. New York also has a look-back period for nursing home Medicaid, during which prior asset transfers are reviewed. Gifts or transfers made within that period may result in a period of Medicaid ineligibility.
Planning ahead can expand the options available. What is appropriate depends on each person's specific circumstances. New York's Medicaid rules are detailed and change frequently, and what applies in one situation may not apply in another.
The most effective New York Medicaid planning happens years before long-term care is needed. Early planning expands the strategies available and gives individuals and families more time to make thoughtful decisions about their assets and care.
Waiting until a crisis occurs significantly limits the options. New York's Medicaid look-back rules and asset transfer restrictions make advance planning especially important for those who want to protect what they have built.