Kenneth Vercammen, Esq is Chair of the ABA Elder Law Committee and presents seminars to attorneys and the public on Wills, Probate and other legal topics related to Estate Planning and Elder law. He is author of the ABA's book "Wills and Estate Administration. Kenneth Vercammen & Associates,
2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 572-0500 More information at www.njlaws.com/

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

10:71-5.8 Eligibility under life care and pay-as-you-go agreements
(a) In a contractual agreement where the individual has transferred his available assets to
the facility in exchange for full medical care in the institution, the institution has a legal
responsibility to provide such care and Medicaid benefits are not payable for the institutional
care. However, Medicaid eligibility may exist in the following circumstances (see also
N.J.A.C. 10:71-5.4(a)13):
1. When it can be determined that no enforceable contract exists (for example, because
the facility is financially unable to fulfill its responsibilities under the contract and all terms of
the agreement are thus void), the facility has a legal obligation to refund to the individual
any assets which remain from the amount assigned at the time the contract was signed.
The individual may be eligible for Medicaid Only as long as all other eligibility criteria
(including resources) are met.
2. When a contract is not actually rescinded and the individual retains his or her right under
the terms of the contract but, where his or her contract rights for care in the facility are not
fully met, Medicaid benefits may be available for those medical expenses not being met by
this facility if the individual meets eligibility requirements.
3. When the contractual agreement for care in the facility does not include all of the
medical care (for example, is limited to basic room and board), Medicaid benefits may be
available for those medical expenses not covered by the contract as long as all eligibility
criteria are met.
4. In those contractual situations above in which Medicaid eligibility may exist, the value of
in-kind room and board is not considered income.