How are the assets of a husband and wife counted?
The assets of both husband and wife are considered together. All of the countable assets owned by either spouse are totaled as of the first day one spouse enters a hospital or nursing home for long-term care. The total assets are then divided equally between them. The spouse at home (“community spouse”)is permitted to retain a maximum of $109,000 in the year 2009. This amount changes every year. It may be possible for the community spouse to obtain additional assets through a court order or an administrative hearing decision. In addition, assets received by the community spouse after Medicaid qualification have no effect on the nursing home spouse’s continued eligibility for Medicaid.
