• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
    • News and Events
    • Seniors Rock Radio
  • Estate Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Planning
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Family Farm Succession Planning
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • IRA Planning
      • Planning With An IRA
      • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning Services
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
    • Guardianship & Conservatorship
    • Hospice Care
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Resources
    • Definitions
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • FREE Webinars
    • Estate Administration Legal Guide
    • Estate Planning Articles
      • Questions for Your Estate Planning Attorney Before Creating Your First Estate Plan
      • How to Create Your First Estate Plan in 2022
      • How to Choose a Guardian for Your Child
      • Address These Three Questions in Your First Estate Plan
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Adult Guardianship
      • Alzheimer’s Care
      • Custodial Accounts for Minors
      • Estate Planning
      • FAQs for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Elder Law
      • IRA & Retirement Planning
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Legacy Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicare and Social Security
      • Probate
      • Probate Avoidance
      • Irrevocable Trusts
      • Trust Administration
      • Trusts
      • Veterans’ Benefits
      • Wills
    • Newsletters
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Medicaid Planning
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Medicaid Frequently Asked Questions
    • Medicaid Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Estate Planning Services in Rochester, New York and the Finger Lakes Area

Connect With Us Today

(585) 374-5210
Law Pay Button
Attend a Free Webinar
Home » Medicaid » The Medicaid Surplus Income Program

The Medicaid Surplus Income Program

October 29, 2010Medicaid

Medicaid is a need-based, state run program that provides health care benefits for those who cannot afford them. Normally, Medicaid is available to those eligible for Supplementary Security Income or other forms of public assistance. In New York, there is a program available to those with higher incomes that normally disqualifies them for public assistance, but it is available to the elderly or disabled who spend down what Medicaid terms their ‘excess’ income on medical care until they reach the Medicaid income level for eligibility. A person with monthly income in excess of the income limitations can still qualify in any month in which medical expenses are large enough so that their remaining income is below the Medicaid income limits.

Example: Henry H. receives $1,200 per month in Social Security benefits, which is his only income. If the Medicaid eligibility amount is $767 per month, the difference of $433 is considered “Medicaid Surplus.” If Henry H. incurs over $433 in prescription or other covered costs, he is eligible for Medicaid to cover the remaining expenses for the month.

When it comes to nursing home costs and the Medicaid Surplus Program, the income eligibility limit for Medicaid is just $50 per month for 2010. Any income above that amount must go to cover nursing home costs, with Medicaid covering the difference. There is an exception if a spouse is still living independently, and the spouse may retain up to $2,739 from their combined income for Medicaid eligibility.

As you can see, the costs of long term care can quickly use up a family’s assets. Estate planning accounts not only for Medicaid planning and asset structures, but provides a plan for incapacitation in later years. Consulting with an estate planning attorney in your early years helps you prepare to meet the challenges of paying for your needs in your later years.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney
Clients notice Michael Robinson’s unique approach to his estate planning practice the minute they walk through his office doors.
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney
Latest posts by Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
  • Business Succession Planning May Be Easier than You Think - June 1, 2022
  • Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself - May 18, 2022
  • Just When You Thought You Understood the 10-Year Rule, Think Again - May 11, 2022

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.
Medicaid Laws Are Changing October 1 – And It’s Not Good!
Medicaid look-back
The Medicaid “Look-Back” Period Explained
bath medicaid planning
How Bath Medicaid Planning Helps Parents of Disabled Children
medicaid planning
Medicaid Planning Mistakes You Must Avoid
qualifying for medicaid
Can Medicaid Take Your Home After Death?
medicaid attorneys
Can You Give Away Your Wealth to Get Medicaid?

Primary Sidebar

Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Blog Subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube

TESTIMONIALS

A pleasure as always dealing with the entire staff. Always willing to explain the answers to our questions.

- Joseph and Julie Ann M.

Over the years we have been to many programs regarding Estate Planning. We were most impressed with Mr. Robinson’s presentation - both in subject matter and explanation in an understandable manner. We have put our “trust” in his competent hands. We were not aware of the complexity and the volume of paperwork generated for this undertaking. We found his staff to be most capable and client oriented in their knowledge and delivery.

- F.T. & L.T.

Our overall experience was one of thoughtfulness, clarity and comprehensiveness on the part of Michael Robinson, his staff and associates. We attended Michael’s seminar on legacy wealth, and found him to be clear and well-spoken. He touched on all aspects of Estate Planning in which we were interested. Our first of two visits to his office was timely and helpful enough for us to consider developing a plan. We finalized our document at a necessary meeting. His staff was accommodating and virtually spelled out every aspect of the plan. We highly recommended Michael and his system for developing a trust.

- Sharon T.

“From the first visit I was welcomed (like family). The office & girls have all their ducks in order! Very friendly! Mr. Robinson explained everything in detail. 100% satisfied. Will pass the word on. Great Law Firm. Thank you so much.”

- Geraldine P.

Establishing a Family Wealth Trust through the Law Office has been a positive experience, the staff is congenial, patient, thorough, professional and knowledgeable. Thank you for all your kindness. We certainly are comfortable and confident with our decision.

Beverly L.

<
>

News & Events

Seniors Rock Radio Show Recording 5-1-21

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U7UkQbEGy-xY7XFAXvX9Qz7pKSVDVV3D/view?usp=drive_web   Author Recent Posts Michael Robinson, Estate Planning AttorneyClients notice Michael Robinson’s unique approach to his estate planning practice the minute they walk through his office doors. Latest posts by Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney (see all) Business Succession Planning May Be Easier than You Think - June 1,... Read more →

Pittsford Office

1163 Pittsford-Victor Road, Suite 120 (Powder Mill Office Park)
Pittsford, NY 14534-3817
Phone: (585) 374-5210
Fax: (585) 485-0394

See Larger Map Get Directions

Map

mrobinson_sidbr_map

Footer

  • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
  • About The American Academy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
robinson law logo

The Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Attorney Advertisement


© 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.