THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 OATH | FROM Page 1 Page 17 HOUSE AMENDMENT #807 T here is amendment #807 to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Bill # 5007 that is intended to limit MassHealth estate recovery to only the federally required amounts and authorizes MassHealth to seek a waiver of estate recovery for a work incentive program for people with disabilities. Medicaid in the only public benefit program that requires properly paid benefits to be recovered from a deceased MassHealth recipient’s probate estate. MassHealth has an Estate Recovery Unit. Estate recovery for nursing home benefi ts is federally mandated. Massachusetts has adopted a statute requiring estate recovery for the costs of all medical services provided after a MassHealth recipient reaches the age of 55, even if at home and not in a nursing home. Most MassHealth recipients have income well below 100% of the federal poverty level ($13,596 in 2022) and those 65 and over must have countable assets of $2,000 or less. One can still qualify for MassHealth even though he or she owns a home. 90% of estate recovery collection is from the later sale of the home after the MassHealth recipient dies and the home was included in the probate estate. The amendment seeks to benefit low income MassHealth recipients owning a home by not allowing the Estate Recovery Unit to place a lien on the home in order to seek recovery for MassHealth benefits paid after the Mayor Brian Arrigo congratulated Councillor Powers during Friday’s swearing in ceremony at City Hall. MassHealth recipient dies. This not does not apply to nursing home benefi ts paid but would apply to any MassHealth recipient living at home and receiving benefi ts upon reaching the age of 55. This amendment seeks to have MassHealth only seek recovery for federally mandated medical assistance (e.g. nursing home level care). Many people receiving MassHealth while age 55 or older and still living in the community are not aware that he or she can transfer their home to a Trust in order to avoid probate. Once the home is in a Trust, under current MassHealth regulations, the Estate Recovery Unit cannot recover from the sale of the home. If the amendment were to pass, even if the home were not placed into a Trust, a MassHealth recipient who dies with the home included in his or her probate estate would not have to worry about not being able to pass all of the equity in the home to loved ones as a result of a potentially significant MassHealth lien. This amendment and corresponding House Bill 5007 is currently working its way through the legislative process at this time. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation. REVERETV | SEE Page 17 ceremony coverage on YouTube and on the channel in the days ahead. Municipal meetings are still being covered and airing live throughout this busy summer season. You can view replays of last week’s meetings on RTV Gov which include the Public Art Commission, the License Commission and the Traffic Commission. While you’re watching, check out the newest episode of “Conversations with the Mayor” from last week. RTV Gov is channel 9 on Comcast, and channels 13 and 613 on RCN. Watch any government programming on RTV’s YouTube page as well. Ward 5 Councillor John Powers said he’s excited to continue the work that he started, including building the Point of Pines Fire Station, monitoring the overdevelopment on the Mills Avenue boatyard, and the construction of a new high school. Point of Pines Fire Station, monitoring overdevelopment on the Mills Avenue boatyard, enacting a Crew program at Revere High School, a new high school, and repaving water lines, among others. Newly sworn Ward 5 Councillor John Powers was congratulated by City Clerk Ashley Melnik. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) YOUR SUMMER FUN... FOR LESS! as low as SUMMER SIZZLER LOAN up to 12-Months $500 - $5,000 5.19% Vacations APR* Improvements Extra Cash Apply online FAST at memberspluscu.org. memberspluscu.org 781-905-1500 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Payments for 5.19% APR for 12-months are approximately $85.70 per month per $1,000 borrowed. Payment does not reflect disability and/or credit life insurance and may differ slightly due to rounding. Terms up to 12 months. Minimum loan amount $500 and maximum loan amount $5,000. APR is based upon member’s credit score. Rates listed above reflect excellent credit scores. Rates effective June 1, 2022 thru September 5, 2022 and subject to change without notice. Membership requires a $5 deposit in a share/savings account. at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net call he Adv cate Ne spapers For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers
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