Call us at 1-833-252-2737 (TTY 711)

8AM-8PM Monday-Friday

Call us at 1-833-252-2737 (TTY 711)

8AM-8PM Monday-Friday
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/570e35b01d07c0cbf8f6a375/t/65158e5697c7286a83ff9c98/1695911510295/CLH-28136_CenterLight-Pace_Logo_Horz_Color-Full_CMYK.png
,

Qualifying for Medicaid with the help of Pooled Income Trusts

,

This blog features a Q & A about pooled income trusts.

When it comes to affording home care services, many older adults face one of two difficult financial scenarios:


Scenario A:

You may have enough income to cover living expenses, but not enough left over to pay for required home care services, which can often run thousands of dollars a month.


Scenario B:

You apply for Medicaid covered home services. However, to be Medicaid eligible, you must "spend down"  any excess income by spending it on medical care or paying excess income to your local department of social services or managed long-term care plan. For example, an individual who is not enrolled in a managed long-term care plan may pay their excess income to the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services if their income is above Medicaid eligibility levels. If an individual is enrolled in a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) or another managed long-term care plan, they will pay their excess income directly to the plan.

Luckily, there’s another alternative.

Older and disabled adults can contribute their excess income to a pooled trust, which in turn uses the funds to pay the patient’s bills, as well as allowing them to pay for other living expenses. Qualifying medical expenses will then be covered by Medicaid.

Below, Jin Kim Smith, Assistant Director of Intake Operations at CenterLight, explains how pooled trusts allow individuals to qualify for Medicaid outside of specific income ranges.

elderly couple on the computer


What’s a pooled trust?

It’s a special type of trust that allows individuals to become financially eligible for public assistance benefits, like Medicaid, while preserving their income resources in trust for living expenses and supplemental needs.

They’re not necessarily for everyone, but for many people, joining a pooled trust can allow them to receive the public benefits that meet their essential medical needs while maintaining an additional fund to meet their special or supplemental needs.


What are some other factors to consider?

Once seniors agree to contribute their income to a pooled trust, the pooled trust organization will directly disburse payments to the third party/vendor (like their landlord, for example) for expenses, such as rent, utilities, phone and food.


For what items can the Pooled Income Trust funds be used?

These funds can be used for virtually all of life’s basic needs.

  • Clothing, food and shelter

  • Homeowner expenses including real estate taxes, utilities and insurance

  • Rental expenses

  • Supplemental home care and eldercare services

  • Entertainment and travel expenses

  • Any other expense not provided by government assistance programs

  • Depending on your situation, there may be other uses permitted for the funds as well!


Next time, we’ll share options for setting up a pooled trust for you or your loved one. In the meantime, if you have any questions related to pooled trusts, call 1-877-212-8877, email info@centerlight.org, or fill out our contact form!

CenterLight Teamcare is committed to providing accurate health-related information to help individuals live well, stay healthy and make well-informed healthcare and health-related decisions. Information in this material is strictly educational. .

 


H3329_2019_BLOGPooledTrust Approved 07232019
Last updated July 3, 2019

If you have questions, please call us at 1-877-212-8877, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. TTY users should call 711. You may also request a callback from one of our representatives by completing the form below:
 
  • facebook icon
  • instagram icon
  • linkedin icon
  • youtube icon
 
We welcome your inquiries. Please call our Participant Services Department at 1-833-CL-CARES (1-833-252-2737) Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM through 8:00 PM. TTY users should call 711. You may also write to us at 136-65 37th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_002 Approved 09252018
Last updated on July 1, 2024
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_002 Approved MMDDYYYY
Pending DOH and CMS Approval
Last updated on December 27, 2017
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_ElectronicFundsTransfer Approved 01192022
Last updated on December 28, 2021

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_SDR_Training Approved 01192022
Last updated on December 21, 2021

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_002PressRoom Approved 02062018

Last updated on May 8, 2018
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2017_WEB_Caregivers Approved MMDDYYYY
Pending DOH and CMS Approval
Last updated on December 7, 2017
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_003r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_004r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_JanuaryBLOG Approved 02132019
Last updated January 30, 2018

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2023HomePage Approved 01102023
Last updated on December 27, 2022


CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_Activities Approved 11262018
Last updated on December 31, 2018

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_005r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_006r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2018_WEB_LANDING PAGE_007r1_M Approved 01072019
Last updated on January 4, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_WEB_Activities_Approved 03122019
Last updated on March 2, 2020
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_WEB_May Approved 05152019
Last updated on May 13, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_Caregiver_r001 Approved 03132019
Last updated on February 25, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_CDPAS Approved 03132019
Last updated on February 25, 2019

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_ProviderHomeV3 Approved 01192022
Last updated on March 29, 2022

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_CDPAS_caregiver Approved 03132019
Last updated on February 25, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_CDPAS_caregiver_var1 Approved 05032019
Last updated on April 18, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_July2019_BLOG_home Approved 07232019
Last updated July 5, 2019
Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_LifeAtTeamcare_r001 Approved 05152019
Last updated on May 29, 2019
Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_LifeAtCenterLight Approved 06022023
Last updated on May 22, 2023

Participants are enrolled in CenterLight Teamcare at the time of filming.

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_Betty_landingpage Approved 07232019
Last updated on July 3, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2019_caregiverbettyvid Approved MMDDYYYY
Pending CMS and DOH approval Last updated on August 19, 2019
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2021_TeamcareHome_JUN Approved 07022021
Last updated on June 11, 2021
CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2020_Provider_February Approved MMDDYYYY
Pending CMS and DOH approval
Last updated on September 28, 2020

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2020_WEBWhereWeAre Approved 01132020
Last updated on January 3, 2020

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2020_WEB_covid19updates Approved 04072020
Last updated on March 17, 2020

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2020_WEB_FBevents Approved 04172020
Last updated on April 14, 2020

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2021ParticipantCorner Approved 03192021
Last updated on March 4, 2021

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_providernews1 Approved 01262021
Last updated on December 30, 2020

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_2021ParticipantInfo Approved 01192022
Last updated on July 1, 2024

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_OTC Approved 04142021
Last updated on April 2, 2021

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_ProviderNewsMar2022 Approved 04202022
Last updated on March 29, 2022

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_myneedscard_web_v3 Approved 09062022
Last updated on September 14, 2022

CenterLight Healthcare has an approved PACE contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NY State (NYS). Enrollment in CenterLight Healthcare PACE depends on renewal of its contract with CMS and NYS. Members may be fully and personally liable for the cost of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program agreement services.

H3329_ProviderLookUp Approved 01192022
Last updated on December 28, 2021

Photo credit: Linda Farwell Photography