What is Spousal Impoverishment?

  • Special financial provisions in Medicaid related to eligibility for Elderly, Blink or Disabled (EBD) coverage.
  • Provisions in place to legally define how income and assets are counted for married couples receiving or applying for nursing home or community waiver services
  • Affects legally married couples when one is spouse is living in a nursing home or enrolled in community waiver program and the other spouse is not residing in a nursing home, for 30 days or more

Countable Assets

  • Cash
  • Checking accounts
  • Life insurance policies
  • Savings accounts
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Real estate
  • Investments
  • Stocks and bonds

Assets Not Counted

  • Your home (as long as the community spouse or other dependent relative lives there)
  • One vehicle
  • Burial assets (including insurance, some amounts in irrevocable burial trusts, and plots)
  • Household furnishings
  • Clothing and other personal items

For more detailed explanation of spousal impoverishment protection, please refer to Wisconsin Medicaid – Spousal Impoverishment.