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.