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sophiacharm Asked October 2019

Will Medicaid approve relocation from one state to another?

My 83-y/o mother is a nursing home resident in my town, and I am her POA. My husband and I would like to retire to NC, but we are uncertain whether to leave my mother in MD or take her with us to NC and a find a NH placement there. She needs 24/7 care because she is not ambulatory nor can care for herself without several caregivers. If we postpone our move until my mother passes, it could be years (my husband is 73, and I am 63). I could travel back and forth to visit her and manage her care, but I expect to work part time when and if we do move to NC. If we take her to NC with us, will her Medical Assistance that covers her nursing home care in MD transfer to NC? Any suggestions?

worriedinCali Jan 2020
This post is from October and the OP hasn’t been back since

rovana Jan 2020
As I understand it, Medicaid is particular to each state, that is, each state has their own rules, as well as the federal guidelines. I believe you need to establish residency in the state desired and then apply for Medicaid in that state.  But I expect you could check into the Medicaid rules and FAQs for each of the states in question as a preliminary.

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MaryNTN Nov 2019
To move my mother to TN we had to establish residency, but there are no rules on what qualifies. She was moving from one retirement village to another, but now needing assistance. She received some mail (which we sent) at my house and that was accepted. Also, to start the Medicaid application, which the Area Agency on Aging helped with, she had to be physically in TN to start the application. That may be the tricky issue for your mom. The NC equivalent agency should be able to provide sound advice.

Guestshopadmin Oct 2019
Please remember that neither Medicare or Medicaid will pay to transport or caregivers for the trip to relocate when you set up your plans. Do you have your own funds to pay caregivers or can you move her with all the care that entails?

Lymie61 Oct 2019
I think the answer is more of a yes but not simply. Because as other have pointed out, each state runs their own Medicaid programs the details/qualifications may differ but because Medicare/Medicaid is federally funded there are some constants and it should be possible to transfer from state to state it just won’t be as simple and clear cut as it should be. I would also recommend researching the qualifications in NC and give them a call even to get some feedback from NC Agency on Aging (or equivalent) as well as Medicaid office. Explain the situation and what you are thinking about doing and see what each says. Remember you may get a different answer or suggestion with each person you speak with but you should be able to come up with a basic understanding of how it could work and go from there. With each state being different you may even find it’s easier than we think moving to SC NH once a person is already approved for LTC Medicaid in another state, you never know!
sophiacharm Oct 2019
Thank you! I will contact the NC agencies that you mention.
peace416 Oct 2019
As stated by worriedinCali, Medicaid programs do differ from state to state. Check NC website and review their application process.

worriedinCali Oct 2019
Medicaid doesn’t transfer from state to state and she can’t use her MD long term Carr Medicaid in NC. Each state runs their own Medicaid program. You/your mom will have to apply for Medicaid in NC and be approved. Her MD Medicaid won’t cross state lines & pay for her to be in a nursing home in NC.

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