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It asks the value of the IRA but nothing about payments. I'm preparing an online Medicaid application (https://dcf-access.dcf.state.fl.us/access/index.do) for my mom in Florida. She has an IRA from which she receives regular distributions, and everyone seems to agree that an IRA that is in "pay" status, like this one, is not a "countable" asset for Medicaid purposes.

What concerns me is that the application does not seem to ask if the IRA is or is not in "pay" status. Under the Liquid Assets section, there is a question that asks if she has any IRAs, and if yes state the value. That's all. There's no question asking the amount or timing of distributions from the IRA. In the Income section (separate from the Liquid Assets section), there is a drop down box to select various sources of other income (interest, dividends, Black Lung benefits, stipends, etc), but there is nothing for IRA distributions. The only possible choice would be the catchall, Other Sources.

So I'm worried that the IRA will mistakenly be classified as a countable asset, which would render my mom ineligible and at least delay her approval. This issue must come up regularly, many people have IRAs, why doesn't the form have a clear place to indicate that there are regular payouts?

Any thoughts on how to report the IRA and the regular payouts would be appreciated

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You are right. In many states (maybe all -- I don't know), IRAs that are in pay status are not counted, but the distribution is considered as income. Florida is one of the states. Does your mother take the yearly minimum required payment, or are payments spread out over the year? If there is no specific box, I would include it in the "other income" category, which will probably include a line where you can describe the source. I am surprised that there is not a special box for IRAs. If possible I would check with the Medicaid officer who is working with you to make sure including it as "other income" would be correct.
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Thanks for the reply. She takes the yearly minimum required payment (one check each year). I tried using the Other Source catchall but unfortunately it does not include a line where you can describe the source. Very strange, the application really should have a line for this.
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There is a telephone number on the site that you can call and ask questions. I hope someone here will have filled out a FL application and can give some guidance. Personally, I would call that number and talk to the Medicaid people themselves. They have probably dealt with it many times.
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Something else you may want to seek guidance on is if it would be better to distribute out the IRA payments over the year, instead of in a lump sum. I don't know. Nursing homes charge monthly, so any money that will be paid by your mother will be charged that often most likely. I wondered if a large payout once a year could jeopardize standing with Medicaid. I would ask so it will avoid future problems.
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Thanks for the replies. I called the help line today. They weren't aware of the issue and were not particularly helpful, but she did say there will be a place at the end of the online form (I have not seen it yet) where you can add comments and explanations.

Also, I will try to get the payments changed to monthly.
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