Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts)
Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) – Elder Law Attorney and Jacksonville Lawyer Explains Qualified Income Trust
The Coleman Law Firm can assist you in the preparation of qualified income trusts (Miller Trusts), often referred to as a QIT, either as a stand alone trust, or as part of an overall Medicaid spend down plan. You can schedule an appointment with our office, meet with our experienced Jacksonville elder law attorney, and we will prepare your qualified income trusts (Miller trusts) within your time requirements. Your QIT will allow you, or your family member, to qualify for Medicaid benefits to pay for skilled nursing home costs regardless of whether your income exceeds the “Income Cap” established for Medicaid eligibility. Currently, the income cap in Florida for 2016 is $2,199 per month. If you, or your family member, who is living in a skilled nursing facility, has income in excess of that amount, a QIT must be established so he or she can qualify for Medicaid nursing home benefits to help pay for the cost of long term care. For the purpose of determining whether you qualify for Medicaid benefits for nursing home care, the State of Florida includes indemnity payments you receive from long term care insurance as “income.” If your income plus long term care insurance indemnity payments exceed the income cap, then you need qualified income trusts (Miller trusts). If you would like to learn more about qualified income trusts (Miller trusts), or have such a trust prepared for you or your family member, please call our Jacksonville Medicaid attorney to schedule an appointment at 904-448-1969 (toll free 866-510-9099), or email us at Info@TheColemanLawFirm.com.Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) – FAQs
1. What is a Qualified Income Trust?
2. Who needs a Qualified Income Trust?
3. How do I set up a Qualified Income Trust agreement?
4. What items must be included in the Qualified Income Trust agreement?
Be irrevocable (cannot be canceled).
Require that the State will receive all funds remaining in the trust at the time of your death (up to the amount of Medicaid benefits paid on your behalf).
Consist of your income only. (Do not include or add assets).
Be signed and dated by you, your spouse, or a person who has legal authority (as legal guardian or pursuant to a durable power of attorney) to act on your behalf or who is acting at your request or the request of your spouse. If the authority is through a durable power of attorney, the durable power of attorney must specifically provide that your agent, or attorney in fact, has the authority to establish trusts on your behalf. You should review your durable power of attorney to determine if it has the appropriate provisions.
5. How does the Qualified Income Trust account work?
6. How much income must I deposit into the Qualified Income Trust account?
7. It is better to deposit more income than take the chance of depositing too little to qualify for Medicaid?
8. What happens to the income I deposit in the Qualified Income Trust account?
9. How do I pay funds remaining in the QIT to the State?
Xerox State Healthcare, LLC PO Box 12188 Tallahassee, FL 32317-2188
A brief cover letter or note should state that the payment is for a QIT and include the recipients name, Social Security number, and/or Medicaid ID number. Enclose a copy of the QIT bank statement covering the date of death to confirm the check is for the balance. Also, include documentation of any refunds received from the long term care facility. Contact ACS at (877) 357-3268 for questions regarding payment of QIT funds to the State.