Advanced Legal Planning

KanCare Eligibility & Asset Protection in Mt. Hope, KS

When a loved one is in Mt. Hope needs nursing home care, families often worry about how to pay for it without losing everything. At over $80,000 per year in Kansas, long-term care can drain savings fast. That’s where KanCare, Kansas’s Medicaid program, comes in.

But here’s the catch: to qualify for KanCare, you must meet strict income and asset limits—and the rules are complex. At Advanced Legal Planning, we help Mt. Hope families navigate Medicaid eligibility while preserving assets through approved legal strategies.

What Is KanCare?

KanCare is the Kansas Medicaid program that helps eligible seniors and disabled individuals pay for long-term care in:

Nursing homes
Assisted living (in some cases)
In-home care

To receive these benefits, the applicant must pass both:

Income eligibility tests
Asset limits

And unfortunately, most families don’t qualify right away—especially if they have savings, retirement accounts, or a family home.

KanCare Financial Eligibility Overview

Income Limits

In most cases, Medicaid recipients in Kansas must have income below $2,829/month (2024 limit). However, special rules exist if income is over this limit.

Asset Limits

The applicant is limited to $2,000 in countable assets. That includes:

Checking & savings accounts
CDs and investments
Most retirement accounts
Non-exempt property

Spouses living at home are allowed more—but there are still limits. And without legal planning, most family assets are at risk.

Exempt Assets: Not Always Safe

Some assets are technically “exempt” for eligibility—but that doesn’t mean they’re safe from Medicaid later. Common exempt items include:

One primary residence (if occupied or with intent to return)
One vehicle
Household goods
Burial funds

However: These items may still be vulnerable to Medicaid estate recovery after death. That’s why proper trust-based asset protection is essential.

Common Mistakes Mt. Hope Families Make

Applying too soon or too late
Giving assets directly to children (creating penalties)
Assuming the home is protected
Not planning for the well spouse
Failing to use Medicaid-compliant trusts

How to Qualify for KanCare and Keep Your Assets

At Advanced Legal Planning, we use proven legal tools to help you qualify while preserving your financial legacy.

Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)

- Transfers assets out of your name (while retaining control)

- Starts the 5-year lookback period

- Protects from estate recovery

- Preserves tax benefits like step-up in basis

Medicaid-Compliant Annuities (for married couples)

- Converts countable assets into protected income

- Helps the healthy spouse keep more

- Fully compliant with Kansas Medicaid rules

Crisis Planning (if care is needed now)

Even if a loved one is already in a facility, it may not be too late to save assets.

Real Case: How a Mt. Hope Couple Protected $200,000

When “John and Mary” realized John needed full-time care, they were told they’d need to spend nearly $200,000 of savings before Medicaid would help. But after consulting with us: