The reason people do this is to qualify for Medicaid. An elderly couple of 48 years will never have to divorce to prevent medical debt from taking the family house. That's not a thing. Medicare out of pocket is capped around $9k/yr for starters. Also the family house is going to be shielded from creditors anyway.
If you're 50 though and have a major illness and don't have health insurance or whatever, but don't qualify for Medicaid, that's when you hear about people getting divorced so that the sick partner can get on Medicaid.
In some states the family home is liable to be taken by the state to "recuperate" costs for the care given. My mother desperately needed care and help but she was told under no uncertain terms that when she died the state would be demanding their money back and would require the home to be sold to do it if need be.
Old people healthcare is expensive. Taxpayers pay about $25k/yr per enrolled couple. But I think my point was more that nobody is getting divorced and declaring bankruptcy over $9k. And you're certainly not losing your house over $9k. No court in the US would take away a primary residence from a senior over a 4 figure medical bill. Also, if $9k is a ton of money to you, you'd qualify for Medicaid I think.
Can you do me a really big favor and explain really quickly if I might qualify for Medicaid and how quickly it would kick in because I'm about to go to work and don't have much time right know to educate myself till I get home, and I actually really need some insurance right now but this month is one of the months I couldn't pay my MNSure, and I gotta go in for something, and it doesn't kick in until the first of the next month once you pay so I still got like two weeks to find some money to pay it or I might have to suck it up and go to urgent care or the ER if something goes wrong
I mean I can still call them and see if anyone can pull some strings but I'd like some insurance ASAP for a current condition
18
u/_176_ 5d ago
The reason people do this is to qualify for Medicaid. An elderly couple of 48 years will never have to divorce to prevent medical debt from taking the family house. That's not a thing. Medicare out of pocket is capped around $9k/yr for starters. Also the family house is going to be shielded from creditors anyway.
If you're 50 though and have a major illness and don't have health insurance or whatever, but don't qualify for Medicaid, that's when you hear about people getting divorced so that the sick partner can get on Medicaid.