Planning for long-term care is one of the most daunting parts of aging, not just emotionally, but financially. Rising nursing home costs in Pennsylvania, particularly in areas like Montgomery County, Bucks County, and the Main Line, can quickly wipe out a lifetime of savings. Many families assume their only option is to spend everything down before qualifying for Medicaid. But the truth is, that’s just one of several paths, and often, not the best one.
This is where the MA Keystone Report comes in.
What Is the MA Keystone Report?
The MA Keystone Report is a custom analysis tool designed to help Pennsylvania families understand their Medicaid eligibility options. Created with the state’s Medicaid (Medical Assistance) rules in mind, the report provides a clear, side-by-side breakdown of multiple strategies for qualifying, including how each approach impacts income, assets, and long-term care costs.
In short, the MA Keystone Report shows:
- What happens if you take no action
- How much you could save or protect with legal planning
- How different options impact your timeline for eligibility
- Real dollar amounts, not just generic advice
For families navigating the Medicaid eligibility requirements for an elderly parent or spouse, the report takes guesswork off the table and brings clarity to a complex process.
Why the MA Keystone Report Stands Out
Most elder law firms explain your options verbally or give you a standard handout. The MA Keystone Report is different, it’s visual, specific, and highly personalized. That means:
- You see exactly how much can be preserved or lost with each strategy
- You understand how income and assets affect eligibility
- You reduce fear and confusion about next steps
At Mittman Law, we use the report to support every family with data-driven recommendations, not just theory.
Real-World Scenarios the Report Compares
Here’s how the MA Keystone Report breaks down real Medicaid planning strategies side-by-side:
1. No Action Taken
- Shows how fast assets are depleted if you do nothing
- Highlights the impact of full out-of-pocket long-term care costs
- Helps families understand what’s truly at stake
Example: Without planning, $280,000 in assets might be fully depleted within 18 months of entering a nursing home.
2. Spend-Down Strategy
- Shows what purchases or expenses could be made to reduce countable assets
- Calculates when Medicaid eligibility would begin
- Clarifies what the family would lose or retain
3. IRA Liquidation or Annuitization
- Converts retirement assets into income for a healthy spouse
- Helps preserve assets for the community spouse under PA rules
- Shows tax and timeline implications
Example: One scenario might show how annuitizing a $150,000 IRA can provide lifetime income for a spouse without delaying Medicaid coverage.
4. Trust or Gifting Strategies
- Projects long-term asset protection using irrevocable trusts
- Illustrates Medicaid look-back periods and timing risks
- Offers a plan for families starting early
5. Combination Strategy
- Merges multiple planning tools for maximum protection
- Often preserves the most assets while qualifying for care sooner
- Best for families with real estate, retirement savings, or business interests
These scenarios help answer questions like:
- How can you qualify for Medicaid without losing everything?
- What’s the financial impact of each approach?
- Which strategy supports both eligibility and long-term financial goals?
Aligning Medicaid Eligibility With Your Broader Estate Plan
Medicaid planning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It directly impacts, and is impacted by, your overall estate plan. The MA Keystone Report helps coordinate your long-term care and legacy goals so they don’t compete with each other.
It helps ensure:
- You or your spouse is financially supported
- You avoid financial moves that could disqualify you from Medicaid
- Your children can inherit what you’ve worked to build
- Your will, trusts, and beneficiary designations remain coordinated
This integration is especially valuable when using tools like long-term care insurance or planning around retirement assets.
Who Benefits From the MA Keystone Report?
The report is useful for a wide range of families across Southeastern Pennsylvania, including those in Ambler, Norristown, Lansdale, Blue Bell, King of Prussia, and more.
- For Seniors: Understand your options and protect your dignity
- For Adult Children: Make smart decisions on behalf of aging parents
- For Higher-Net-Worth Families: Coordinate Medicaid eligibility with asset protection and tax reduction
- For Anyone Worried About “Losing Everything”: Know exactly what you can do
When Should You Get an MA Keystone Report?
Timing is everything in Medicaid planning. You should consider the report:
- In your early 60s, before care is needed
- As soon as your spouse shows signs of needing assistance
- If you have income or assets over $50,000
- Before making any large financial transfers or gifts
Being proactive helps you avoid crisis-mode spend-downs and costly mistakes.
Take the First Step Toward Peace of Mind
The MA Keystone Report is your roadmap to making informed, confident decisions about Medicaid and long-term care. At Mittman Law, we offer consultations that walk families through the report and answer all your questions about how to qualify for Medicaid, without sacrificing everything you’ve worked to build.
If you or a loved one are concerned about long-term care costs and want to explore your options, schedule a consultation with one of the leading estate planning attorneys in Montgomery County. Let us show you what’s possible.
