Do you think it's morally or ethically acceptable for seniors to hide their financial assets to then become Medicaid eligible, and eligible for other government aid?

Senior citizens can legally hide their financial assets to make themselves Medicaid eligible. Sometimes the legal proceedings are commenced by family members that are looking to preserve their inheritances. Sometimes the proceedings are done by the senior themselves, to hide their money and make themselves eligible for Medicaid and other services.

The seniors and their families may feel that if they end up in a nursing home, the nursing home will take the house or any property in exchange for a lifetime of care, so therefore that’s why they hide their assets. The family may feel like why should their parent, who probably worked his whole life, squandered and saved, only to have it all taken away when that could be avoided. I can absolutely understand that thinking.

This is all legal so there is no breaking of any laws. There are advantages to Medicaid that many regular health insurance policies do not have, for example, home health aides, adaptive devices such as wheelchairs, tub chairs, etc., medical transportation, diapers, liquid nutrition such as Ensure – all covered by Medicaid. The seniors may then apply for food stamps and other government subsidies. Not all do, of course, but they can.

The people who hide their assets may continue to live in large houses, have access to their money (although it may be hidden in funds or trusts) and live the lifestyles they lived previously.

I work for a government program that delivers home health services to Medicaid recipients, so i am very aware of what Medicaid covers. I go to some huge mansions where the furniture is incredible and the house is situated on a large piece of property in a rich neighborhood, to assess people. They often have other hired help to supplement the help we give. The government pays for their Medicaid and other entitlements just like it would for someone who was poverty-stricken.

As I stated, this is all legal and above board. The question is, do you think that morally or ethically this is acceptable?