Due to Department of Human Services (DHS) strict spending limits on Medicaid recipients, the funeral home will only be able to assist families choosing to use Medicaid death benefits for cremation and memorial services.
Only upon payment in fill from the family and/or written verification from DHS of payment forthcoming, may a memorial service or cremation be scheduled with our company. Please note that verifications of payment from DHS can take several weeks and sometimes even longer if the family fails to fully cooperate with DHS.
To qualify for DHS death benefits, your family member must be receiving Medicaid benefits prior to death. Medicaid funded memorial services and cremations cannot exceed $2,500.00. In most cases for people 60 years of age and older, Medicaid will pay up to $1,500.00. People under 60 years old can receive up to $1,000.00 (infants and children - up to $1,500.00). The caseworker will examine the assets of the deceased before determining the Medicaid benefit. The existing assets are then deducted from any death benefit that would be paid. For example, if a 67 year old woman passes away and had $600.00 in a savings account, Medicaid will only pay $900.00 leaving a $600.00 balance due.
The person who signs the funeral home contract is responsible for the difference between the benefit from Medicaid and the bill. This balance must be paid in FULL at the time of arrangements and prior to any services being rendered.
*Final resting placed (e.g. niches, columbaria, mausoleum crypts and rose gardens) are exempt from Medicaid spending limits. In other words, an appropriate final resting place and memoralization for a loved one can still be purchased by families utilizing Medicaid benefits for cremation.