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HB 1570

Medicaid estate recovery; prohibit application of to obtain funds from ABLE accounts.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carolyn Crawford

Bill prohibits Medicaid from seizing ABLE savings accounts during estate recovery to preserve disability-focused financial resources for deceased beneficiaries' families.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1570

Legislative bill overview

HB 1570 would prohibit Mississippi's Medicaid program from recovering costs through estate recovery procedures by seizing funds from ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts). ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts designed for individuals with disabilities to save money without losing means-tested benefits. The bill aims to protect these disability-specific savings from Medicaid estate recovery claims.

Why is this important

Medicaid estate recovery allows states to recoup program costs by claiming assets from deceased beneficiaries' estates. For people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid, this can eliminate savings meant to provide independence and quality of life improvements. Protecting ABLE accounts from recovery would preserve one of the few financial planning tools available to disabled individuals without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential services.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact on state: Medicaid estate recovery generates revenue for states; restricting it reduces funds available for the program, though ABLE account balances are typically modest
  • Scope of protection: Unclear whether protection extends only to ABLE accounts or raises questions about other disability-related assets and exemptions
  • Equity concerns: Some argue all beneficiaries' savings should be protected equally, not just those in designated accounts, while others contend Medicaid should recover costs from any available assets

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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