A Medicaid applicant can have no more than $15,750 in cash assets to qualify for Medicaid. Exempt assets include retirement accounts (must be taking the RMD), life insurance with a cash surrender value of $1,500 or less, and a prepaid burial. A home in not counted if the applicant is receiving home care or a spouse, disabled child, blind child, or minor child is living in the home. Each year the recipient must recertify to qualify.