Medicaid Planning & Applications

A Medicaid Planning & Applications service provides legal and financial assistance to help people access government benefits for nursing home care. These services can include everything from checking a client’s application before submission to help ensure it is complete, to restructuring their assets so they are Medicaid-eligible.

Those who need assistance with Medicaid often turn to a planner because it can be difficult to understand the rules or find someone who is familiar with them. They also need to know how to avoid mistakes that can cause them to be denied or incur penalties, which can add up quickly.

Medicaid Planners Are for Everyone

The term “Medicaid planning” encompasses a wide range of services that can be used to help seniors qualify for the Medicaid program and save money on healthcare-related expenses like nursing home care. These services are provided by both professional firms and individual attorneys.

Saving Money on Long-Term Care Costs is a key reason why many seniors use Medicaid. Using the program can significantly reduce the amount of money they need to pay for their nursing home or in-home care costs.

In fact, the majority of seniors who qualify for Medicaid are able to stay in their homes, rather than going into a nursing home. Moreover, this option is more affordable than going into a nursing home and can save the family from the additional cost of private pay, which can be very expensive.

For some individuals, however, the need for long-term care is not an immediate one. This is why it is important to plan for the future and to ensure that you are prepared to receive long-term care when it is needed.

Whether you are a current Medicaid applicant or an aging parent who is considering applying for the program, it is imperative that you seek counsel from an attorney who has experience in this area and can assist you in the process.

Medicaid Planning & Applications Are a Good Choice for Many Seniors

The rules and guidelines of the Medicaid program are very strict, and it is often difficult to navigate them without the assistance of an attorney. The eligibility process can take a considerable amount of time, and even simple errors can result in a denial of benefits, which can negatively impact the health and happiness of the applicant, their caregivers, and their families.

If you are interested in learning more about Medicaid Planning and how a lawyer can assist you, we encourage you to schedule an informative consultation with us today. Our New York law firm can provide you with the expert guidance you need to get through the complicated application and eligibility process.

It is important to remember that a Medicaid planning mistake can result in the loss of your assets for a significant period of time, so it is best to consult with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process and make sure you are eligible for the program.

Is a Lawyer Needed to Get Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federally-funded program that provides health care to low-income Americans of all ages. The program is administered by individual states, which can make it complicated to navigate if you’re not familiar with the rules.

Medicaid can cover everything from routine visits to specialized care and long-term services like nursing home stays. It’s a vital resource for millions of seniors and those with disabilities. However, it’s important to know what you can and cannot do to get the coverage that you need.

What Medicaid Lawyers Do

A Medicaid attorney can help people apply for and receive Medicaid. They can also assist with the appeals process if your application is denied.

Many Medicaid applications are denied because the applicant didn’t complete their paperwork correctly or provide the correct supporting documentation. It can take weeks or even months to complete the application, so it’s important to be prepared and include all necessary documents.

Getting a Medicaid application approved takes a lot of work and planning. It can take time to prepare the correct documents, gather evidence, and ensure that all of your assets are disclosed. Taking time to prepare and submit the proper application can save you and your family time and money in the long run.

The Right Time to Apply

Depending on the type of coverage an applicant is looking for, it may be best to wait until they’re sure they are eligible. This is especially true if they are applying for Medicaid for the first time. Trying to file too early or too late can be a costly mistake. Choosing the wrong time to apply can lead to denial or a period of ineligibility, and waiting too long can result in a penalty.

Spousal Impoverishment Rule

For married couples, the financial rules for Medicaid eligibility differ significantly from those for single applicants. A Medicaid attorney can help a married couple maximize their community spouse resource allowance and monthly maintenance needs allowance while still retaining enough resources for the non-Medicaid spouse to continue living in the household.

Medicaid planning is a complicated task that requires expert knowledge of the laws and regulations in your state. Whether you need assistance with Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, or other legal issues, a Medicaid attorney can help.

What You Should Do If Your Medicaid Application Is Denied

Most states have a 60-90 day window from when you receive your Medicaid notice to schedule a fair hearing. It’s important to have an experienced attorney to represent you at your hearing to ensure that your rights are protected.

An attorney can also advise you if it’s in your best interest to appeal the decision. They can also explain the specific laws and procedures that apply in your state.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Medicaid Attorney?

Having an attorney prepare your Medicaid application can be cost-effective, as it can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. In addition, they can prevent you from spending too much of your assets or making mistakes that could negatively impact your eligibility.

Cost of Elder Law Attorneys and Medicaid Planning

Those who need long-term care, either in a nursing home or at home, have many different financial and legal options to help pay for that care. They can purchase insurance that pays for the costs of long-term care or set up trusts that can help cover the costs of nursing homes and in-home care when they no longer need it.

The best option for those who need help paying for long-term care is to work with a qualified New York elder law attorney and Medicaid planner. They can help you understand your long-term care options, create a plan to protect and preserve your assets and secure your eligibility for Medicaid.

They can help you qualify for Medicaid and secure your eligibility, which will enable you to receive the care you need while still saving your family from paying for the high cost of care.

A good elder law lawyer will be able to explain the complex rules surrounding New York Medicaid and how it works. They will also be able to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid benefits, how much money you have, and whether there are any assets you may want to transfer or spend down to reduce your eligibility.

Certified Medicaid Planners are less expensive than Elder Law Attorneys and can be helpful for short-term, emergency, or urgent needs. They often are more familiar with the ins and outs of Medicaid applications and can expedite the process, especially when there are multiple parties involved.

Some of the common services that a CMP can provide include drafting a Medicaid application, coordinating with healthcare professionals, and filing the paperwork on your behalf. They can also assist you with filing the application for your spouse or a dependent, and in the case of an estate plan, they can help you draft a will or trust.

Crisis Medicaid Planning comes into play when a person has an unexpected illness or accident and needs care as soon as possible. The goals of this type of planning are to shift assets by category, owner, or amount, all permitted by Medicaid regulations, so that the countable assets claimed on the Medicaid application are under $2,000.

If you have a revocable living trust and your account balance is more than $2,000, you will need to have these accounts restructured as non-countable, which may require immediate gifting. A CMP will be able to help you determine which assets to avoid claiming and which to transfer to the revocable trust, as well as how to use your exempt assets, like life insurance policies or prepaid funeral and burial plots, to meet the asset limits.

It’s important to consult with an experienced New York attorney before making any decisions about your long-term care and how to finance it, as these decisions can have a dramatic impact on your health and the quality of your care. You should not try to handle these matters on your own, as the mistakes you make could lead to devastating consequences for your family.

New York Legacy Lawyers by Yana Feldman & Associates PLLC

New York Legacy Lawyers by Yana Feldman & Associates PLLC

132 32nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232, United States

(718) 713-8080