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How can you qualify for long-term care
services through Medicaid?
You worked hard for your money. Let’s make sure that you are able to get the medical assistance that you need while not depleting all of your assets.
Grand Traverse Medicaid Lawyer
If you need assistance from Medicaid right now or in the near future, consulting with an elder law attorney could help you preserve assets and get you long-term care services sooner. Pre-planning is always best, but there are still options to preserve assets and quickly qualify for Medicaid to alleviate the financial burden of private-paying for long-term care. We can help you keep more of what you earned.
How does Medicaid qualification work?
In Michigan, the Medicaid program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The application process varies depending on if a person is married and whether the person is in a nursing home or living in the community. For a married couple there is additional paperwork that needs to be completed to determine the maximum protected spousal amount. Depending on the assets that you currently own or owned within the 5 year period prior to applying for Medicaid and your sources of income, the process can be simple or burdensome. MDHHS will require documentation for asset values and information regarding the sale or transfer of other assets. If you do not submit the required documentation, MDHHS can deny your application for assistance.
You can learn more about Michigan’s Long-Term Care System by visiting the MDHHS website.
How can an Elder Law Attorney assist me?
Elder law attorneys can help you understand the Medicaid programs that are available, which ones you might be able to qualify for (now or in the future), and what steps can be taken to get you qualified or to make qualification possible in the future. Various strategies can be employed, including modifications to existing estate plans, development of a spend down plan, gifting, purchasing a Medicaid compliant annuity, or creation of special trusts. Elder Law attorneys advise, prepare estate plan documents, gather documentation, and complete applications. Long-term care can cost well over $100,000 a year, and working with an attorney can help get you the medical care you need without depleting all of your resources.
The American Council on aging has a great website that provides information on why working with an Elder Law Attorney is a good idea.