Is the Heat Really Off? (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about Charlie and Doris. We were in the midst of spending down assets and preparing to file a Medicaid application for Charlie, a nursing home resident, when he passed away. So no need to do anything further as far as long term care planning –
Why the Nursing Home Shouldn’t File Your Application (Part 2)
A few weeks ago we were discussing Barry’s problem. He had spent down Dad’s assets towards his nursing home care and the facility said they would file the Medicaid application. He gave them the financial records and other documents they requested. They said they would handle the rest. So what
Why You Shouldn’t Walk into the Medicaid Office Alone
Last year I wrote about the dangers of filing a Medicaid application yourself, without any idea of how the Medicaid rules work. But, in the past month we have had a rash of calls from folks who did just that and ended up with Medicaid penalties – months of
Is Paying Cash a Problem When Filing a Medicaid Application?
This week I am pleased to introduce a new feature to my blog called “Elder Law in a Minute”. This is a short video in which people have an opportunity to ask some of their most pressing elder law questions, ones that may be on your mind too. We’ll mix
Are There Really Any Easy Medicaid Applications?
Ben calls us with some basic questions about his mom’s long term care needs as she is very close to needing nursing home care. The subject turns inevitably to Medicaid as I explain the complexities of the program and how people get tripped up by it with often disastrous
Are You Walking into the Medicaid Office Blindfolded?
Here’s the scenario. Mary calls because Dad’s money is going to run out in a few months. She is anticipating the need for Medicaid but wants to get the jump on things by applying now because she heard it can take several months to qualify. My answer is that you
“But We Did Exactly What the Medicaid Caseworker Said”
So many ways to get tripped up by the Medicaid system. Here’s yet another one. John was agent under power of attorney for his mom who was in a nursing facility. Over the past 3 years he had spent Mom’s money down for her care and then applied for Medicaid.
Can I Make Gifts this Holiday Season? (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about gift giving. Most people assume an elderly family member can make gifts without any tax consequences as long as it doesn’t exceed $13,000 per person per year. That’s true. However, it may very well cause a problem if you run out of money and
The Money Wasn’t a Gift – It Was a Transfer to a Caregiver (Part 1)
I received a call last week from Jim. His tale was a variation on the same theme you have heard me reiterate for the last few years if you have been reading my blog – how the Medicaid rules are a trap for the unwary. Jim’s dad had cared for