OBBBA and Medicaid
Last year I wrote in this blog about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) which Congress passed and the President signed into law last year. OBBBA contains some changes to Medicaid, although they have not yet taken effect. Since the law’s passage, we have received calls from current and prospective clients
When Both Spouses Need Care – Part 3
In my past 2 blog posts I was explaining that when both spouses need long term care the common thought is to spend down all the assets for both of them first and then apply for Medicaid for both at the same time. That may not, however, be the best approach
When Both Spouses Need Care – Part 2
In my blog post last week, I wrote that in cases where both spouses need long term care, spending down the assets and then applying for Medicaid for both of them at the same time may not be the best approach. It may actually be better to apply for the first
When Both Spouses Need Care – Part 1
In some of my past blog posts, I have often presented scenarios in which one spouse needs long term care but the other one does not. When we do long term care planning before any care is needed, we typically recommend placing assets in a trust to help insure they will
Medicaid Redeterminations Revisited – Part 3
In my blog post last week about Medicaid redeterminations, I wrote about the reasons why Medicaid conducts annual redeterminations. Recent changes in the written application, however, has caused some confusion. As I explained last week, the application has more than doubled in length. The new “redet” application now looks more like the application
Medicaid Redeterminations Revisited – Part 2
In my blog post last week, I wrote about changes in Medicaid’s redetermination process, especially in the last 6 to 7 years. More recently, in the last 6 to 7 months, Medicaid has changed the redetermination application itself. Before the change, the “redet” application was 7 pages. Now it is more than double that,
Medicaid Redeterminations Revisited – Part 1
There are many misconceptions about Medicaid and the application process. One of them is that after Medicaid is approved, ”we are home free”, so to speak, meaning no more worries about the eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, not true. As I often tell new clients and their families, we first must focus on meeting all
Second Marriage Issues – Part 5
In last week’s blog post, I was in the midst of telling you about a dispute between Husband and his deceased Wife’s children regarding the sale of their home. Although 50% of the home was titled Husband and Wife joint with rights of survivorship (the other 50% owned by Wife’s children),
Second Marriage Issues – Part 4
In this week’s blog post I continue with a second marriage story. Wife had added Husband’s name to the deed to her home along with her children. Her intention was to allow him to remain in the home if she died first and then, when he died, the property would pass to
Don’t Forget About Medicaid’s Medical Test – Part 4
In my post last week, I explained the risk of residing in an assisted living facility (ALF), running out of money but being too healthy to meet Medicaid’s medical test. If the applicant is still only paying the basic room and board cost and not for any care when the money