What Happens When You Don’t File for Medicaid When You Should (Part 2) #Medicaid
           Last week I was telling you about the call I received from Shelly. Her mom was sued by the nursing home where her husband resided for the last 4 months of his life. She failed to file a Medicaid application which would have covered the cost of that care.Â
What to Do When You Get a Medicaid Estate Recovery Letter (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about Joe’s problem with Medicaid. After his Dad died he received a Medicaid estate recovery letter from the State of New Jersey looking to recoup $150,000 in benefits. He was not happy when I explained to him that under Medicaid rules they are owed that
I’ve Been Named Agent Under POA – Now What Do I Do? (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about Harry and Wilma.  They designated me as their agent under power of attorney, asking me to take over handling their financial affairs. They moved into a nursing home and I now had to figure out how to pay for it. Harry and Wilma were able
Medicaid Is No Piece of Cake (Part 1)
Mary Jane told me, “Mom has no money. She’s never had any money. But Medicaid still denied her application and now I owe the nursing home $40,000.” I knew there had to be more to her story. Sure enough, there was. It’s a very common belief that, because Mom and Dad
How is Co-Ownership Treated by Medicaid?
Joe was confused. He told me his mom had added his name as co-owner on her bank account more than 5 years ago, after he spoke with his friend, John who explained that by adding his name to the deed to his mother’s home, he had protected the home when
Is it Spent Down or Isn’t It?
If I owe someone money but it’s still in my account do I really still own it? Would the answer be different if that “someone” is the IRS? June called me concerning her dad. “He’s in a nursing home and has spent down his assets,” she said. “I applied for Medicaid
Can’t I Transfer My Home to My Child Who is Living with Me and Still Qualify for Medicaid? (Part 1)
This is a case of a little bit of information being a dangerous thing. Mom transferred her home to Susan 4 years ago. Mother and daughter had been living in the home for years. “Since I am living in the home isn’t it an exempt asset,” Susan asked. “Yes, it
A Muddy Medicaid Paper Trail Leads to Potential Financial Ruin ( Part 1)
Medicaid applications are getting tougher to get approved these days. Gail called us when Mom had just entered the nursing home after having lived with her for several years. Mom had 2 months of funds remaining. Gail called us to handle the Medicaid application. I told her we had to
Is it a Gift or Theft (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing Rachel’s recent discovery that while her sister, Sara, was managing Mom’s finances, Sara was taking or being given – depending on which way you look at it – Mom’s money. Now that Medicaid was looking like a real necessity, Rachel was concerned, and for good
Is There Any Gift Small Enough That Won’t Cause a Medicaid Penalty?
Whenever I explain how the Medicaid application process works, the toughest part is communicating to clients the uncertainty that exists because of the way the program is administered. And that can change at a moment’s notice so beware of what or who you rely on. Whenever I hear someone tell