It is our hope that you will find information in this guide that will help you work through the MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY MAZE, and obtain eligibility for your loved one to receive Medicaid benefits. We have compiled information to help you on this journey. It must be said, however, that to qualify someone for Medicaid benefits is not for the weak-hearted, or the procrastinator. The process is long, laborious, paper-intensive, and often frustrating.
Medicaid Eligibility Planning
Medicaid Eligibility planning is the process of positioning your income and assets so that you can legally qualify for Medicaid benefits, while preserving as much of your resources as possible. Medicaid Eligibility planning helps you secure long term care at the lowest possible legal price.
Historically, the high cost of long term care has plagued American families for decades. The government had to develop a program to help keep an individual in custodial care. The laws were changed in 1986, and a new Medicaid Eligibility criteria was established. It increased the amount of assets you can keep and still be eligible for government assistance to pay for your care. Many seniors still believe that the Medicaid program is “welfare”…which is far from the truth. On-going custodial care has become a very common and widespread problem for our society, and the government designed a program to reduce the burden on our seniors, and keep them from impoverishing themselves. As “open” as the program was from conception, there have been constant changes to the Medicaid eligibility rules, and with the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, more stringent rules now apply, as discussed further in this guide.
We have compiled SOME of the myriad of Medicaid eligibility rules and regulations, and more specifically, those that apply to the State of Florida. However, we have affiliated network personnel across the country who can aid us with qualifying persons from other states, as well. If you are an adult child living in another state, and attempting to help Mom or Dad prepare for the possibility of entering a skilled nursing facility in the near future, please read this guide carefully. It is your GUIDE, also.
Perhaps your loved one is your spouse, and the prospect of placing him/her in a skilled nursing facility is very painful. We understand this is a difficult decision for the family to make. We offer encouragement and compassion to the family in easing the stress level by managing the Medicaid Eligibility planning Program FOR you.
Repeatedly, throughout this guide, we have encouraged the reader to “think twice” before proceeding on their own, because making mistakes in this program can cost the family their entire life savings! We, at The Angel Solution stand ready to “rescue” you at any point along the trip, and place your feet firmly in our Medicaid Eligibility planning program. We process Medicaid Applications 24/7. That’s all we do!
However, if you choose to “go it alone”, we have compiled information and examples for your use. We hope you find this guide helpful, and wish you success in your travels through the process.
Although the Medicaid Program is a federal program, it is mandated and implemented by each state, individually. For this publication, we are using “rules and regulations” set by the State of Florida, however, we network with other states for current information and counsel.
Medicaid eligibility is regulated and managed by the Department of Children & Families in Florida. For purposes of this guide, we will refer to the above agency as “DCF”.
Medicaid Eligibility Process
It is important that we again inform you that qualifying for Medicaid eligibility assistance is labor-intensive, and complicated.
The process for Medicaid eligibility qualification presented in this guide is for INFORMATION ONLY. Simply put, we are introducing you to the concepts for help in understanding your options. It is our belief that a Medicaid eligibility professional should be consulted for each and every case. The The Angel Solution does not practice law, however we have the services of an affiliate attorney to draft, modify, and execute documents necessary for medicaid qualification. Most of these services are included in the cost of our Medicaid Eligibility planning and application process.
Timely filing of your application with the Department of Children and Families is crucial.
With rules and regulations changing, the date of filing your application has a huge bearing on the look-back time, and penalties. At The Angel Solution, we will assess your optimal timelines, and meet the deadlines…as part of your total package. However, if you decide to complete the process yourself, we have compiled the following information for you.
Medicaid Eligibility Planning Strategies
There are some things that you can begin to take care of today to ensure that if Medicaid Eligibility planning is needed, you will be in a good position to complete the application process.
- Be certain that you know where the important documents are, such as birth certificates, Medicare cards for you and spouse, Social Security statements and cards.
- Have your attorney look over your legal documents. Medicaid requires SPECIFIC wording in the Living Will. A DURABLE
- Power of Attorney should be appointed well in advance of needing Medicaid benefits.
- Keep copies of bank statements, investment statements (year end on investments will be accepted if they are the latest you have).
- Start visiting some local skilled nursing facilities to get familiar with where your loved one might be resident.
- Inform your doctor that you are beginning this process and will need his signature on the 3008 form when the decision has been made.
- Talk to your children (or any other close relative) about the plans you are making. It eases the anxiety when placement is necessary.
- Do not make any transfers or gifts that are not for fair value.
