General Discussion of the Medicaid Application Process

General Discussion of the Medicaid Application Process

In applying for institutional Medicaid, there are two basic documents that I present to my clients at the initial meeting. One document is a list of information required by the respective County Board of Social Services. For purposes of simplicity, this article shall relate to a single individual.

I. Typical information requested by a county board might include:

1. proof of age.
2. proof of citizenship.
3. proof of identity (such as driver’s license).
4. proof of marital status.
5. proof of residence.
6. proof of current gross income, which would include pension, social security, veterans benefits, earnings.
7. income tax returns for three years.
8. closed out accounts for the past period of time. The amount of time currently being reviewed by Medicaid increases each month with the initial month being February, 2006, so that for March, 2009, 37 months are reviewed and for April, 2009, 38 months would be reviewed.
9. life insurance policies.
10. prepaid funeral contract (if applicable).
11. health insurance ID information.
12. deed to house (if one is owned).
13. copies of nursing home bills.
14. social security and Medicare cards.
15. power of attorney (if applicable).

II. The second document that I present to the client is the application.

1. The application asks for clarity on much of the information discussed above, but includes questions such as transfers made during the aforementioned respective time periods.

2. Personal information relating to name, veteran status, history of residence, specific asset information, whether you are the beneficiary of someone’s insurance policy, pending lawsuits, medical coverage. Posts that discuss the information in detail are life insurance issues (Post 3), qualifying for Medicaid (Post 16).

III. At the initial meeting I discuss the facts to see if there are any obvious planning possibilities such as surrendering life insurance (Post 3), applicant residing with a caretaker child (Post 6), rules of Medicaid eligibility are reviewed (Post 7), resource limitations for community spouse not limited after applicant receives Medicaid (Post 13), whether a dependent relative resides in the house (Post 14), new transfer rules effective February, 2006 (Post 15), possibility of payment by applicant for care or services provided by child (Post 17), inadvertent disqualification of applicant (Post 21), methods of accelerating Medicaid eligibility (Post 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 20).



Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and each person may have unique facts for which legal consultation may be necessary.


© July 2009, Post 47