What's the first step to getting Medicaid?

Medicaid will not cover a "retirement community"/senior apartments. Medicaid rules also have different income limits in different states. Start by searching at Medicaid.gov for your state website. Start keeping a file of bank statements and tax returns, gather up insurance policies and vehicle titles. You will need at least five years of records to show to Medicaid.

@sforeman, hire a GOOD elder care attorney ASAP. I hired a woman who spoke at a Hospice seminar, she's the President of Caregiver Support & Resources in n FL, & she literally saved our financial lives - but do NOT wait!!! I can't emphasize that enough!!! Yes, she's a little expensive but it's WORTH it - I wish I knew what state you were in - if you're in FL I can give you her name.

anyone know of a good elder law lawyer in MD? I have met two and while one is probably a good one to go with, the other was outrageously expensive but most frustrating was they each came up with a different way to go if my spouse needs to go in a NH and we need Medicaid.

Im in Florida, krusso! please give me her name! lindaatactampa.org!

A lot of hospitals in ks will start the process of filing if you have any treatment at that facility. You will still need all the docs that pstegman mentioned and they will tell you the spend down amount so you can qualify.

You need to know the perameters for Medicaid before you start any application process. Why is her monthly income dropping from over $1,600.00 per month to $1,350.00 per month...S.S. My understanding is that the S.S. payments are uniform throughout the year and may go up, not down, in January of every year.

Spelling error: "parameters".....not "perameters"...sorry.

Does anyone know a good elder attorney that is at a reasonable cost in Lansing or East Lansing Michigan

Does anyone know of a good Elder Law attorney in Las Vegas, NV

Since you have time to plan, I recommend you get started learning what you can and can't, should or shouldn't do. That's why I wrote my book on Medicaid planning, How to Protect Your Family's Assets From Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets (www.MedicaidSecrets.com). I hope it will be of some help to you. You may be able to find it in the library, too.

Does she have any other assets besides her income? That will also be considered. An elder law attorney is a good idea. They are helpful in giving guidance in how to spend down her assets.

Even if she can't qualify for Medicaid, there may be another state program that can help her. My cousin had two little annuities that disqualified her for our state medicaid, however she did qualify for a similar program.

@sforeman it's encouraging to see you taking initiative ahead of time on your mother's behalf. If only more people took that kind of responsibility! From what you wrote down it doesn't appear that your mom has a lot of assets to worry about protecting. So an elder law attorney may just be an added expense that you're not willing to bear. In that case I would advise you to go to your local Division of Family or Senior Services- whatever it may be called in your area- and find out what the criteria is for signing up for Medicaid. Find out what kind of documentation you will need to submit. And also find out what the income cap is in order to receive Medicaid services.

In the event that your mom does have assets that need protecting such as a house, then I would advise you to elicit an elder law attorney. To find an elder law attorney- some of which may give free counsel based on need- visit this site sponsored by the Agency on Aging at http://www.nlrc.aoa.gov/nlrc/Services_Providers/ where you can search by your specific state.

I hope you found this information helpful. And I hope that your mom's transition in care is a smooth and positive one.

Brit and all others if you are in Colorado I could definitely help you. I know a couple great ones and another that you should stay away from at all possible costs!

How did I find the good ones? I didn't know where to start just started talking to people. One is excellent because I knew we would end up in court and is rated as such on AVVO website. The second is also a great attorney if you need Medicaid planning, trust documents, etc. He is also listed as excellent on AVVO. There is another website super lawyers, but it seems that it is more a service paid foe by attorneys for marketing purposes.

My only suggestion if you have some family contention involved, make sure you retain a litigator, or money could be down the drain f you first try to work with an attorney that is a good document preparer.

I think what she is saying, N1K2R3, is that the nursing home she is in costs $1600/month. Mom only gets $1350 SS and has to make up the difference. That is why her money is running out. (My mom is in a similar situation). However, I want to know where you found a nursing home for $1600 a month? Ours is $3000/mo.

To care4mom85, try Kim Boyer, she's in Las Vegas. I know others who have been happy with her services. Also, I just heard her speak at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Brain Center. She wrote the book on legal issues for elders in NV. You can even get it at the library.

If you are in the state of California I can give you the name of an excellent woman who works with you to tell you what to do and what not to do. She also assists you with getting your parent on Medicaid/Medi Cal and handles the paperwork.