Is it worth it to pay a lawyer to help file for Medicaid?

And therein lies the problem. Are you applying for Community Medicare? NH Medicare? How much does mom have in assets and what is appropriate use of that money for spendown?

If the lawyer is a certified ElderCare atty, I'd say it's worthwhile.

No! I process MA applications for a living. just make sure to list everything, wait for the determination & appeal anything you don't agree with. depending on the type of Medicaid she is requesting (I live in NC) there are different income limits for i.e., private living Medicaid, long term care, or special assistance. don't waste $ on a lawyer. just know the state/counties eligibility requirements.

Most nursing homes have a Medicaid Specialist who helps you fill out and apply for the Medicaid. My husband is in a Veteran's Home and the girl who helped was wonderful and put me completely at ease even though it is a complicated and stressful process. We applied in December and it was not approved until May 1st. It was retroactive to December. The Medicaid Specialist put me in touch with a Lawyer who also was a specialist in the area of Medicaid. Her first session was free. She told me what I was able to safely spend and what I was not. I was shown how to set up Bank accounts and how to borrow against my husband's whole life insurance. He still has some of that insurance which I must pay interest on in order to retain it. Your insurance agent, your Medicaid Specialist and Lawyer are all a team who will help you. It is such a relief to know that my husband will be taken care of at the home for as long as he needs it. The process needs to be reviewed yearly so mine is coming up in December. I have no idea what that entails, but the Medicaid Specialist said it will be a review of the year to make sure I have no new income or nothing has changed in my financial situation.

In the experience of the folks who attend the Alzheimer's Association sponsored support group that I facilitate in Arizona, the cost of an elder attorney is well worth it.

First question: Is mom married? That has a bearing...

Also: "Half the money" is a vague term...Depends upon how much is half.
There is a top limit, although it is generous as I see it.

By all means get a qualified and WELL RECOMMENDED elder care atty, especially if mom has substantial financial means..

It is also a good idea to pay a fact-finding visit to your county social services department..You can speak to them without applying for Medicaid at the time of the visit...

Tip: Go to your social services office about a half hour before they open on a Wed morning. Be close to first in line...(Don't ask why I say this.)

Grace + Peace,

Bob

Absolutely! Best $3500 I had ever spent! The complexities of the process, coupled with the conflicting information--that is, if you can get any information to begin with--is not something to tackle unless you do not work full-time, are not faint of heart, and if you have a legal degree. Run to your nearest attorney, but one who specializes in Medicaid.

A very experienced elder law attorney will be a certified elder law attorney and have CELA after their name.

During a hospital stay, a social worker completed the paperwork and my dad was approved for Medicaid. However, To jeannegibbs point, he is married, had a couple of assets which cause him to have a significant monthly spend down which almost makes having Medicaid useless. My mom also had to write a spousal refusal letter so she cannot get Medicaid and now she needs it. If you can manage a lawyer, I'd say it's worth it. There may also be non-profit legal help in your area, a quick google search can help you find that answer. Good luck.

I'll just add one thing to the excellent previous answers. The situation with my late husband and I was similar to your mother's, and he was approved for Medicaid to pay for his nursing home, despite the fact that my income was higher than his. However, the contract the nursing home made me sign before admitting him said I was personally liable for all his expenses. If you can afford a lawyer, you will spare yourself the anxiety I lived with for two months before he was approved.

How do you find one that is qualified in this area? Local bar association?

What I would recommend you doing is going to your local human services and make an appointment with your case worker who has been assigned to your case. If you don't have one, I'm sure they'll probably assign you one. You can also ask at the window if someone can help you fill out your medicaid form. Just explain that it's hard to understand the forms and they'll arrange for you to sit down with someone who can help you with the form.

You can also speak with someone who already has Medicaid and see how they or someone they know can help you.

Yes a trust is an awesome solution. It creates financial options for her that will save her money in the long run. It will also allow you to have money available to improve her quality of life. You should definitely hire the attorney. As an only child having a professional trustee will offer you a lot of resources.

Unless the situation is very straight-forward, it is worth it.

My mother had no assets, was renting, didn't own a car or much of anything else. Her only income was SS. She first needed in-home care and then eventually a nursing home. One daughter was able to complete the application, no sweat.

When it comes to a situation where there are assets to spend down and/or preserve, where there is a community spouse, where the monthly income is over the limit, where there is a disabled adult child, if assets are owned jointly with other people, if there is a reverse mortgage, if there has been significant gifting in the last 5 years, is there is anything at all not perfectly routine, then, yes, paying a lawyer is worthwhile.