Proactive Planning for Senior Medicaid Programs Makes the Process Easier and Saves Money

By: Kevin R. Albaum, Esq.
Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A.

Medicaid programs are often available to senior citizens in Florida to help pay for home care, assisted living, and nursing home expenses. However, there are complex rules regarding eligibility to qualify for these Medicaid programs. Knowing the eligibility rules of these programs prior to needing to apply is helpful, not only for the individual or couple, but also for the attorney that often assists with legal planning to preserve assets for a spouse or family. Regardless of the urgency for the need for senior care, taking the time to confer with an elder law attorney helps seniors and their families understand what Medicaid programs are available, who qualifies for them and why an individual may qualify for some programs and not others.

Q. When is it recommended to meet with an elder law attorney to discuss Medicaid issues and planning?

While personal situations differ, below are two examples of common situations when a person may consider contacting an elder law attorney to discuss Medicaid needs.

Example Client #1: My husband and I are both in our sixties and we know we may need Medicaid in the future. Could we meet to learn more about the available Medicaid programs that may help us pay for any future assisted living or nursing home care costs? In this situation, I generally meet with individuals to discuss, assess, and plan their current situation and their future health care and financial needs. We also look to identify potential future roadblocks to obtaining Medicaid benefits and we further explain the programs that potentially might be available based on the current and future situation. Finally, we discuss and analyze the “what ifs” such as the event of an unforeseen crisis and the need to become eligible for appropriate benefits as quickly as possible.

Example Client #2: My 90-year-old dad is out of money and he has dementia. He is in a nursing home and he needs financial assistance as soon as possible. Can you help me get Medicaid benefits for Dad? When I receive calls like this example, not only are the family and lawyer dealing with the same complex legal subject matter as the client in Example 1, but we also are dealing with a loved one who is either already in or is in the process of moving to a nursing home. Additionally, due to the high cost of care and lack of available funds to pay for care, we now have a built-in deadline to complete any necessary legal planning and to resolve any unexpected disqualifying issues. In this type of “crisis” scenario, becoming eligible for benefits is still possible; however, the ability to proactively plan and the options for planning are often more limited than they might have been a few years prior to the crisis.

Proactively planning, not only often saves clients time but also can reduce the future costs of senior care and legal expenses.

Kevin Albaum is an attorney in the Elder Law Practice at Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. Questions can be submitted online to thelaw@cclmlaw.com.

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Kevin Albaum

Associate at Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A.

Kevin Albaum was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He grew up spending a lot of time on the water either boating, fishing, wakeboarding, or jetskiing. Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree at Florida State University where he competed for FSU’s mock trial team across the country. Immediately upon graduation, he enrolled at Stetson University’s College of Law in Gulfport, Florida due to their specialty program in elder law and his passion for that specific field of the law.

Kevin moved to Lakeland, Florida to join Clark, Campbell, Lancaster, and Munson where he practices in the areas of: elder law, guardianship, estate planning, trust administration, and Medicaid. Since moving to Lakeland, he has become involved with the Alzheimer’s Association Walk Committee, EMERGE Lakeland, and VISTE.