Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Are you an attorney or do you work for an attorney.
A: The Medicaid Matters consultant is not an attorney. The consultant's focus is on Medicaid Planning, and Assistance with Filing the Medicaid Application; however, there are times when legal services are needed in order to further protect assets. In order to have a complete Long Term Plan, Medicaid Matters will often offer suggestions, such as a getting a Power of Attorney (Health or Property), Estate Planning, or other legal documents; however, it is up to the client to decide whether or not to pursue additional legal services. In some cases attorneys outsource the Medicaid application to Medicaid Matters as part of implementing a Long Term Care Plan they've prepared for their client. Q: Won't a nursing home help me with Medicaid? A: Yes, some will; and some only provide minimal assistance (they give you the application and a list and tell you to bring everything back when you're ready to file). Some nursing homes outsource to companies that will help file for Medicaid. However, nursing homes are a business, too, so there may be a conflict of interest in wanting privately paying clients to pay as long as possible. Q: How do you save me money (i.e. how do you justify your fees)? A: Medicaid Matters saves money by: 1) using its experience to help document and protect as much of the assets as possible for the benefit of the non-Medicaid spouse, and the Medicaid applicant, 2) alerting clients to certain transfers or countable assets that could cause a delay in Medicaid coverage, 3) making recommendations and accessing in-home care and adult day service care if/when full-time nursing home may not be necessary, and 4) using its time and expertise to get an application prepared and filed quickly (avoiding additional months of private pay due to denied or unfiled applications). Medicaid often backdates its applications to cover up to 3 months prior to the date of the application, thus, a portion of the funds that would have been paid to the nursing home can be used to pay the Medicaid Matters fees instead. In addition, Medicaid Matters offers clients a choice of services depending on how much work the client wishes to do themselves. See Services. Q: I have a different question, not addressed in this section, how do I ask? A: Please submit your question by clicking on Contact Medicaid Matters. |