Medicaid Planning
Securing government benefits for the senior or disabled client requires comprehensive knowledge of the complicated and evolving Medicare and Medicaid laws and regulations. At Procter and Callahan, LLC, after more than 10 years of experience working with these programs, we have the expertise to assist our clients in obtaining the maximum benefits to which they are entitled.
Medicare is the current national health insurance plan that provides defined medical benefits to Social Security retirees over 65 years of age and disabled adults receiving Social Security benefits for more than two years. Basic Medicare is divided into Parts A and B. Part A covers hospital costs, usually without a premium. Part B covers doctors' charges and other services for a premium. Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit for an additional premium.
Medicaid is a public entitlement program that pays for defined medical benefits including long term care, assisted living, and home and community based services (HCBS) for those with limited resources. The Medicaid program is jointly funded and administered by the state and federal government. In Colorado, the program is adminstered by the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing. The county Departments of Social Services administer the program at the local level.
To qualify for Medicaid long term care, a client must meticulously follow the applicable state and federal regulations. There are three distinct eligibility requirements for Medicaid. Applicants must meet all three requirements. The requirements are: 1) Categorical (Medical), 2) Income, and 3) Resources (Assets). At Procter and Callahan, LLC, we counsel our clients and their families regarding all aspects of Medicaid planning including qualification, spousal protection, and asset transfers, or gifting penalties.
We work with our clients to preserve assets using government approved supplemental needs trusts, disability trusts, simple life estates, and annuities
when appropriate. If Medicaid planning is done far enough in advance of long term care, we are able to protect additional assets. We work with our clients
to legally maximize the amount of resources they are able to protect while maintaining eligibility for Medicaid.