One of the most challenging aspects for senior citizens who anticipate one day needing long-term care services is managing to legally divest themselves of the assets they wish to leave to their heirs so they qualify for governmental benefits. Nobody wants to see...
How far back will MassHealth review your transfers if you apply?
Medicaid could be a part of your future, which is why you need to think about qualifying for it even if you don't need those benefits right now. As someone living in Massachusetts, if you need to move into an assisted living facility or require other forms of...
What are some common reasons Medicaid coverage is denied?
As an American, you probably have at least some awareness of the federally mandated Medicaid program. To sum it up as briefly as possible, the program helps low-income and disabled individuals cover necessary healthcare costs such as surgery, hospitalizations and...
Common mistakes in Medicaid care planning
During the bad days at work, a few things may have kept you going: First, that when you retire, you can enjoy spending some of your hard-earned cash, and second, that you leave your children a healthy estate to give them a helping hand. Sadly, for many people, these...
Medicaid planning can include irrevocable trusts
Salem area residents may already know that a stay in a nursing home can be extremely costly. They may want to utilize Medicaid benefits to help pay for long-term care but may be concerned that they will have to deplete their assets to qualify, leaving their heirs with...
Careful planning for incapacity helps estate planners and family
The importance of planning for incapacity cannot be overstated. Planning for incapacity in advance can be helpful for estate planners and their loved ones if the estate planner becomes incapacitated at some point. Incapacity can make it difficult, or impossible, for...
Planning Helps Protect an Aging Parent
A parent is more than a person who raises their child. A parent is an expert in sacrifice and a master of organization. A parent is a committed optimist who believes that the future can be better for their child than the past was for them. A parent is an advocate, a...
What is a Medicaid compliant annuity?
We’ve talked before about how many Massachusetts residents should consider Medicaid planning as they approach the age in which they may have to rely on a nursing home for full-time care. The cost of this type of care is expensive, potentially costing tens of thousands...
Legally spend down resources for Medicaid eligibility
As the cost of nursing home increases, many Salem residents may find themselves worrying about how they will cover the cost of long-term care. As they turn towards Medicaid, it is important to keep in mind that it is a means-tested program that depends on one’s...
How can trusts be used in Medicaid planning?
Many people in Massachusetts plan on using Medicaid as a means for paying for long-term care when they age. However, what they may not know is that Medicaid is a means-tested program, and funds won’t be paid out unless a person’s assets and income are below a very low...