Should you prepare a Medicaid nursing home application yourself or hire an attorney? For some people, it might not make a difference but for others, attempting to file the application without legal help can prove to be financially disastrous. Even worse is letting the nursing home or some non-lawyer “Medicaid Specialist” prepare the application. Medicaid application rules are complex and subject to change or re-interpretation by the State without notice.

If you are a married couple and one of you is needing nursing home care, it is vitally important that you understand the rules and how the “at-home spouse” can be protected. Most Medicaid applicants must “spend down” to qualify for Medicaid. How you spend down is the key. Does the spend down benefit the nursing home or the “at-home spouse?” A competent elder law attorney will know the ins and outs of the application process and may very well save far more than the legal fees incurred. Sometimes planning techniques used by non-lawyers can actually result in a disqualification for Medicaid because of a transfer of assets or the use of a non-compliant trust.

There are many articles on the web addressing this. While not New Hampshire specific there is a good one at Elder Law Answers.

If you have questions regarding Medicaid for nursing homes, we would be glad to help. Just call and schedule an appointment: 603-249-5925