THE COMPLEX MEDICAID APPLICATION PROCESS: DON’T GO IT ALONE

By: BENJAMIN D. ECKMAN, ESQ.

Elder Law Attorney

    The Medicaid application process is complex. Have you ever been audited by the IRS? If you ever received an IRS audit notice the first thing you did was probably contact either your CPA or your lawyer. Either way I bet you did not handle the audit yourself, but had the expert represent you.

     When it comes to applying for Medicaid for a loved one clients often times hire non- lawyers to apply on their behalf – or even worse they do the application themselves. Whereas the IRS audit focuses on one year only, a Medicaid application requires you to submit financial statements to the local county board of social services for the last five (5) years.

     For over twenty five years, the Law Firm of Benjamin D. Eckman has successfully qualified applicants for Medicaid. We review all financial information before the application is submitted and anticipate any issues the case worker may flag.

     The complex Medicaid Application process requires great detail and organization, from gathering five (5) years of bank statements, proof of documentation and life insurance, to meeting with the County Medicaid Agency and navigating a maze of rules and regulations.

     There is a lot at risk with both an IRS audit and a Medicaid application. One mistake in eligibility can cost you months of nursing home care. Take my expert advice and allow us to handle the Medicaid application process, so you can focus your time to care for your loved one.

Benjamin D. Eckman, Esq. concentrates his practice on Elder Law & Estate Planning. Elder law is intended to broadly assist “extended living”. An elder law practitioner provides the legal information necessary for persons whose lives will extend or have already extended beyond the time when all children are usually out of the house and when regular employment ceases. After the elder law attorney and client complete their work, legal documents have been drafted, tax considerations have been analyzed, and a plan to protect the elder’s estate has been implemented.

Benjamin D. Eckman’s practice focuses on Estate Planning & Elder Law – legal issues facing senior citizens. Benjamin D. Eckman received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Accounting from Touro College and his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Elder Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Union County Bar Association, Passaic County Bar Association and the Bergen County Bar Association. He can be reached at (973) 709-0909, (908) 224-4357 or (201) 263-9161.