Being able to provide for your financial and medical needs as you age is essential to living a full, healthy, and happy life.
Applying for Medicaid benefits can help you secure the medical coverage you need to care for yourself.
Medicaid also funds long-term care services to those who receive benefits and are eligible.
But applying for Medicaid can be complicated and time-consuming, leading to frustration and even denials.
Medicaid planning attorneys help people in your situation apply for benefits to get the support they deserve. The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. has provided compassionate and comprehensive legal assistance to the Waco community since 1962.
We understand how important it is to secure benefits and create long-term care plans that provide our clients with the security they need.
Below, the estate attorneys at The Zimmerman Law Firm go over the details of Medicaid planning in Texas. If you have any questions, please contact us online or call (254) 271-2540.
What Is Medicaid and Long-Term Planning?
In Texas, Medicaid provides coverage for long-term care services, including nursing home care, for eligible individuals who meet certain income and asset requirements.
To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care benefits in Texas, an individual must meet certain financial and medical criteria.
Financial eligibility is based on income and assets, and the limits vary depending on the individual’s circumstances.
Once an individual is deemed eligible for Medicaid long-term care benefits, the program will cover the cost of nursing home care, up to a certain limit.
The specific amount of benefits will depend on the level of care needed and the costs of care in the individual’s specific location.
Further, the limits may depend on the individual plan the person receives. A Medicaid planning attorney can help you navigate the Medicaid process in Texas and understand the plans available to you and what might be in your best interests.
How Can an Attorney Help with the Medicaid and Long-Term Planning Process?
While you are not required to have an attorney to apply for Medicaid in Texas, there are several reasons why hiring an attorney to help you apply for Medicaid can be beneficial.
A lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible for benefits and assist you in completing the often complex application process. Further, they can help put together a plan to protect your assets.
If Medicaid denies your application, your lawyer can file an appeal and advocate for your right to receive benefits.
Eligibility Determination
An attorney can help determine whether you or your loved one is eligible for Medicaid benefits and can assist in addressing any potential issues during the eligibility determination process. Federal and Texas laws have specific requirements about who qualifies for benefits under Medicaid.
A lawyer can review your circumstances and advise you if you are eligible for Medicaid or another Texas program. They can also help you fill out and submit the necessary paperwork to claim your benefits.
Asset Protection
If you or a loved one is in need of skilled nursing care, you may be concerned about protecting assets and ensuring that they are not depleted by the cost of care.
A Medicaid planning attorney can help you develop a plan to protect those assets while still qualifying for Medicaid benefits. For example, the lawyer may help you create a trust to hold some of your assets while giving you the financial support you need for necessary care.
Complexity of the Application Process
The Medicaid application process can be complex, particularly for those who are not familiar with the eligibility requirements and the various documents that are required.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate the process, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and submitted on time. Delays in submitting the proper paperwork can have significant impacts on your situation, especially if you depend on the benefits to sustain yourself.
An attorney can help streamline the process and take care of legal matters so you can have peace of mind.
Appeals and Denials
If Medicaid denies your application benefits, an attorney can help with the appeals process, working to overturn the denial and ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
We understand how important it is for you to receive financial and medical support and will leave no stone unturned during the appeals process.
Our team will thoroughly review the situation and research all available avenues to help you receive the benefits you deserve under the current law.
The Medicaid Planning Attorneys at The Zimmerman Law Firm Can Help
Whether you should apply for Medicaid long-term care benefits depends on the financial situation, marital status, and health condition of you or your loved one.
Ultimately, the decision to apply for Medicaid long-term care benefits should be based on a thorough evaluation of your individual situation. Our firm has lived in and served Central Texas communities for over 60 years.
In 1992, Michael Zimmerman joined the law firm founded by his father, Roger Zimmerman, and hasn’t looked back since. Under his leadership, the firm has grown to become one of the largest personal injury and estate planning attorneys in Texas.
He treats each client with the utmost respect and truly cares about the outcome of the case. When you work with The Zimmerman Law Firm, you work directly with the attorney assigned to your matter.
Call The Zimmerman Law firm today at (254) 271-2540 or contact us online for a complimentary evaluation.