Understanding Medicaid Planning in Florida with the Help of an RTRLAW Attorney

When it comes to your health, everyone wants to receive the best care possible without worrying about expenses. Especially as we get older, we might need long-term health care either at home or at a skilled nursing facility, which can be costly.

Many Floridians are concerned about the high costs of long-term care and being able to afford it in their later years in life. On average, skilled nursing facilities can cost up to $10,000 per month. Such expenses can wipe out a savings account and other assets quickly. Floridians have worked hard all their lives and want to be able to pass down their assets to their next generation of loved ones instead of sacrificing all their earnings to long-term care.

Medicaid is a U.S. government program that provides health insurance for adults and children with limited resources. It can be used for long-term care but is generally only available to low-income people or people with disabilities. Thankfully there is a way to qualify for government assistance through Medicaid for long-term care without having to give up all of your assets to the government. RTRLAW’s elder law attorneys specialize in protecting our clients’ assets while making them eligible to receive Medicaid for long-term care when needed.

So, how can you enjoy the benefits of your hard work and savings and still get Medicaid to help out when you need it? That’s called Medicaid planning, and the qualified elder law attorneys at RTRLAW are here to guide you through it.

Why Do We Need Medicaid Planning?

Think of Medicaid planning as preparing for a long journey. Before you travel, you pack everything you need, right? Similarly, before you or a family member might need long-term care, you need to plan out your finances and rearrange your savings and assets as necessary. By doing so, you make sure:

• Your savings remain safe and sound for your family’s future.
• You avoid any mistakes that can stop you from getting help from Medicaid.
• You and your family can relax, knowing you’re prepared for the future.

What Healthcare Services are Covered by Medicaid in Florida?

In Florida, Medicaid covers the following services for qualified individuals:

• Doctors’ appointments
• Doctor-prescribed drugs
• Lab testing
• All outpatient and inpatient hospital care
• X-rays
• Hospice care
• Home health care
• Dental care for those under age 21
• Medical transportation services
• Medical supplies and equipment

Although it’s a federal program, Medicaid provides different services in each state. Every state gets to decide if they want to include certain services, such as eye care or dental care for adults. The states also decide how long you can have these services and how much of them you get.

For instance, if you have Medicaid in Florida, you might not be able to have an operation to replace your liver if you keep drinking alcohol. Also, the plan might not cover every check-up or health screening you think you should have.

How Can an Attorney Help You with Your Medicaid Planning?

As you might be able to tell, Medicaid has a variety of complex rules. It checks how you’ve spent or saved your money in the past few years. If you don’t plan correctly, you might not be eligible to get the Medicaid assistance you need when you need it. That’s where RTRLAW steps in.

Our Medicaid planning attorneys help in several ways:

• We can show you how to keep your assets safe while following Medicaid’s rules. For example, our attorneys can help you set up special trusts to protect your assets years before you need to apply for Medicaid.
• Filling out Medicaid forms can be confusing. We help you do that correctly so that you have the best chance of getting approved.
• We also help you set up important documents called advanced directives that indicate who can make important financial and health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated. This way, your wishes are always followed.
• If you’re married, and only one of you needs long-term care with Medicaid, we can help the other spouse stay in their home with enough income to remain financially stable and comfortable.

Planning Ahead with RTRLAW

As we Floridians know with hurricanes, it’s always better to be prepared. It’s the same thing with long-term care and Medicaid. The earlier you start planning, the more options you have. Plus, with some pre-planning, you’ll get peace of mind knowing everything’s taken care of when you need it.

You can find comfort in knowing that your RTRLAW elder law attorney is working hard on your behalf. Our legal professionals will assist you every step of the way in the process of qualifying for Medicaid services and will employ all the legal strategies and tools necessary to achieve the best outcome possible for your situation.

RTRLAW’s Medicaid Planning services are tailored to meet your specific needs. Individuals who apply for Medicaid may be DENIED when applying on their own. Appeals to a denial often require a hearing. Our legal team also has the litigation experience needed to assist you in a Medicaid hearing.

We are committed to our clients and have been helping families in Florida since 1988. We understand the struggle of planning for the future and many of the unexpected medical needs associated with long-term care.

Whether you’re in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, or anywhere in Florida, our elder law attorneys are here to help.

Ready to Start Your Medicaid Journey?

At RTRLAW, we make Medicaid planning simple. Contact us or call or text our friendly, smart and experienced Medicaid planning attorneys today toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787). You also can send us a note at [email protected]. We’re excited to be your guides on your long-term care journey and get the Medicaid ball rolling for you and your loved ones immediately.