Starting March 31, 2024, New York State will join California in imposing a 30-month Medicaid lookback for community-based long-term care (CBLTC) services. When you apply for Medicaid to cover these services, the state will review your financial records for the past 30 months to see if you qualify. This significant change will impact many New Yorkers, so it’s important...
Continue ReadingThe Medicaid program in each state can choose to include dental care coverage for its adult Medicaid recipients. Medicaid dental coverage in New York includes emergency and routine dental care to prevent severe diseases and life-threatening complications. The Law Office of Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C., assists New York seniors with all aspects of Medicaid planning. Even though many people...
Continue ReadingOne aspect of growing older and moving through retirement is determining how you will pay for healthcare. While you are working, you likely have health insurance from your employer. Once you reach 65 and retire, you may apply for Medicare and Medicaid. These government-run programs can help you afford healthcare as you age. The services covered by these two...
Continue ReadingMany New York seniors rely on Medicaid to fund their long-term care. Medicaid will cover nursing home care for those 65 and older who meet the financial eligibility criteria. It also pays for assisted living facilities, home health, and non-medical services that allow seniors to remain in their homes. These Medicaid services are available only to those residents with...
Continue ReadingMedicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the United States. About 80 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicaid. If you are considering applying for Medicaid, you may be wondering, Can I pass the income assessment of a New York Medicaid? In this blog, we discuss the requirements for the income assessment for Medicaid in New...
Continue ReadingAs of September 2021, 3,703,618 New Yorkers were enrolled in Medicare, and 7,213,006 had Medicaid. While you’ve probably heard of both Medicare and Medicaid, they are two different programs that help you pay for healthcare. Each program provides different benefits and has different costs. Your attorney can help explain the advantages and disadvantages of each program based on your...
Continue ReadingBefore a loved one passes, they may spend some time in the hospital. Hospital bills and treatment expenses can add up quickly, especially with a progressive illness like cancer that requires expensive care. Debt collectors may start calling you at all hours, even while experiencing bereavement. Rest assured that the law is in your favor. In most cases, spouses...
Continue ReadingIt’s a common misconception that anyone with assets isn’t eligible for Medicaid. In reality, 14% of all nursing home Medicaid applicants in 2012 had assets totaling over $100,000. New York requires those over 65 to report their income and assets (or “resources”) when applying for Medicaid. However, only some resources count toward the limit, and it only takes a...
Continue ReadingReceiving healthcare through a Medicaid-funded program can make a huge difference in your well-being, but qualifying for assistance can leave you with questions about how to pay for your other needs. Housing is one of those needs. As New Yorkers know, figuring out how to pay for housing in this great state can be a constant concern, especially on...
Continue ReadingLast month, New York finally adopted regulations implementing budget cuts from the state’s 2020 budget. Several of these regulations imposed a major change in Medicaid eligibility. These regulations also introduced a “lookback” period into New York’s state’s Medicaid program. While many agree that reforms to New York state’s regulations were necessary, the reception to the new rules is mixed....
Continue ReadingOne of the most challenging questions family members will find themselves asking as their loved one ages is whether or not to place that loved one in a nursing home. Every situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, you must consider all of the factors and then decide if nursing home care is...
Continue ReadingThe latest budget changes in New York have created numerous changes to the state’s Medicaid program, but none are more impactful than those to home care services. The current system will make access to much-needed care limited and require you to jump through more hoops than previous systems to receive such care. If you are already receiving home care...
Continue ReadingYou might not need community-based care, and you may not even be close to retirement, but regardless of where you are in your life, now is the ideal time to start planning for Medicaid. For the past two months, we have gone over the significant changes to Medicaid’s lookback period – specifically involving those who need community-based care. Today,...
Continue ReadingBig changes to Medicaid could impact who qualifies for this form of government insurance, especially for those seeking community-based care. Last month we discussed the critical changes, and now this month, we focus on what you can do to qualify for Medicaid in 2020 and beyond. The biggest changes affect those seeking long-term care in the community. While you...
Continue ReadingNew York is barely reopening, and already those looking into Medicaid are going to find that the rules have changed rather significantly. At Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C., we want you to be prepared for these changes, understand how they impact you and your loved ones, and help you understand if you qualify. In this three-part series, we will go...
Continue ReadingMedicaid has strict qualification requirements, which means you need to plan ahead and protect yourself from losing out on this healthcare option. You can protect assets from Medicaid in a trust, but only if you select the right type of trust. What Is a Medicaid Trust and How Does It Protect Your Assets? A Medicaid trust is an irrevocable...
Continue ReadingMost seniors and their loved ones apply for Medicaid themselves rather than use an attorney. While you don’t need an attorney to file your application, doing so provides you and your loved ones with numerous benefits. One of the biggest reasons seniors do not use attorneys is not because they don’t need one, but because they are afraid of...
Continue ReadingYou plan for retirement, you plan for significant expenses, but what about Medicare planning? Most individuals under the age of 65 do not think of Medicare until it is too late. Ideally, you want to start planning for Medicare benefits long before you need them. Doing so can ensure you are not only approved but have access to the...
Continue ReadingMedicaid’s application process is extensive, and it includes a detailed review of your assets. Certain assets can disqualify you from this federal and state program. But with the right planning, you might still qualify if you know which assets are countable and which are not. Medicaid and Medicare of often used synonymously, but these are different programs entirely. While...
Continue ReadingRetirement is around the corner. And while you have most of your retirement planning complete, the one area you put off is now knocking at the door. Medicare and Medicaid become staples for retirees in New York. Without them, you do not have coverage for prescriptions, medical costs, and even nursing care. Therefore, it is time to pull out...
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