Compassionate Long Island Medicaid Attorney Ready To Assist You

Medicaid lawyer in long island

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that pays for a home health aide or nursing home for qualifying individuals. Many believe that they cannot qualify for Medicaid. However, this is a very common misconception. The truth is that with the proper planning, many can qualify.

Our highly skilled Long Island Medicaid lawyer can work to create a plan that will protect your assets and make you eligible for benefits when you need them. Contact the Law Office of Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C. today.

When applying for Medicaid, the local Department of Social Services considers three factors:

  • The need of the applicant to receive the care they are seeking.
  • The income of the applicant and their spouse, including Social Security, pension, distributions from retirement accounts, rental, and investment income.
  • The resources or assets of the applicant and their spouse, including but not limited to the value of their house, investments, savings, and cash value of insurance policies.

The criteria for the above factors differ depending on the Medicaid program you are applying for.

Note: Medicaid Law Update – October 2021

New York finally adopted several regulations that imposed a major change in Medicaid eligibility. These regulations also introduced a “look-back” period into New York’s state’s Medicaid program.

A 30-month look-back provision gives the state the power to review the financial statements of anyone who is applying for home health care, private nurses, and other kinds of assisted living.  By “looking back” at these records during the time period prior to their Medicaid application, the state can limit applicants’ eligibility.

Learn more about these changes if you’re planning to apply for Medicaid. Let our trusted attorney assist you with your Medicaid application.

Different Medicaid Program

Community Based Medicaid (home health aide)

Most People who require assistance with the activities of daily living would prefer to remain in their home and receive the assistance of a home health aide. The cost could well exceed $4,000 per month. Fortunately, there is no lookback period on uncompensated transfers when applying for Community-based Medicaid. There are, however, income requirements when applying for community based Medicaid. Andrew M. Lamkin is an experienced Medicaid lawyer in New York and can work with you to protect your assets and income should you require the assistance of a home health aide.

  • Do you currently pay privately for home care services?
  • Home Are you concerned that you would not be able to retain the aide that you currently employ?

Institutional Medicaid (Nursing Home)

For those who must reside in a Nursing Facility, the Institutional Medicaid program is a payment option to strongly consider. When applying for Institutional Medicaid, the local Department of Social Services will look back five (5) years for uncompensated transfers you have made. The total value of these transfers will create a penalty period during which you will be required to pay privately for the care. Transfers to spouses and disabled children are not considered in the five year period and do not create a penalty period.

However, proper planning can protect your assets so that you will be eligible for Medicaid when you need to apply. An experienced Long Island Medicaid attorney can also reduce the penalty period so that if you have not properly planned, some of your assets will be protected.

Pooled Income Trusts

When receiving Community Based Medicaid, you are allowed to keep $800 per month of your income, plus any costs you incur from health insurance premiums. Your additional income (called a “spenddown”) must be used on the cost of your care, with Medicaid paying for the remainder.

A Pooled Income Trust is a vehicle used to protect this “spenddown” so that your income can be used to pay your household bills.

How can a Long Island Medicaid Lawyer help?

An elderly thinking about Medicaid in Long Island.

Obtaining Medicaid is a complicated application and eligibility process. The Law Office of Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C. is aware of all the intricacies of Medicaid law and can work with you to determine the best way to protect your assets and income for your family.

Our experienced legal practitioner also handles other types of cases, including:

Contact me online to schedule an appointment with an experienced Long Island Medicaid attorney. I am available to meet with you at your home or my office.

Caretaking aging parents can often encompass a great deal of stress. In order to alleviate some of the more daunting applications for government assistance with Medicare, then Medicaid, I enlisted the services of Andrew Lamkin, Esq. to be sure I was doing the right thing by my mother. I was very satisfied with Mr. Lamkin’s services and found his staff and attendance to my mother’s issues to be both efficient and most capable. I would recommend Andrew Lamkin and his staff to anyone wishing to accomplish the best in care for their parents.

-Eileen M, Flushing, NY.