Charlotte Medicaid Planning Lawyer

Charlotte Medicaid Planning Attorney

Medicaid is a crucial resource for individuals and families in need of ways to cover the cost of long-term healthcare and medical expenses. However, the application process can be difficult to navigate for someone who is unfamiliar with it.

The eligibility requirements can also create several points of confusion. These are just a few of the reasons why a Charlotte Medicaid planning lawyer at Orsbon & Fenninger, LLP can be helpful in understanding your options and developing a strategy.

Medicaid planning requires careful consideration of an individual’s income limits, asset protection strategies, and the possible effects that such a plan may have on a person’s estate. Compliance with state and federal laws is also a requirement. With the right legal support, you can navigate all of these complexities while also maximizing your benefits and safeguarding your financial and medical future.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that assists individuals and families who are unable to cover health care costs. It is a growing means of covering costs in Mecklenburg County, with over 40,000 recorded beneficiaries. Details regarding what the program covers vary by state. In North Carolina, some expenses that may be covered by Medicaid include the following:

• Expenses for doctor visits
• Bills for hospital visits and stays
• Medical prescriptions
• Vision care
• Dental care
• Medicare premiums
• Expenses for nursing home care
• Some instances of mental health care

Eligibility

In order to qualify for North Carolina Medicaid assistance, an individual must meet the basic requirements. These include the following:

• Residency and Citizenship: A person must be a citizen of the United States or have legal status as an immigrant, reside within North Carolina, and hold a Social Security number.
• Family Income Limits: The limit of the amount of income your family can make in order to qualify will depend on the size of your family. Family members include you, your spouse, children 21 years of age and under, and any other individual who is included on your federal income tax return.

Limits on Income

The limits on income required for eligibility in North Carolina are extremely specific. The amount of Medicaid assistance an individual may be eligible for depends on the size of their family as well as their own age. Below are some examples:

• A child, ages 0-18, who is part of a family of 2 may be eligible if their family’s income is $3,595.00 per month or less.
• A child, ages 0-18, who is part of a family of 4 may be eligible if their family’s income is $5,486.00 per month or less.
• A child ages 0-18 who is part of a family of 5 may be eligible if their family’s income is $6,432.00 or less.

There are additional ways that individuals and families may receive assistance, such as through specific programs and under extenuating circumstances.

Elements of Medicaid Planning

Medicaid planning requires strategic organization and care. Some key aspects to be considered include the protection of your assets, careful management of your income, and maintenance of legal ethics. There are many avenues through which these tasks can be carried out, including:

• Irrevocable Trusts: These are one way to help an individual qualify for Medicaid by removing their assets from their care.
• Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts: These are trusts designed specifically to harbor assets while an individual is in the process of qualifying for Medicaid. The assets in such trusts are held for the person’s heirs.
• Spousal Protection: Certain rules can be put into place regarding an individual’s spouse that allows the spouse to retain specified assets while the individual simultaneously qualifies for Medicaid benefits.

FAQs

Q: What Is Medicaid Crisis Planning?

A: Medicaid crisis planning is a method by which individuals of varying economic statuses attempt to align their income and assets with the eligibility requirements set forth by Medicaid. It is a way of protecting an individual’s assets while still making sure they will be eligible for Medicaid benefits in the future, should long-term assistance be required. Medicaid crisis planning is tailored to individuals based on their financial circumstances and where they live.

Q: How Much Do Medicaid Lawyers Cost?

A: The costs involved with hiring a Medicaid lawyer can vary depending on the details of a person’s specific circumstances, such as where they live and what lawyer they decide to hire. Other relevant factors that can impact the cost of a lawyer are the overall complexity of the case, how long it takes to work through and resolve your case, and other specifics.

Q: Is Medicaid Planning Considered Ethical?

A: Medicaid is legal and ethical, meaning there are legal avenues through which an individual can plan for Medicaid. It can be a responsible way to ensure that you are able to receive the long-term care that you need while also protecting the assets that are rightfully yours. In Mecklenburg County, 10% of adults are enrolled in the Medicaid Expansion program, exemplifying that using such assistance is not rare or unethical.

Q: What Does a Medicaid Lawyer Do?

A: There are many roles that a Medicaid lawyer may take on. Oftentimes, they handle elder law and estate planning but may assume additional duties as well. Regarding Medicaid, a lawyer may assist with completing and filing the necessary applications, helping a client navigate a received denial, and assisting them in making long-term plans for the future. This can include nursing home arrangements, waiver programs, and specialized trusts.

Charlotte, NC Medicaid Lawyers

There are many complexities to navigate as you begin to make plans for long-term Medicaid benefits. Having the right legal assistance can make the process flow much more smoothly and effortlessly. An experienced Medicaid lawyer can help you protect your assets, secure the appropriate benefits you are already entitled to, and assist you in creating a long-term plan to fit your needs.

Do not face the challenges of Medicaid planning alone. Contact Orsbon & Fenninger, LLP, today to learn more about the benefits you may be entitled to and how we can help you take the first steps in planning for your future. Securing your finances ahead of time can give you great peace of mind and space to enjoy the days to come.