Medicaid Help

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

My mom will soon be eligible for Medicaid. My state (Missouri) offers online or paper applications. Where/how does a person submit the documentation? I can't see the application online unless I start answering questions, so the application may state this information, but I can't see it. She doesn't qualify, yet, because of asset transfer, so I can't fill out any information. Any help and all advice welcome as I want to be prepared when she will qualify this summer.

50Mickey · ‎05-21-2010

I worked for the Medicaid program for years before I retired. It used to a personal office visits to complete the application and you were told what documentation to submit and you had a dealine to get this information in. But now at least in my state you either apply on line or complete the form and leave it at the office and then they call you for a phone interview and you willl be told what documentation to submit. In either case start gathering the documentation now. Birth certificate, bank statements, insurance policies, verification of pension, tax informaition. and anything else that you will need. You already know about the transfer of assets penalty so you are ahead of the game. If you are unsure of how to apply call the local office that handles Medicaid. if your. mom is in a nursing home they usually handle the applicaion process for you.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@50Mickey , I can't thank you enough for your reply! I couldn't find anywhere online after searching this morning that said "how" the process worked. My state may be different, but at least this gives me an idea. It sounds like the documentation is turned into the local office?

I'm going to be gathering documentation for Mom's taxes today, which is how my whole thought process started on the Medicaid documentation that I will need this summer. I did find a checklist online for Missouri, and even if it's not quite accurate, it will be a good place to start, and I can start gathering the documents. My mom is in assisted living. I will ask the administrator about the application. Thanks, again!

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

When I went on Medicare, I did not want to start SS, so based on my "lack" of any income I was put on Medicaid by the state. Surprise!

I was required to appear in person with all my paperwork to appeal. I was told on the phone what to bring. Good luck finding it all.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@50Mickey

Most assisted living facilities have social workers on staff.

Peaches McPhee · ‎04-19-2010

LIkely your local Dept of Human Services (or whatever name they call themselves in your County). If you drop it off, be sure to make a copy first, and a receipt.

-- pro-aging --

Rochester, New York

Dusty1 · ‎03-10-2010

My sister & I started applying for Medicaid for our Mom last summer. We knew that she wouldn't be accepted until December, but it took us several tries to get it right.

We went to the local Council On Aging with our paperwork. They reviewed it. Called & told us what else they needed or what they needed more information on.

We would get that new information together & drop it off at the local office & then the call would come about more information.

Mom owned nothing. We had sold her house & cars when she went into the Memory Care facility, so we were depleting her cash until she was eligilble for the Medicaid.

Still they needed so much paper work & answers.

They were very nice.

We had informed the MC that we would be applying for Medicaid last February. They were not really any help to us.

Then in December when we were approved for Medicaid the facility told us that we would have to move Mom, because they could not accept any more patients paying with Medicaid. We had been self paying for 4 years.

We spoke to the COA attorney & they told us to pay her SS to the facility for Jan & then wait & see if they sent us an eviction notice & we would go on from there.

Mom died on January 18.

I hope things go easily & smoothly for you.

It is good that you are getting everything together & then start filling out the form, so you have time to gather whatever else you need. They will need clarification on deposits & withdrawls from her accounts & to see where her money has been spent.

Good luck.

Tadaki · ‎03-10-2010

I thought you were allowed to keep your home. Is that not true?

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@Dusty1 thank you so much for your reply!!! We put everything but one checking account in a trust almost 5 years ago. I am spending down what is in the one checking account, and it should be down to almost nothing by the time we apply. I am not looking forward to all the red tape applying for Medicaid will entail after finally getting her approved for Veteran Aid and Attendance money 5 years ago--what a nightmare that was!

I am going to talk to the administrator at Mom's facility to ask if her paying with Medicaid will be an issue like what you encounted. I had no idea something like that could happen! Thank you for telling me as we have been self-paying this whole time, too.