Can I Preserve Assets and Still Qualify for Medicaid?

When a loved one needs long-term care, emotions run highand so can the costs. Long-Term Care (LTC) Medicaid can be a critical lifeline, helping cover nursing home or in-home care expenses. But navigating the Medicaid application process in Colorado is far from simple, and mistakes can delay approval, trigger penalties, or cost families thousands.Here are the top five mistakes families make when applying for LTC Medicaidand how to avoid them.Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to Start PlanningMany families only begin the Medicaid planning process once a health crisis hits. At that point, decisions are rushed, and options are limited. The truth is: Medicaid planning should start early, even years before care is needed.Planning ahead allows families to protect assets, avoid penalties, and qualify faster when the time comes. Even if your loved one is already in a facility or needs care now, there are often still legal and financial strategies availablebut the sooner you act, the better. Mistake #2: Gifting Assets Without Understanding the Look-Back PeriodIts common for people to think they can give money or property to family members to spend down assets and qualify for Medicaid. However, Medicaid has a 5-year look-back period in Colorado. This means that any gifts or asset transfers made within the past five years can lead to a penalty period during which Medicaid wont pay for care.Gifting without understanding this rule can unintentionally disqualify a loved one from coverage when they need it most. Always consult a Medicaid Certified Planner before transferring any assets. Mistake #3: Assuming All Assets Must Be Spent DownContrary to popular belief, not all assets need to be spent down to qualify for LTC Medicaid. Some assets are exempt, including:      The primary residence (under certain conditions)       One vehicle      Personal belongings      Certain types of burial arrangement      Community Spouse Income      Strategic planning can help preserve these assets while still achieving Medicaid eligibility. Mistake #4: Not Using a Qualified Medicaid PlannerThe Medicaid application process is technical and unforgiving. Submitting incorrect paperwork, missing documentation, or misunderstanding eligibility rules can result in a denial or delayA qualified Medicaid planner understands Colorados specific rules and can guide you through:         Proper spend-down strategies      Asset protection technique      Gathering required documentation      Communicating with Medicaid caseworkers      Trying to go it alone can cost you far more in the long run. Mistake #5: Confusing Medicaid with MedicareMany families assume Medicare will cover long-term care. In reality, Medicare only pays for short-term rehabilitation (up to 100 days) after a hospital stayit does not cover custodial care in a nursing home or long-term in-home care.LTC Medicaid is the primary government program that helps cover these costs, but eligibility and benefits are very different from Medicare. Final ThoughtsApplying for Long-Term Care Medicaid in Colorado doesnt have to be overwhelming, but it does require the right guidance. Avoiding these five common mistakes can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Want more information? Call Beneficent Long-term Care Planning Medicaid Experts. 719.645.8350

While aging can be hard, Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly can make the process easier.  To get Medicaid eligibility, many criteria must be achieved. Obtaining the help of a professional in Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly can assist you or a loved one not only in understanding the requirements but in meeting them and getting Medicaid eligibility for you or your loved one.  Whats more is that the strategy will be specially tailored to you or your loved ones situation.Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly Can Make The Process So Easier:Professionals know that each situation is different not only from an asset and income perspective, but from a family perspective.  Experts in Medicaid Planning Help for the Elderly consider this and design a qualification plan that is suited to you.  The crux of Medicaid Qualification is assets and income.Florida Medicaid has stringent asset and income limits.  There are different asset limits for individuals and married couples.  In the event that an applicant exceeds the asset or income limit, Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly is needed.There are quite a few different ways to convert assets that used to be countable to exempt or non-countable assets.  Whats more,  when an applicant exceeds the income limit, things must be done to lower his or her income so that it does not exceed the limit.  This income will still be able to be used, but it has to be structured in a way that Medicaid allows.  Often, a large amount of legal documentation is needed, which can get difficult quickly.  Luckily, getting a professional for Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly means that you and/or your loved ones will get guidance each step of the way and have the legal work and paper shuffling done for you.During this trying time in your life, do you want to learn the specifics of asset and income promissory notes, absolute assignments, intra-family real estate buy-ins, personal services contracts, qualified and non-qualified annuities, pooled trusts, qualified income trusts, etc.?  its doubtful!  The fact of the matter is that these are often needed to obtain Medicaid eligibility.  The good news is that with a professional providing Medicaid Planning Aid for the Elderly, you dont have to have expertise in any of the aforementioned topics.The last thing you should have to do when going through this time is have to become a legal expert.  While a professional who provides Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly will want to educate you on the basics to make sure that you understand and are comfortable, you do not need to worry about having in-depth knowledge of every part of the process.  Instead, you can rest assured knowing that you will be cared for throughout the process.Over to You:Medicaid qualification is complex, but it does not have to be impossible!  Get in touch with Platinum Benefit Services for Medicaid Planning Assistance for the Elderly so that instead of having to stress about understanding the legal side, you can spend time with and care for the ones that you love!

Medicare has been changing yearly and 2026 will be no exception. What is ahead for Medicare this fall and why?Carriers are still feeling the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in 2022, but just took full effect in January of 2025. Beginning January 1, 2025, people with Part D plans through traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage, won't pay more than $2,000 over the calendar year in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications, the donut hole or coverage gap is eliminated and there is a new payment plan to spread drug costs through the year. Those changes came at a cost to other benefits. The Inflation Reduction Act significantly increased the carriers expenses and in response benefit cuts occurred for 2025 and will continue for 2026. Carriers had to absorb the steep cost increase for the mandatory prescription drug plan changes by balancing the budget, which included increases in beneficiaries copays, deductibles added to plans, the plan maximum out of pocket increased, non-medical benefits were reduced, a prescription drug deductible was added, and prescriptions were re-tiered or eliminated from the list of covered drugs. 2026 will see further adjustments as the carriers remove most benefits deemed non-medical. Seniors who have grown accustomed to benefits such as an over-the-counter allowance or food subsidy may see those benefits sharply reduced or eliminated this fall. Plans must be submitted to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for approval in early spring to be ready for the enrollment period in fall to be active for the following calendar year, so carriers have had little time to study the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on overall costs. Insurance moves slowly. The changes we are feeling in 2025 are the result of a bill passed in 2022 and will continue to affect plans in 2026. This fall will feel like a continuation of the benefit cuts seniors faced in the fall of 2024 as carriers work to balance the budget while considering the increased prescription costs and trying to maintain the plan benefits seniors rely on. For more information visit: aismedicareandmore.com Editors Note: This article was submitted by Jolynn Allen with AIS Medicare & More.  Jolynn is the owner of AIS Medicare & More and may be reached at:  719-404-3202