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Medicaid Planning for Seniors
Medicaid Planning in New Jersey
Applying for Medicaid requires careful planning and expert navigation. Ryann M. Siclari, Esq., LLM, is a Certified Elder Law Attorney * well-known throughout the state of New Jersey for her expertise in this area. One of the main reasons she founded Siclari Legal is to help families navigate this complex process so they can secure needed care, protect loved ones, and retain as much of their assets as possible.
Qualifying for Medicaid
Medicaid is often the source for funding for long-term care and disability support and is typically used by seniors and people with disabilities. It is not one program, it is many programs under the umbrella of Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid requires careful planning, a clear understanding of all the eligibility criteria, and strategic planning before anything is filed. It is not just about meeting financial limits or simply submitting an application.
Proper planning avoids problems like:
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Spending down more assets than necessary
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Missing strategic opportunities to protect assets
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Applying under the wrong eligibility category
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Experiencing delays in care
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Being sued for failure to procure a payor source
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Penalties
Siclari Legal guides the Medicaid application process focusing on the best interests of the applicant and their family. Contact us for a consultation to begin the process via phone call at 908.335.9601 or send an email.
Planning in Advance for Medicaid
The earlier planning begins, the more options are available. The benefits of planning early include:
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Having more choices and flexibility in the structuring of assets
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More opportunities to preserve wealth for spouses/partners and the family in general
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Reducing the risk of penalties under the 5-year lookback rule
When families plan ahead, we can work together to develop strategies that align with both long-term care goals and overall estate planning.
Planning in a Crisis
Often, Medicaid planning happens in crisis due to a sudden medical emergency. A caregiver, spouse, or child is no longer able to provide care, or cognitive or physical decline has reached a point where the individual is no longer safe. Along with this serious situation is a common misconception that assets must be spent down quickly to qualify for Medicaid. That is not always the best approach. In many cases, that results in the unnecessary loss of assets that could have been preserved with proper planning.
While options will likely be more limited in a crisis situation, thoughtful legal planning and strategy can still help by:
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Identifying what strategies are available to preserve assets
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Avoiding spending down funds unnecessarily or too soon
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Evaluating eligibility across the correct programs under the Medicaid umbrella
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Coordinating the immediate needs caregiving
What to Expect
When Working with Siclari Legal
Every situation is unique and Siclari Legal takes the time to support to your family, always explaining Medicaid requirements and options in a clear and concise manner before recommending a plan. We meet you where you are, explain everything so you can understand your options, and then we collaborate with you on a plan so you can feel assured and confident. Contact us for a consultation to begin the process via phone call at 908.335.9601 or send an email.
