Tallahassee Medicaid Attorneys Helping You Cover Health Expenses In Florida
Protecting your health – both now and in the future – is essential. One of the biggest challenges you may face is figuring out which benefits you can receive and how to get the best medical care possible. This is especially true if your insurance company denies your claims. At Heuler, Wakeman, Solomon Law Group, P.L.L.C., our attorneys have over 70 years of combined experience helping clients of all ages. Whether you are nearing retirement or foresee a need for a family member’s long-term care, we are here to support you. Our goal is to help you preserve your finances and quality of life while achieving the best care.
Helping You Understand The Law
A loved one’s health care needs can change rapidly. Our clients trust us to act just as quickly to legally protect their loved ones’ rights and standard of living. From mental health care issues to planning for possible long-term care, you can trust our highly experienced lawyers. We offer legal services for a range of issues, including:
- Understanding Medicare and Medicaid changes
- Applying for Social Security income-related programs
- Analyzing long-term care insurance risks and benefits
- Assisting with Florida’s Medicaid Institutional Care Program (ICP) and at-home care
- Applying for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program
- Navigating nursing home and in-home nursing care coverage
- Advising on elder law and establishing guardianships
- Planning for mental health care and incapacity
Our team is here to help you find a plan that works for you.
What Can I Do To Make sure I Have The Resources I Need For Long-Term Care?
It is ideal to plan now, while you are still healthy. Careful planning can protect your finances if you need long-term care as you get older. It can also reduce the taxes you owe and help you access valuable programs like Medicaid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid Planning
Thoughtful planning helps families prepare for changing care needs and understand how available programs may support long-term stability. The answers to common questions can offer insight into your situation.
Can I protect my home from Medicaid estate recovery in Florida?
Yes. Florida’s homestead protections shield a primary residence from most creditor claims, including Medicaid estate recovery, when certain requirements are met. These protections apply only if the property qualifies as a homestead under state law.
Additional planning tools like these can strengthen long-term protection:
- Using a Lady Bird Deed: This allows an owner to keep full control during life while passing the home automatically at death, which helps prevent probate and limit exposure to estate recovery.
- Placing the home in an irrevocable trust: This can remove the property from your countable assets when structured correctly and funded early.
- Evaluating title and beneficiary designations: This helps ensure that the property transfers efficiently and aligns with eligibility goals.
Using any of these options requires carefully following Florida law to prevent unintended penalties or loss of benefits.
What is a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust)? Do I need one?
A Qualified Income Trust is a restricted account used when an applicant’s monthly income exceeds Florida’s Medicaid income limit. The trust receives income each month and pays allowable expenses, which helps the applicant meet the Medicaid program rules. You may need this trust if your income is above the current limit for long-term care Medicaid.
The Miller Trust must follow strict legal requirements, including naming the state as a remainder beneficiary. Proper drafting and administration are essential because errors can delay or block eligibility.
How does the Florida Medicaid “Look-Back” period work?
Florida reviews five years of financial activity when someone applies for long-term care Medicaid. This includes examining transfers to determine if assets were given away or sold for less than fair market value. If such transfers occurred, a penalty period may apply, which delays Medicaid coverage for a set number of months based on the value of the transfer.
Steps that can improve the chances of approval include:
- Reviewing past transactions to identify any transfers that may create issues
- Correcting documentation gaps to reduce delays during the application process
- Planning early to use permissible strategies without triggering penalties
The look-back rules apply only to long-term care programs, not to all Medicaid categories.
Let Us Help Ease Your Worries
If you are unsure about your Medicaid or Medicare benefits, or have denied claims, you do not have to worry. Contact us online or call 850-792-8496 to get answers. We serve Leon County and Tallahassee, Florida, from our main office. If you cannot leave your home or the hospital, our attorneys will come to you.