Attorney Help with MassHealth

MassHealth (Medicaid in Massachusetts) is a state and federal income-based program that pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts. The Heritage Law Center specifically works with MassHealth Standard for seniors (age 65 or older) who need long-term care and have limited income and resources.

The application process is complex, and you may have trouble getting benefits without an attorney’s help. Luckily, the team at The Heritage Law Center is experienced, compassionate, and ready to help you through this daunting task.

Why Should You Contact an Attorney?

When applying for MassHealth, there are many legal and financial details that, if improperly handled, can lead to denials of eligibility or other penalties. In order to qualify for this program, you need to meet certain income and asset limits.

Our attorney Matthew Karr is well-versed in the numerous methods used to protect assets, so he can help you be eligible for MassHealth when it becomes essential for your well-being. If you plan ahead, an irrevocable trust can be created that could eventually protect your assets from impacting your MassHealth application. Preparing at least five years before you need care is vital, as MassHealth has a five-year look-back period that can impact your coverage.

When you apply for MassHealth, they can look at your financial records, including your bank records, for the previous five years. If they find that you transferred assets during this five-year span, they will disqualify you for coverage for a period of time. Because of this, it’s important to speak with a lawyer like Matthew Karr, Esq., to take action now.

Why Use an Experienced Elder Law Attorney (Like Us) for MassHealth Planning?

While I understand that this sounds somewhat self-serving, it really is important to get the best expert guidance you can when it comes to MassHealth, which is Medicaid in Massachusetts. MassHealth is a joint federal/state program that supports the cost of nursing home care for people who qualify. Seniors (age 65 or older) must meet strict financial eligibility requirements, including limits on countable assets and income.

Here’s why it’s important to use an experienced elder law attorney:

• We have extensive knowledge and experience in the area of MassHealth. We’re professionals who’ve worked in this field every day over many years, and have developed the expertise to advise you on how to achieve your goals whether it’s maintaining independence, preserving funds for your family, or moving to a comfortable nursing home for care. We’ve spent a significant amount of time learning the ins and outs of MassHealth law and accumulating a wide variety of techniques to protect your assets.
• We’ll help you save and protect your assets from MassHealth. Many people need to first “spend down” their assets before becoming qualified for MassHealth benefits. We can help you do that in a smart way. Simply giving away assets to friends and family may actually delay your ability to qualify rather than speed it up. We’ll help you determine your countable assets and take into consideration MassHealth’s five-year look-back period. If you’re married and your spouse plans to continue living in the community, we’ll also make sure they have the amount they’re allowed to keep in their name. This is a very detailed process and we’ll use our knowledge, training, and time to make those calculations and assessments.
• We can help you maximize your legal strategies to protect your assets as well as your quality of life, while saving your family significant money. By utilizing strategies such as irrevocable trusts, gifting, converting countable assets into exempt assets, and purchasing annuities, we can help arrange your assets to protect them from nursing home costs and qualify you for MassHealth assistance without losing your life’s savings.
• We’re trained to serve your best interests and have no conflict of interest. We have the training and experience to look for all the various ways you can get the best financial result. If you’re in a nursing home that refers you to a non-lawyer to assist in preparing the MassHealth application, the preparer is loyal to two entities—you and the nursing home that provides the referrals. That preparer might not have your best interests at heart. Nursing homes make more profit when you’re spending down your assets than when you’ve qualified for MassHealth benefits. However, we’re trained and required by the rules of professional conduct to act only in your best interest.
• We’ll file your MassHealth application for you. MassHealth has a lot of complicated rules, and you have to file a detailed application in order to try to get financial help from it. We’ll help you through the burdensome and often confusing application process for MassHealth benefits. Properly completing this time-sensitive application is crucial to obtaining MassHealth benefits.

What Types of Services Does MassHealth Standard Offer?

For many adults age 65 years or older, MassHealth Standard is the coverage that is well suited for the care they need. This type of MassHealth covers a wide range of services, ensuring you get the care you need to live comfortably and securely.

Below are some of the types of services you can expect to be covered when applying for MassHealth:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Hospice care
• Outpatient services
• Prescriptions
• Medical devices, such as dentures and glasses
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Long-term care services

For more information, check out our free MassHealth Planning and Asset Protection Report.

Get the Help You Need with MassHealth Planning

It’s ideal to plan for MassHealth before you or your loved one needs the type of care covered by this insurance. By having a trusted legal advisor skilled in asset protection and familiar with all of the Massachusetts laws, you can ensure that if you need to apply for MassHealth in the future, your assets will be as protected as possible and you’ll have the highest chance of approval.

At The Heritage Law Center, we know how complex and confusing MassHealth and estate planning can be. Fortunately, our lawyer knows the ins and outs of Massachusetts laws and MassHealth regulations and can use that experience to seek out the coverage you need.

The Heritage Law Center can walk you through the entire MassHealth eligibility application and process, making it easier for you to protect your assets and benefit from MassHealth coverage. Connect with us today by calling 617-299-6976 or completing the online form below to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.