what type of lawyer do i need for medicaid in alabama

by Felicita Wintheiser Sr. 6 min read

The short and simple answer is no, a lawyer is not needed to get Medicaid. However, based on one’s marital status, financial holdings, and complexity of other relevant factors, it may be best to hire an attorney who specializes in Medicaid in the state in which one resides.

Full Answer

Who can be a Medicaid provider in Alabama?

Raley Wiggins. Alabama Medicaid and medicare Attorney. Save. 5.0 stars. 1 review. Avvo Rating: 10. Licensed for 11 years. Raley L. Wiggins is a shareholder with Red Oak Legal, P.C., a law firm with offices in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, Alabama. His practice is focused primarily in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, and Civil ...

Do I need an elder law attorney for Medicaid Planning?

Older adults and families with aging parents can obtain public funding for long-term care when the need arises but remember, timing is critical. Call us today at 205-663-0281 for a free consultation. John Holliman or Melanie B. Holliman (formerly Melanie B. Bradford) will explain about your elderly loved one’s eligibility for government ...

Do I need a lawyer to get Medicaid?

A law changed and most people do not need proof of Medicaid to file their taxes. Alabama Medicaid will not mail a 1095B form to recipients. If you still need a 1095B form you can ask for it by calling (toll free) 1-844-366-7996; sending an e-mail to ALRCCHelp@dxc.com or mailing a request to this address: Gainwell Technologies, P. O. Box 244032, Montgomery, AL 36124 …

Do I need a lawyer for Medicaid Planning in Florida?

Mar 22, 2022 · Elder law attorneys, also called elder care attorneys, estate and trust attorneys, or Medicaid lawyers, assist persons in preparing for long-term care and death. They assist seniors in a large and diverse array of legal tasks. This encompasses retirement planning, estate planning, creating wills and durable power of attorney, appointing guardianship, creating trusts, and in …

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Alabama?

Who is eligible for Alabama Medicaid?Household Size*Maximum Income Level (Per Year)1$18,0752$24,3533$30,6304$36,9084 more rows

Can Medicaid take your house in Alabama?

Can the state take my house during my life? No. But if you become permanently institutionalized, the state may place a lien on your house at the time your Medicaid benefits begin. (A lien is a legal claim against a piece of property that ensures a creditor -- in this case, Medicaid – eventually gets paid.)

Does Alabama have Medicaid estate recovery?

What is the Estate Recovery Program? Established under federal law, this program requires the Alabama Medicaid Agency to recover the costs paid by the Agency from the estates of deceased Medicaid recipients.

Who administers Medicaid in Alabama?

Mar 28, 2022 - The Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) continues to work with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and other state and federal agencies to stay up-to-date the spread of COVID-19 in Alabama.

What is Alabama Medicaid Subrogation Unit?

The Alabama Medicaid Agency has contracted with Health Management Systems (HMS) to enforce the Agency's right to recovery in subrogation claims and requests for medical records. HMS performs the evaluation and case tracking functions of all casualty and litigation cases for Alabama Medicaid.

Do Medicaid liens expire?

While the statute of limitation varies based on the state in which one resides, this period is usually limited to one year following the death of a Medicaid recipient.Sep 9, 2019

What does full Medicaid in Alabama cover?

Medicaid patients get medical care from a variety of sources. Covered medical services include dental, eye and hearing care, lab and x-ray services as well as renal dialysis and transplant coverage.

How do I cancel Medicaid in Alabama?

Contact your caseworker and that person can take care of terminating Medicaid coverage. You may do this by calling the caseworker or visiting in person. If you do not know who your caseworker call 1-800-362-1504 toll free for help.

Does Alabama Medicaid require a referral?

For questions related to the EPSDT referral process, email Jean.Wackerle@medicaid.alabama.gov. 2. Effective August 1, 2021, Medicaid will no longer require a Primary Care Physician (PCP) referral for services rendered for Medicaid recipients.Jul 27, 2021

Can Medicaid be recovered from spouse?

Each state determines which assets will be included in the Medicaid estate. Medicaid programs can also recover funds from a community spouse’s estate. If assets are held by a community spouse, meaning the spouse has stayed in the community, the state may have rights to recover for Medicaid benefits paid on behalf of the applicant spouse. These rules are evolving and should be analyzed in each case by our Medicaid attorneys.

Can Bradford and Holliman create a Medicaid plan?

Bradford & Holliman can create a plan for your elderly loved one without sacrificing a home or other assets. Decisions regarding the use of a trust as part of a Medicaid plan require careful review of an individual’s circumstances. If assets are held in a revocable trust, they are considered available for Medicaid reimbursement purposes. An irrevocable income-only trust, known as a Medicaid Trust, will protect the assets held by the trust after a designated time period. Income generated by assets held in an irrevocable trust will be considered available to pay for the cost of long-term care.

Does Medicaid pay for long term care?

Unlike Medicare, Medicaid pays medical costs and long-term care costs, as a payer of last resort. To qualify, strict financial and other eligibility requirements must be met. The rules governing Medicaid are complex, and frequently change, requiring great care in the planning and application for benefits.

How long does it take to update your Medicaid record?

If it's been longer than 6-8 weeks , you will need to reapply for Medicaid. The best way to do this is to apply online at www.insurealabama.org.

Does medicaid pay out of pocket?

Medicaid does not reimburse recipients for medical expenses paid out of pocket. If you have been awarded retroactive Medicaid, it is up to the provider if they wish to bill Medicaid for the time period the person was granted eligibility. Usually if a provider agrees to bill and receives payment, they will reimburse the patient who paid out ...

Can you exceed your Medicaid income limit?

The amount of the disability payment may also exceed Medicaid income limits. The best thing to do is to call or visit your nearest Medicaid district office to discuss your specific situation. It is possible that you may qualify for other Medicaid programs.

How does Medicaid annuity work?

This strategy reduces one’s countable assets, while at the same time , protecting some of them for family. Essentially, Medicaid applicants gift approximately half of their “excess” assets (assets over Medicaid’s limit) to their loved ones and then purchase an annuity with the remaining “excess” assets. (An annuity turns countable assets ...

What is Medicaid asset protection trust?

One such strategy that elder law attorneys can implement is a Medicaid asset protection trust (MAPT). This type of trust not only prevents one from becoming ineligible for Medicaid due to gifting assets ...

What is the role of a Medicaid attorney?

On the other hand, Medicaid attorneys often focus more on the legal aspects of Medicaid planning, such as creating Medicaid asset protection trusts or Qualified income trusts, which makes them the better option for this type of assistance.

How long does it take for Medicaid to pay for long term care?

Medicaid attorneys and specialists also assist with crisis planning, which occurs when a senior needs Medicaid benefits within 30-60 days.

What is a medicaid planner?

For persons who have Medicaid cases that are fairly simple and straightforward, a Medicaid planner, also called a Medicaid specialist or a Medicaid Advisor, might be a good option. Working with a professional Medicaid planner can be a lot more cost efficient than working with a Medicaid attorney.

How long does Medicaid look back?

The look back period is 5 years in all states except California (Medi-Cal has a 2.5 year look back).

What do elder law attorneys do?

What Elder Law Attorneys Do? Elder law attorneys, also called elder care attorneys, estate and trust attorneys, or Medicaid lawyers, assist persons in preparing for long-term care and death. They assist seniors in a large and diverse array of legal tasks, which encompasses retirement planning, estate planning, creating wills and durable power ...

How long does Medicaid look back in Alabama?

When your parent is in a nursing home and is “otherwise qualified or eligible” and applies for Alabama Medicaid, then the agency “looks back” 60 months at all financial transactions.

What is an improper transfer of property in Alabama?

If during the correct time period your parent has made an “uncompensated transfer of property” — what us normal folks call a “gift” — then Alabama Medicaid will say this is an improper transfer. A gift is anything where your parent gives away money or assets for less than their true value.

Does Bob go to a nursing home?

Bob goes into a nursing home and still has $100,000 in a CD in his name. He applies for Alabama Medicaid. He will be denied because he has too much money (more than $2,000). So Medicaid does not “look back” because you have to be qualified.

Is Medicaid an improper transfer in Alabama?

If during the correct time period your parent has made an “uncompensated transfer of property” — what us normal folks call a “gift” — then Alabama Medicaid will say this is an improper transfer.

Can a dentist be a medicaid provider in Alabama?

Any physician or dentist who is licensed in the State of Alabama may become a Medicaid provider. All providers must apply to provide services to Medicaid recipients. Some provider types have additional requirements that must be met in order to enroll as a Medicaid provider.

Does Alabama require providers to re-enroll?

Federal requirements mandate providers re-enroll periodically with the Alabama Medicaid program. Providers will be notified when they are scheduled to re-enroll. Failure to re-enroll and provide appropriate documentation to complete enrollment will result in an end-date being placed on the provider file. Once a provider file has been closed ...

Can a provider have more than one location?

Yes. If a provider has more than one location, each location must be enrolled utilizing the provider’s assigned National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. If a group consists of more than one physician, each physician must be enrolled utilizing the physician’s assigned NPI number. This number identifies the provider only and does not change if the provider changes jobs or locations.