Taking a break, and needed info for Medication application

Hello friends. I haven't been online much for the last week or so. One of my daughters was visiting, and the subject turned to dementia. While we were talking, I became emotional about some of the things others here have, or are going through. Maybe part of it was because of our own experiences with dementia, or maybe it was simply grieving. Anyhow, I've decided to take a break from dementia, so I won't be around for a while.

But I wanted to leave you with a better understanding of the Medicaid application experience. This is long, so take it or leave it. I'm in Indiana, and each state has it's own rules concerning Medicare. This has been copied from a letter from our CELA. This is only to give you an idea of how much is involved in applying for Medicaid. Yours may be considerably different if in another state. My heart hurts for all of you. I'm so sorry.

APPLICANT WITH COMMUNITY SPOUSE

INFORMATION NEEDED TO PROCESS A MEDICAID APPLICATION

A copy of the Birth Certificate for both Spouses.

A copy of the Marriage Certificate.

A copy of the Medicare claim card for both spouses.

For all health insurance policies (including Medicare Part D Prescription policies) covering both spouses, the following information:

a. A copy of the insurance card, front and back.

b. We need to know the date the coverage began (This date is often found on the insurance card).

c. The address where claims should be submitted (This information is often found on the insurance card).

d. Written evidence of the premium paid for the coverage for each spouse. If your premium covers both spouses, we will need a letter or statement from the company showing the breakdown for each spouse.

A copy of the Social Security Card for spouses.

6. A Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Office for both spouses. (This is not the same as the 1099 you receive in early February). This document is mailed to each Social Security recipient every December. It shows what your new Social Security amount will be for the following year. If you do not have your current statement, you may request a duplicate by calling Social Security at 1800-772-1213. Unfortunately, the Medicaid Office will NOT accept a copy of your bank statement showing a direct deposit as proof of the Social Security amount.

Information on Railroad Retirement benefits, if applicable.

If a pension is received by either spouse, a statement of the gross amount of the pension. If a stub is received with the check, it should be sufficient. Unfortunately, the Medicaid office will NOT accept a copy of your bank statement showing a direct deposit as proof of the pension amount.

Six months of employment pay stubs, or information on unemployment benefits, if applicable.

A copy of any prepaid burial trust and/or deed to cemetery plots owned by either spouse.

If either spouse owns a Safe Deposit Box, we will need a list of the contents signed by either spouse or by someone using a Power of Attorney for either spouse.

A copy of all life insurance policies owned by either spouse.

A copy of the Certificate of Title for any vehicle, boat, or mobile home titled in the name of either spouse (even if there are other names on the title).

A copy of all property deeds for all real estate titled in the name of either spouse (even if there are other names on the property).

If any real estate is used as rental property, we will need the following information:

a. A copy of the lease, or if none, a signed statement of the monthly rent.

b. If there is a mortgage, a statement of what portion of the monthly payment goes toward interest only.

c. Written evidence of any of the following, but only if paid by the Landlord: property insurance, real estate taxes, and utilities.

Has either spouse sold or otherwise transferred title to any real estate in the past five years? If so, please list all transfers on a blank piece of paper along with date and value of transfer.

Has either spouse, or someone acting on their behalf made any gifts that total in excess of $1,200 during a calendar year in the last five (5) years? If Yes, please list all relevant information on a blank piece of paper. We will also need the cancelled checks from those gifts, or other evidence documenting the date and amount of the gift.

A Copy of all bank and other asset account statements showing the balances on the first day of the month beginning with ______________, 2020, and each month thereafter until the Medicaid application has been approved. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE ONGOING NATURE OF THIS REQUEST. Please also note that we must have all of the pages included in the statements (even if it appears to be a blank page). Let us know about any assets for which you do not receive regular monthly statements, and we will advise you how to obtain the necessary information.

Have you closed any accounts or liquidated any assets in the past year? If Yes, we will need a copy of the final statement or receipt showing the closure for each account, and the monthly statement if it was open on or after the date listed in Item 18.

A printout showing admission and discharge dates for the Medicaid Applicant from the following Hospital: ___________________________________.

Written evidence of the value, as of the opening of business on the “Snapshot Date” (see below) of each of the following types of assets owned by you: bank accounts, certificates of deposit, credit union accounts, mutual funds, investment accounts, annuities, stocks, bonds, IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and life insurance policies (cash surrender value). The “Snapshot Date” is the first day after September 30, 1989, that the Medicaid Applicant entered a continuous period of care of thirty (30) days or more outside the home, whether in a hospital nursing home, or a combination of the two.

The Snapshot Date in your case appears to be__________________________________. Unless the Medicaid applicant went straight to the nursing facility from home, this date will likely correspond to the most recent admission date from the hospital listed in Number 20.

A Copy of all Estate Planning documents signed by either spouse, including a Power of Attorney, Living Will, Health Care Declaration, Last Will and Testament, and Living Trust.

The Community Spouse is eligible for an excess shelter allowance if the items listed below total in excess of $603 when calculated on a monthly basis (Please note that the phone bill only counts to the extent of the basic monthly line charge, and not long distance or other fees). If there is a possibility that the Community Spouse will qualify for an excess shelter allowance, we will need the following information:

a. Copies of all utility bills for the last six months, if possible (this includes gas, oil, electric, garbage, water, sewer, and phone).

b. A copy of the homeowner’s (or renter’s) insurance policy with the premium amount.

c. A copy of the lease showing the monthly rent paid, if applicable.

d. A copy of the semi-annual real estate tax bill, if applicable.

e. A statement showing the monthly mortgage payment, if applicable.

f. A statement showing the monthly condominium fees, if applicable.

The Medicaid office requires the following information:

Has the applicant been involved in an auto accident in the past 3 years? ____YES ____NO

Do you plan on filing a Federal Tax Return? ____YES ____NO

Do you plan on filing a State Tax Return? ____YES ____NO