The "5-year look back" period is a crucial aspect of Medicaid planning, particularly concerning eligibility for Medicaid-funded long-term care services. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails:

Definition: The 5-year look back period refers to the time frame that Medicaid examines an applicant's financial transactions to determine if any assets were transferred for less than fair market value (i.e., gifted or transferred) in order to qualify for Medicaid benefits. The purpose is to prevent individuals from transferring assets to others to meet Medicaid's asset eligibility requirements.

Duration: For 2024, the look back period is 5 years. This means Medicaid can review all financial transactions, including gifts and...

Dear clients,

We understand that this virus has brought unpredictable days and stress to many. However, please know that attorneys are considered an essential business and we will be open to serve your needs.

We are taking precautions to sanitize our office and have hand sanitizer ready. You are welcome to come to the office or meetings can be held telephonically or on the app/program of your choice, such as FaceTime or Zoom.

We do ask that if you are feeling unwell that you please reschedule your appointment at least two weeks out to ensure that we do not spread illness to our children or other clients.

Lastly, if you are struggling with basic necessities such as food, water, or personal hygiene items,...

This Washington Post piece addresses some of the initial red flags that can be indicators of early dementia signs.  Dementia Red Flags

Have you heard about the phone game, Sea Hero Quest? Research from the University of East Anglia claims that this "specially designed mobile phone game can detect people at risk of Alzheimer's."  For more about this game, please click here Sea Hero Quest and Alzheimer's?

One question that we are frequently asked is, "What is a Miller Trust and do I need one?"  This article was written by Attorney Lindsay Blessinger Charles and it ran in the Evansville Courier and Press in 2018.  Check out the article to learn more about Miller Trusts.

In 2014, the State of Indiana adopted the Social Security Administration income guidelines with respect to income levels and qualification for Medicaid services for nursing home and waiver recipients. 

For 2019, individuals who reside in nursing homes and receive $2,313.00 or more per month in gross income must establish a Miller Trust in order to be eligible for Medicaid.   

A Miller Trust can be established by the nursing home resident/waiver...

Justice on Aging released the following update today:

"There are numerous federal Medicaid programs and policies that improve access to home and community based services (HCBS) and encourage states to fund and expand HCBS and decrease Medicaid’s bias towards institutional care.

Medicaid’s “spousal impoverishment protections” make it possible for an individual who needs a nursing home level of care to qualify for Medicaid and receive long-term services and supports, while allowing their married spouse to retain a modest amount of income and resources to pay for rent, food, and medication. Congress extended this protection to eligibility for HCBS in all states beginning in 2014, providing married couples the same financial...

Scammers never stop trying to find ways to defraud the vulnerable.  During 2018, the FTC reported that they heard from approximately 35,000 Americans who were contacted by potential scammers and over $10 million dollars were lost to the scams during 2018.  Further, the FTC released an actual audio recording of a message left by a scammer.  Check out the below provided link to hear this message. 

What does a Social Security Scam sound like? Click here to find out...