Atlanta Medicaid Planning Attorney

We are so grateful for the lives our parents have provided for us. While seeing them in their last chapter is difficult, we can help ensure their last days end with dignity.

Of course, this isn’t the easiest conversation, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary!

Perhaps you are considering Medicaid but have heard of the stringent requirements. You fear that your parent falls into the gray area of not being able to afford private care on their own while at the same time having “too many assets”. If this is your reality, the Atlanta Medicaid planning attorneys at Edwards Family Law can help.

There are solutions available to prevent a Medicaid denial when an individual has income and assets higher than the Medicaid eligibility criteria. An Atlanta Medicaid planning attorney can assist you with implementing a strategy that enables you or someone you love to become eligible while maintaining a sizable amount of assets.

Atlanta Health Coverage Facts

Fulton County has an overall health coverage rate of 89.9%:

• 54.8% in work plans
• 12.4% in Medicaid
• 8.47% in Medicare
• 1.18% in military or VA insurance
• 13.1% in non-group policies

Georgia spent $6,587 per person on personal health care in 2014. Need help applying for insurance in Atlanta, GA? Our Medicaid planning attorneys can help. This can include finishing the paperwork, offering proof of support, and submitting the application.

Even though this process might be labor-intensive and challenging, our attorneys at Edwards Family Law are here to assist.

Qualifying for Medicaid in Atlanta, GA

Who qualifies for health insurance under Medicare?

Those who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years as a citizen or resident and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Age 65+
• Disabled (based on SSI definitions)
• Have ALS
• Have ESRD

Income Requirements

In Georgia, as of 2022, individuals must meet a strict income cap to qualify for Medicaid long-term care coverage. States without income caps permit applicants to deplete their funds for treatment, whereas states with income caps demand that the sum be no greater than their cap when the application for Medicaid is made.

Candidates are limited to a monthly salary of $2,523 and a total of $2,000 in resources. Couples may have a $3,000 resource cap if both parties require long-term care. If a Medicaid applicant has a total of $2,000 or more in countable assets, their application may be rejected, or their Medicaid eligibility may be revoked.

Exempt assets are ones that Medicaid won’t count toward calculating eligibility. Some of the main exempt assets in Georgia are as follows:

• Retirement funds: including those in IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions, are excludable resources in certain circumstances
• A life estate: The life estate interests of the applicant are disregarded
• Home Place: If the applicant’s home has an equity value of $636,000 or less, the adjacent land and any buildings on the property are not considered resources
• Automobiles: A single vehicle is excluded, regardless of its worth or whether it is in use

On the other hand, some countable assets include:

• Life Insurance Policies: If other assets have already exceeded the maximum burial exclusion value, the cash value of the whole life or other life insurance policies is counted as a resource
• Your Investment Account: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and brokerage accounts are among the financial instruments that are considered “countable assets”