ELDER LAW,
MEDICAID & MEDICARE
We are experts at navigating insurance and government aid.
Whether you need immediate results, or are planning for the future,
use our experience to get the most out of your coverage.
How our Denver Lawyers can Serve You
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
ELDER LAW, MEDICAID & MEDICARE
ELDER LAW
Elder Law covers traditional estate planning, such as wills and trusts, plus a broad range of legal and financial issues that arise with aging and/or disability. This can include arrangements for care, social security and retirement benefits, and protection against elder abuse (physical, emotional and financial).
Solem Woodward & McKinley, P.C. is committed to creating customized and comprehensive solutions for their clients' needs.
MEDICAID & MEDICARE*
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older in the US, though disabled individuals under 65 years who receive SSDI benefits can also qualify. It is funded through the same taxes that are paid towards Social Security. Medicare is designed to help with, but not completely cover, long-term medical treatment. Disabled individuals under age 65 can only begin receiving Medicare 24 months after receiving Social Security Disability payments.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is co-funded at the federal and state tax levels and is designed for low income or needy individuals. This includes children, elderly, and disabled who are eligible for federal assistance.
In order to qualify, an individual will have to meet certain limits on things like income and value of assets owned. In most states, the requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid are the same, and in some of these states, the SSI application doubles as the Medicaid application.
*as defined on disabilitybenefitscenter.org
LONG TERM CARE PLANNING
"LTC" refers to a broad range of services and supports essential to meeting the personal care needs of individuals with a limited ability to care for themselves due to age, disability, injury or illness. Many people assume that Medicare or private health plans will cover the cost of Long Term Care - but this is rarely the case. With LTC costs that can be more than $10,000/month, even a large estate can be depleted without the proper planning. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over the age of 65 will require Long Term Care at some point in their lives. The only way to protect yourself is to plan for the future. Solem Williams & McKinley, P.C. can assist you with:
• Medicare Planning & Qualification
• Asset Protection
• Countable vs Exempt Assets
• Spousal Protection
• Planning Tools/Options
• Medicaid Applications
• Understanding Medicaid Rules & Regulations
• Medicaid Appeals and Related Matters
MEDICARE SET ASIDE
MSAs are an allocation of a portion of a settlement (workers' compensation, liability, or no-fault settlement) used to pay for future medical expenses. Medicare is intensely vigilant about preventing the shift of medical costs onto Medicare when liability lies elsewhere, and has developed rules with respect to settlements for workers' compensation and tort cases. It is critical to involve an attorney experienced with MSAs as soon as possible because there are more options available than what Medicare will provide you. It may be in your best interest to minimize or avoid subrogation liens altogether. Call or Email Solem Williams & McKinley, P.C. today to discuss your MSA.