If you apply for long-term care assistance through Medicaid and your application is denied, the situation may seem hopeless. The good news is that you can appeal the decision.
Medicaid is a program for low-income individuals, so it has strict income and asset eligibility requirements. Qualifying for Medicaid requires navigating the complicated application process, which has many potential stumbling blocks. However, a Medicaid denial does not mean you will not eventually qualify for benefits.
Local Elder Law Attorneys in Your City
Firm Name
City, State
Firm Name
City, State
Firm Name
City, State
The Medicaid agency may deny a Medicaid application for a number of reasons, including the following:
The Medicaid agency is required to issue the denial notice with 45 days of the application (or 90 days if you filed for benefits on the basis of a disability). When you get a denial notice, read it carefully. The notice will explain why the application was denied and specify how to file an appeal.
Before filing a formal appeal, you can try informally asking the agency to reverse the decision. If you made a mistake on the application, this is the easiest and quickest way to proceed. If the caseworker made a mistake, it may be more complicated and require escalation to a supervisor or a formal appeal.
Appealing a Decision
The denial notice will tell how long you have to file an appeal—the deadline may be as short as 30 days or as long as 90 days after the denial notice. It is important to file the appeal before the deadline. Whether the denial notice requires it or not, you should submit your request for an appeal in writing, so that there is a record of it.
Once your appeal is submitted, the Medicaid agency will set a hearing date. Applicants must attend the hearing or their cases will be dismissed. You have a right to have witnesses testify at the hearing and to question the Medicaid agency’s witnesses. It is a good idea to have an attorney to help you through the appeal process. An attorney can make sure you have all the correct documentation and information to present at the hearing.
If you win the appeal, your benefits will be retroactive to the date of your eligibility—usually the date of your application. If you lose the appeal, the notice will explain how to appeal the decision. The next step in the appeal process usually involves submitting written arguments. If the next appeal is unsuccessful, then you will have to appeal to court. It is crucial to have the assistance of an attorney for this.
Reapplying for Benefits
If your application was denied correctly due to excess assets or income, there are steps you can take to spend down your assets or put your income in a trust. Contact an attorney to find out what actions you can take to qualify for benefits. Once you do this, you can then reapply for benefits. Note that when you reapply for benefits, your eligibility date will change to the date of the new application.
Created date: 04/15/2022
When applying for Medicaid, many people often forget about life insurance. But depending on the type of life insurance and th.
Being appointed guardian of a loved one is a serious responsibility. As guardian, you are in charge of your loved one's well-.
Is a charitable gift to a community foundation subject to Medicaid look-back? I would like to give some money to a local foun.
The executor, administrator, or next-of-kin should notify the SSA by calling the 800 number for the state in which the deceas.
