The area of government benefits is in constant flux – are you up to the task of educating and providing clients with all the financial and medical assistance that's available? Order today to get answers to your complex questions on Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, and final estate recovery and examine the latest on living wills and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST). Let our distinguished practitioners be your guides through the maze of government regulations and financial strategies, and lead you to the highest level of mastery.

1. Living Wills Update and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST)
2. Medicaid Eligibility Requirements, Benefits and Application Process
3. Coordination of Benefits With Medicare and Insurance Coverage
4. Asset Protection Strategies
5. Special Needs Trusts – Creation, Taxation and Administration
6. Protecting Assets Under the Deficit Reduction Act
7. Post-Eligibility Issues
8. Ethical Considerations in Medicaid Planning
9. Estate Recovery Avoidance and Litigation
10. A Look to the Future: A Discussion Regarding the Impact of Health Insurance Reform on Medicaid

Living Wills Update and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST)
8:30 - 8:45, Linda Moon

Medicaid Eligibility Requirements, Benefits and Application Process
8:45 - 9:30, Linda Moon

• What are the Financial Criteria, How are They Computed? (What Counts as Income and Resources?)
• Exceptions for Eligibility Regardless of Financial Condition (i.e., TEFRA)
• What Aspects of Eligibility Criteria are Standard Nationwide and Which Vary by State?
• What are the Benefits Under the Different Types of Medicaid? (What Medical Treatment Does Medicaid Cover?)
• Medicaid Fraud – What Not to Do
• Streamlining the Application Process

Coordination of Benefits With Medicare and Other Insurance Coverage
9:30 - 10:00, R. Eric Solem

• Medicare Set-Asides
• Veteran's Benefits
• SSI
• QMB/SLMB
• Long Term Health Care Insurance
• Other Public Benefits

Asset Protection Strategies
10:15 - 11:15, R. Eric Solem

• Transferring Real Property Without Jeopardizing Medicaid Eligibility (When Does the Home Become a Countable Asset? How is “Intent to Return Home” Interpreted?)
• Treatment of Annuities
• Self-Settled Trusts and Their Impact on Qualification (Different Types of Trusts, When the Grantor is the Trustee, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Other Issues Impacting Qualification)
• Special Needs Trust/Pooled Trust Exceptions to the Transfer Rules
• The Importance of Timely Planning
• Avoiding Transfer Penalty for Unauthorized Transfers

Special Needs Trusts – Creation, Taxation and Administration
11:15 - 12:00, R. Eric Solem

Protecting Assets Under the Deficit Reduction Act
1:00 - 2:00, Linda Moon

• What is the DRA
• Higher Income Applicants
• Fair Market Value
• Protecting the Effort and Resources of Relative Caregivers
• Protecting Dependents
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Other Techniques

Post-Eligibility Issues
2:00 - 2:30, Linda Moon

• Medicaid Eligibility Appeals
• Changes in Income and Assets
• Recertification
• Unearned Income
• Spousal Impoverishment

Ethical Considerations in Medicaid Planning
2:45 - 3:45, Linda Moon and R. Eric Solem

• Identifying the Client and Preventing Conflicts of Interest
• Determining Client Capacity
• Maintaining Confidentiality
• Complying With HIPAA and Other Privacy Laws
• Setting and Collecting Attorneys' Fees
• Who can Represent the Medicaid Applicant - Designated Representatives vs. Guardianship

Estate Recovery Avoidance and Litigation
3:45 - 4:15, R. Eric Solem

A Look to the Future: A Discussion Regarding the Impact of Health Insurance Reform on Medicaid
4:15 - 4:40, Linda Moon and R. Eric Solem

LINDA MOON is a certified paralegal with the law firm of Solem, Mack & Steinhoff, P.C. She has 20 years of experience as a probate paralegal and 15 years of specializing in Medicaid and public benefits programs. Ms. Moon also works as a professional fiduciary and court visitor. She graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Colorado Extended Studies Paralegal Certificate Program in 1992. 

R. ERIC SOLEM is the senior partner in the Englewood law firm of Solem, Mack & Steinhoff, P.C., and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law. His practice emphasizes elder law, Medicaid, Medicare, probate and special needs trusts matters. Mr. Solem has handled public benefits appeals before the federal district courts, the courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a frequent lecturer on "Medicaid", "Medicare Set Aside Agreements" and "Special Needs Trusts", and is a past president and board member of The Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities, Inc. Mr. Solem is a member of the Elder Law Committee and the Trust and Probate Section of the Colorado Bar Association. He is also a member of The Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Solem earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

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Phone: 866-240-1890

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