Sensible Senior Planning

Sensible Senior Planning We are a Medicaid Planning Company that assists clients and Attorneys through the Medicaid process.

Medicaid system is different in every state and there are specific options that are applicable to each family’s situation. Our knowledgeable specialists provide valuable guidance on state-specific rules to avoid pitfalls and delays. At Sensible Senior Planning, we support and guide you through the entire application process to ensure the application is submitted and approved as quickly as possible. We act as your representative to the county Medicaid office and advocate for your family to be sure all proper procedures are followed. The team works with you until benefits are approved and begin paying for your loved one’s care. There are times that an Elder Law Attorney is required to ensure timely and fair approval of a Medicaid application and we can help connect you to a professional who is right for you. We have relationships with many Agencies across the States and are here to help. Finding a safe place to call home for your loved one can be a full-time job. We will educate you on the different Levels of Care systems, provide you with recommendations, and assist you with the referral process. We understand the challenges that Organizations face with their Medicaid approval time. We are here to assist with faster approvals and improve cash flows for the Organizations all without having to pursue paperwork or manage applications. We help confirm eligibility, identify, locate, and obtain all documentation and present a 100% complete Medicaid Application. We manage all communication with financial institutions and social services which will free up some valuable time from your staff. What you have to do is, identify residents who may need Medicaid, get updates on their application status and then sit back, and enjoy the improved cash flow.

09/26/2026

A lot of families find this out the hard way:

Medicare does not cover everything.

Here’s the quick breakdown 👇

Part A is mainly hospital coverage. Think inpatient hospital stays, certain skilled nursing facility stays, hospice, and some home health care.

Part B covers things like doctor appointments, outpatient services, preventive care, and certain medical equipment.

But here’s where people get surprised…

Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental, vision, hearing, or long-term custodial care.

And prescription coverage usually means enrolling in Part D or having drug coverage through another Medicare plan.

Another big one: Medicare coverage for skilled nursing care isn’t unlimited or automatic.

Under traditional Medicare rules, a qualifying inpatient hospital stay is generally required before Part A will cover a skilled nursing facility stay. Being kept at the hospital under observation status can be very different from being formally admitted as an inpatient.

That little distinction can become a very expensive one.

Part C (Medicare Advantage) is another way to receive Medicare benefits through a private insurance company. These plans usually combine Parts A and B and often include Part D. Some offer extras like dental, vision, or hearing benefits, but you also need to understand things like provider networks and prior authorization requirements.

And Part D is prescription drug coverage. In 2026, there is a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D medications.

My biggest advice?

Don’t wait until someone is being discharged from the hospital to figure out what Medicare actually covers.

Know your plan.
Know whether you have drug coverage or supplemental coverage.
And if someone is hospitalized, ask:

“Are they admitted as an inpatient, or are they here under observation?”

And this is also where Medicaid often enters the conversation.

When someone needs ongoing nursing home care or other long-term care services, Medicare is generally not the program that pays indefinitely. Depending on the person’s finances, care needs, and state rules, Medicaid may help cover long-term care costs once eligibility requirements are met.

That’s why understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicaid before a crisis happens can save families a lot of confusion — and potentially a lot of money.

09/08/2026

🚨 “No, they don’t have any life insurance.”

That’s what the family confidently told us while preparing a Medicaid application.

But then we reviewed several years of bank statements…

👀 And there they were: recurring premium payments to an insurance company.

After a little more digging, the family discovered a life insurance policy they had completely forgotten about!

Thankfully, we caught it before the application was submitted.

That gave us and the attorney time to gather the necessary information and make sure the policy was properly disclosed.
Why does this matter?

An overlooked asset discovered later can cause delays while additional information and documentation are requested. It can also create unnecessary stress for the family. Oh, and let's not forget, it can also cause a denial because the cash value can put the individual over the asse limit.

❤️ The lesson?

Families can genuinely forget about old insurance policies, bank accounts, investments, or other financial assets.

That’s why taking the time to carefully review financial records before filing can make such a difference.

Sometimes, the bank statements know things we’ve forgotten! 😉

Have you ever found an old account, policy, or financial document that you completely forgot about?

09/01/2026

⚠️ If Medicaid sends you a verification request with a deadline, treat that date like it's written in stone.

Here's what I see happen: a family receives a request for additional documents. They don't have everything ready, so they submit what they have and plan to send the rest "when they get to it." They don't call to ask for an extension. They assume partial compliance buys them some time.

It doesn't.

Medicaid can and does close applications when verification deadlines are missed, even when the applicant is genuinely eligible.

Missing a deadline without requesting an extension is one of the most avoidable reasons for a denial that I encounter.

If you receive a verification request and you can't meet the deadline:

✅ Call immediately and ask for an extension
✅ Get that extension request in writing if at all possible
✅ Don't wait until the deadline has passed to raise your hand

Also, states often give you a very short window (sometimes as few as 10 days) to respond to requests for proof of bank transactions over a certain dollar threshold. The best move is to have those documents organized before you ever submit the application.

A little preparation up front can save you weeks of delays on the back end.

08/27/2026

One of the biggest reasons Medicaid applications get delayed has nothing to do with eligibility.

It's missing documentation.

Many families spend weeks gathering paperwork after the application has already been submitted. Unfortunately, that often leads to verification requests, processing delays, and unnecessary stress.

A smoother Medicaid application starts long before the paperwork is filed.

Some of the documents that are commonly needed include:

✔ Bank statements for the required review period
✔ Statements for retirement and investment accounts
✔ Social Security and pension award letters
✔ Life insurance policy information
✔ Deeds and property records
✔ Vehicle information
✔ Copies of trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents
✔ Proof of income and monthly expenses
✔ Marriage certificates, birth certificates, or other identification documents, depending on the situation

Every case is different, and the exact requirements vary by state.

Certain financial transactions or assets may also require additional documentation.

One piece of advice I give every family is this:

Don't wait until you're ready to apply before gathering documents.

The earlier you organize your records, the easier it becomes to identify potential issues, determine eligibility, and avoid delays once the application is submitted.

A well-prepared application is often processed much more efficiently than one that requires multiple rounds of follow-up because important documents were missing.

At Sensible Senior Planning, one of the first things we do is help families understand exactly what documentation is needed for their unique situation before the application is ever submitted.

A little preparation upfront can save weeks of frustration later.

What's the hardest document you've ever had to track down during a Medicaid application? Share your experience in the comments.

08/26/2026

Marcus called me and stated that he is looking to move his wife in to a nursing home and wanted to get her on Medicaid.

He said he has an IRA worth around $50,000 and other assets totaling $80,000.

He said his wife has an IRA worth around $30,000 and assets in her name worth around $40,000.

First thing I did was explain that in the state where they live, assets are viewed jointly.

Meaning, even if it’s in his name or his wife’s name, they are viewed as if they both own it.

I then explained that in their state, as long as the IRAs are in payout status, they are considered an income not an asset.

In addition, in Order for his wife to qualify for Medicaid, his assets can be a max of $148,620 and her assets can be a max of $2,000.

So, along with the Attorney that I worked with, we took all of his wife’s assets, other than $1600 and we put it in to Marcus' name. His wife was immediately eligible for Medicaid.

Now if there would have been an extra $200,000 in assets that Marcus couldn't have used, we would have used a Medicaid compliant annuity!!

Always know that there are typically ways to preserve assets in a Medicaid compliant way!

08/18/2026

"Do we really have to spend all of Mom's money before she can qualify for Medicaid?"

This is one of the most common questions we hear.

The answer is... not necessarily.

Many families believe a Medicaid spend down means emptying a loved one's bank account until there's nothing left. That misconception can lead to costly mistakes.

A spend down doesn't mean wasting money.

It means reducing countable assets in ways that comply with Medicaid rules.

Depending on your state and your family's situation, a spend down may include things like:

✅ Paying off legitimate debts
✅ Purchasing exempt assets
✅ Making home improvements for a spouse who remains at home
✅ Prepaying funeral and burial expenses
✅ Other Medicaid-compliant planning strategies such as a gifting strategy and utilizing a Medicaid compliant annuity

Every dollar should have a purpose.

Making the wrong financial decision before applying for Medicaid could delay eligibility or create unnecessary complications.
That's why planning matters.

Before spending a single dollar, take the time to understand what is allowed in your state. A thoughtful spend-down strategy can help protect your loved one's financial future while moving them toward Medicaid eligibility.

Have you been told your loved one has "too many assets" to qualify for Medicaid? Share your questions in the comments. We'd be happy to help explain your options. 💙

08/11/2026

💡 MEDICAID MINUTE: Can your retirement account affect Medicaid eligibility?

You spent years building your retirement savings—but when it comes to Medicaid, an IRA or 401(k) may not be treated the way you expect.

Retirement accounts can play an important role in Medicaid eligibility, and how they’re treated can depend on the state, account type, and circumstances.

That’s why understanding the rules before applying matters.

🎥 In today’s Medicaid Minute, I’m breaking down what you need to know about retirement accounts and Medicaid.

My goal with Medicaid Minute is simple: take complicated Medicaid rules and turn them into quick, practical information that actually makes sense.

✅ Follow me for more Medicaid Minute videos.

✅ Join my Medicaid and Senior Planning Support Group on Facebook for educational tips, common Medicaid questions, and long-term care planning discussions.

✅ Save this video—you may need it later—and share it with someone navigating Medicaid or long-term care.

💬 What Medicaid topic should I break down next? Drop it in the comments!

08/08/2026

💡 Medicaid Minute

Today’s topic: Medicaid income limit

Medicaid rules can be confusing, but they don’t have to be.

My goal is to make Medicaid and its application process easier to understand with quick, practical tips you can use.

✅ Follow me for more Medicaid Minute videos.

✅ Join my Medicaid and Senior Planning Support Group on Facebook for educational tips, answers to common questions, and discussions about Medicaid and long-term care planning.
✅ Save this video and share it with someone who could benefit.

What Medicaid topic would you like me to cover next?

Let me know in the comments!

08/06/2026

"Dad can't stay in the hospital forever."

Those words hung in the air as three siblings sat around a conference table trying to figure out what came next.

Their father had suffered a stroke. He could no longer live safely at home, and the hospital was recommending a nursing home for long-term care.

Then came the question no one was prepared to answer.

"How are we going to pay for this?"

One sibling thought Medicare would cover everything.

Another believed they would have to sell Dad's house immediately.
The oldest had heard Medicaid wouldn't help until every dollar was gone.

Everyone had an opinion.

No one knew what was actually true.

The stress wasn't just about money.

It was about making the right decision for their father without accidentally making a costly mistake.

Should they spend his savings?
Should they sell the home?
Should they wait?
Should they apply for Medicaid now or later?

These are the questions many families face every day.

The reality is that Medicaid planning is rarely as simple as people expect. Depending on the circumstances, there may be planning opportunities that can help preserve assets while still qualifying for benefits. The timing of decisions, the types of assets involved, and even the state where someone lives can all make a significant difference.

That's why one of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming they have to figure it out on their own.

Before selling a home, spending savings, or making financial decisions that can't be undone, take the time to understand your options.

A single conversation with someone who understands long-term care Medicaid can provide clarity, reduce stress, and help your family make informed decisions during one of life's most difficult seasons.

At Sensible Senior Planning and the Attorneys we work with, we help families understand their options before they make decisions they may later regret. Sometimes the greatest value isn't just completing a Medicaid application. It's giving families confidence that they're moving forward with a plan.

08/04/2026

We hear it all the time: “Make sure you have a Power of Attorney (POA).”

That’s great advice—but there’s another important step many families don’t realize.

Don’t just have the POA signed. Make sure it’s on file with your loved one’s banks, investment companies, and other financial institutions.

When it’s time to apply for Medicaid, families often need years of financial records. If the POA hasn’t already been accepted by the institution, you may face delays while they review the document or require additional paperwork—delays you don’t want when time is critical.

A little preparation today can save a lot of stress later.

Sound familiar to anyone?!

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