Trouble with Medicare or Medicaid Eligibility?
Whether you’re helping an elderly relative become eligible for Medicaid, you’ve been denied Medicare or Medicaid, or Medicare or Medicaid has denied a particular treatment or service, it’s in your best interest to consult a Medicare and Medicaid attorney. Lawyers who handle these issues may also call themselves elder law attorneys or health care attorneys, and those who do Medicaid planning also often do estate planning for clients.

If you need to go to a Medicare hearing at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals with an administrative law judge or a Medicaid hearing at your state Medicaid agency before a hearing officer, consider talking to a lawyer first. The judge or hearing officer may call doctors or other witnesses to attend the hearing, and having an attorney to ask them questions can help you win your case. A Medicaid attorney may also be able to help settle your case so that you don’t have to go to a hearing.

If you’re helping a loved one plan for long-term care, you may be interested in Medicaid planning. Medicaid in all states pays for nursing home care, and in many states will also pay for home health care or assisted living—for those who meet the income and asset limits. An experienced attorney knows what assets can be moved without triggering Medicaid penalties and can handle the transfers. Due to changes in the Medicaid laws, some asset transfers that used to avoid Medicaid transfer penalties no longer do. A good Medicaid planning attorney will know what will work to protect your loved one’s property.

Looking for a Medicare or Medicaid Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by area of law and geography. You can also search for attorneys by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be primarily responsible for handling your case. Consider bringing to the conversation a list of questions and any documentation related to your case. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult and that, first and foremost, you want a lawyer you trust.

What to Ask a Medicare or Medicaid Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including on your list questions about:

• how much of the lawyer’s practice is spent on Medicare and Medicaid issues
• how often the lawyer goes to Medicare or Medicaid hearings
• your chances of winning a Medicare or Medicaid appeal
• whether you or your loved one is a candidate for Medicaid planning
• who else at the law firm would be working on your case
• how case costs will be handled.