What is a Qualified Income Trust or Miller Trust?
Friday, February 2nd, 2018 | Finances, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
If you are in the process of applying for Medicaid/TennCare benefits, you may be told you need a Qualified Income Trust (“QIT”), also known as a “Miller Trust,” before you can qualify. Most people have never heard of a QIT and are already in an urgent situation when a facility worker sends them to an […]
Read More »Medicaid/TennCare: What Counts as a Gift?
Friday, September 29th, 2017 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
When a loved one’s health takes a turn for the worse or the loved one enters long-term facility care, family members often plan to give away excess assets in order to meet resource limits and gain Medicaid benefits. If you find yourself thinking along these lines, stop now! This common mistake has severe consequences if […]
Read More »Medicaid Eligibility Myths
Friday, September 15th, 2017 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES, Uncategorized
Call an Elder Law Attorney Before Counting It a Lost Cause Just like when you catch a cold, the moment you start talking about applying for TennCare/Medicaid benefits, it is likely you will find yourself suddenly surrounded by “experts.” Tidbits of knowledge and advice are passed along like home remedies by well-meaning family members, friends, […]
Read More »You’ve Got Mail – So Check It Often!
Friday, June 16th, 2017 | Caregiving, TennCare/CHOICES
It may seem obvious that it’s important to check mail often and to respond when needed, but in the age of e-mail and online forms, sometimes so-called “snailmail” may be misplaced or forgotten – especially by those who have had to take over the task of checking the mailbox for a loved one. At ELET, […]
Read More »Got TennCare? You Need to Know About Redetermination.
Friday, November 18th, 2016 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
If you are currently a recipient of TennCare benefits, you may have to prove your eligibility again this year through a process called “redetermination.” This process may be every bit as challenging as your initial application, and if you are selected for redetermination, you will have a tight deadline for submitting evidence so as not […]
Read More »Qualifying for Medicaid Using a Miller Qualified Income Trust
Monday, February 8th, 2016 | Finances, TennCare/CHOICES
Many clients first call the ELET office seeking help in establishing a Miller or Qualified Income Trust (QIT). Over time, we have noticed a trend: the vast majority of those who ask for help with a Miller Trust do not really understand what it is or how it is used. Many of them have been […]
Read More »Changes in TennCare/Medicaid: New CHOICES Rules
Thursday, November 12th, 2015 | Newsletter, TennCare/CHOICES
Throughout 2012, change has been afoot in the rules for Tennessee’s Medicaid program, “CHOICES.” On July 1, a new set of rules took effect, dramatically changing the criteria for qualification and the services an individual can or cannot receive based on his or her need acuity rating. Public benefits programs such as Medicaid are always […]
Read More »TennCare Eligibility Redetermination
Thursday, November 5th, 2015 | Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
From time to time, the Bureau of TennCare conducts a process called “redetermination” in which each TennCare recipient’s eligibility for benefits is reevaluated. TennCare has recently begun a redetermination process and has been notifying TennCare recipients by mail. If you or a member of your household is receiving TennCare benefits, it is extremely important that […]
Read More »Great News for CHOICES Group 3
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 | TennCare/CHOICES
Since the CHOICES program underwent some major revisions in July of 2012, consumers and service providers have been questioning the logic of denying coverage to Group 3 beneficiaries for care received in assisted living. I am excited this month to share what looks like a ray of hope that the omission will be rectified.
Read More »In Medicaid’s CHOICES, Don’t Take “No” for an Answer
Friday, February 8th, 2013 | TennCare/CHOICES
Last year I did a lot of blogging about changes to Medicaid’s CHOICES program, which took effect on July 1, 2012. That’s because the changes were significant, affecting both current beneficiaries and new applicants for coverage. Both care providers and geriatric social workers such as myself recognized that it may now be more difficult for […]
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