Getting Started
We will introduce the goals of the program and discuss how we can spend the next three days working together.
Asset Requirements (CLE)
Understanding how Medicaid calculates individual and spousal resource allowances is an essential foundation to helping families plan to apply for long-term care Medicaid benefits.
Income Requirements (CLE)
A Medicaid applicant’s income is generally going to be used to pay their share of cost at the nursing home, but the income rules are complex. We will work through the nuances and income deductions attorneys should be considering when advising clients – including the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance.
Lookback Period, Penalties and Transfers (CLE)
When a client is over resourced Medicaid does not allow an applicant to transfer assets during the lookback period without a penalty. We will cover what transfers are penalized and what transfers can be made without incurring a penalty period – including the Medicaid Compliant Annuity.
Cocktail Reception
Stick around after the first day of sessions for a chance to get to know your fellow attendees, presenters, and others with complimentary cocktails.
Introduction to Crisis Medicaid Planning (CLE)
With the Medicaid qualification fundamentals under our belts, we will dive into how to advise clients that are currently facing the high cost of a nursing home stay. Each case presents its own unique challenges but a well-thought-out approach to crisis planning cases is the first step providing valuable legal counsel.
Single Client Crisis Planning and Case Studies (CLE)
A single client’s Medicaid crisis planning will require different analysis than a married couple. We will cover two unique approaches and run through case studies to ensure the application of each is understandable.
Married Couple Crisis Planning and Case Studies (CLE)
A married couple’s Medicaid crisis planning requires a more comprehensive planning approach as each spouse’s needs and concerns are considered. We will walk through how to advise a married couple when one spouse is living in a nursing home and the other stays in the community and work through a case study together.
Estate Recovery (CLE)
Each state is required to recover assets that it spends on Medicaid recipients. However, the Medicaid agencies in each state vary greatly on how they tackle this responsibility. We will discuss what to look for and how to determine your state’s approach to estate recovery.
Bad News, Good News
This exercise will help “clear the decks” as we transition from Medicaid rules and strategies into practice building. We will guide attendees to think about current challenges to growth, think about current positive developments and gain clarity on their motivations to add this new practice area.
Your Great Practice, Great Life Journey: Summit to Summit
In this exercise attendees are guided through what it will take (or strategies to consider) to build a great Medicaid planning practice without sacrificing a great life. We encourage them to think about building balance in their life, running their race (not someone else’s), and help them see they do not have to do it alone.
My Great Life®: My Great Decade™
Building a great Medicaid planning practice takes time, energy and focus. Building a great life takes commitment and focus, as well as a clear vision for what a great life means. This exercise will help attendees explore what a Great Life and Great Practice looks like and start creating a path to that great practice and great life.
Elder Law Ethics (Ethics CLE)
As an attorney onboards Medicaid crisis planning to their practice, there are ethical considerations that will inevitably arise from the unique nature of the practice including capacity concerns, client identification and family dynamics to navigate. We will highlight these and suggest processes for how to ensure your office is ready when faced with these difficult ethical issues.
Getting From Frazzled to Focused
We will walk through four strategies to help attendees deal with feelings of overwhelm and to help them work toward staying focused and fulfilled.
Your Action Plan
We will introduce the Gut Check Scorecard and guide attendees on how to self-identify whether they are earning what they should be. We will also discuss where attendees fall on the frazzled to fulfilled scale created by Atticus.