The process of determining Medicaid eligibility — and then applying — can be a daunting one. Before you even book a consultation, you can take steps to help yourself by assembling all the documents your lawyer will need.
If you’re not sure how to apply for Medicaid, start with gathering financial, identification, and insurance documents. Here’s a closer look at what you need.
What Financial Documents are Needed for a Medicaid Benefits Application?
If you’ve been asking yourself, “How do I apply for Medicaid?” gathering your financial documents is a great place to start. The Medicaid program has a five-year look-back period, which means the state will look closely to see if you gave away assets just to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
When you apply for Medicaid, you should make sure you have five years’ worth of bank statements and any other financial account records, including:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- IRAs
- Other retirement accounts
- Stocks and bonds
- Annuities
- Any other investment accounts
If you have written any checks for $3,000 or more during the five-year look-back period, you should include a copy of each check in the documents you gather.
If you currently have any annuities, you also should have thorough documentation showing the following for each account:
- Purchase date
- Current value
- Surrender value
- Death benefit
You might wonder why you need to include so much information about annuities. Many people purchase annuities to lower the value of their “countable assets,” or the assets used to determine eligibility for Medicaid enrollment. This is perfectly legal to do, but those annuities must be Medicaid-compliant.
What are the requirements for Medicaid-compliant annuities? This area of the law can get very complicated, but if you need to reduce your assets to qualify for Medicaid, our team may be able to help you.
What Are the Requirements for Personal Identification and Insurance Documentation for Florida Medicaid?
If you’re considering how to apply for Medicaid coverage, you shouldn’t forget the importance of having personal identification. You must be able to provide proof of citizenship and your identity. If you have any of these documents, bring them to your consultation:
- Driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Immigration documentation
- Certificate of naturalization
You also must be able to prove you live in the state where you apply for Medicaid. Florida residents can use documents like these:
- Current mortgage
- Current lease agreement
- Voter registration card
- Your children’s school records (if your children are currently in school)
- Current utility bills
If you’re not sure how to apply for Medicaid, you should remember that the state will want details about your current health coverage. However, your health plan is not the only insurance policy you need to document. You also should bring all other insurance-related documents you have, including:
- Copies of health insurance and long-term care insurance policies
- Copies of life insurance policies
- Copies of health insurance cards
- Insurance statements showing the premiums you paid
- Details about the cash surrender value of any insurance policies you have
Having statements showing how much you pay in insurance premiums each month is especially important if you have a community spouse, which is a spouse who is not applying for Medicaid.
How Should Income Be Verified for a Medicaid Application?
Of all the documentation required for Medicaid in Florida, proof of income is among the most important. Medicaid coverage is designed for low-income people who might not otherwise be able to afford nursing home care or long-term medical care.
What are the qualifications for Medicaid when it comes to income? As of 2024, the gross income limit for a single person applying for long-term care Medicaid is $2,829 per month.
As you’re preparing to apply, gather documentation of income from all sources:
- Job-related income
- Social Security income
- Rental income
- Income from retirement accounts
- Pension income
- Child support
- Alimony payments
Many kinds of documents can verify your income, including:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns (for the past five years)
- Award letters
- Bank statements
- W-2 and 1099 forms
Keep in mind that the application process for Medicaid (including income requirements) can vary from state to state. Being familiar with another state’s Medicaid application process doesn’t automatically mean you’ll know how to apply for Medicaid in Florida.
What Other Documents Are Considered Essential for the Medicaid Application Process?
When it comes to your Medicaid application, the more documentation you have, the better. Even if you aren’t sure if a given document is required, you should bring it when you meet with us. Our legal team will be able to tell you which documents will need to be included in your application.
These are some of the other documents you will likely need:
- Records of any real estate transactions you completed in the past five years
- Documentation of prepaid burial arrangements
- Copies of any documents related to your estate plan
- Documentation (including title, registration, and insurance policies) for any vehicles you have
- Deeds, property tax bills, home insurance, and other documents related to any real estate you own
If someone else is applying for Medicaid on your behalf, they also need to include power of attorney documentation that proves they have the legal authority to do so.
Wondering How to Apply for Medicaid? Call Us
As you’ve seen, the answer to the question “How do you apply for Medicaid?” is much more complex than most people would expect. At William C. Roof Law, we understand that the Medicaid application process can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. That’s why we’re here for you every step of the way.
Whether you want to see if you’re eligible, need help with Medicaid financial planning, or aren’t sure how to apply for Medicaid, get in touch with us to schedule a consultation.
The contents of this article are not comprehensive, they provide only a general overview of the subject matter discussed. This article does not establish a client-attorney relationship with the reader, and no legal decisions should be made based on the article’s contents. Because every legal matter arises under unique facts specific to the client, no legal decision should be made without consulting a licensed attorney.