Training Course Syllabus:

Enhance Your Skills as an Elder Law Practitioner

As the characteristics, goals and objectives of the aging population change, do you have the skills to address the unique needs of this generation for independence, continuing employment and a more active lifestyle? Do you have the tools to ensure your clients enjoy the same quality of life they did before retirement, despite more stringent requirements to qualify for government benefits? Join us for a blend of cutting-edge information and insightful discussion of key elder law issues so you can take your practice to the next level. Enroll today!

• Educate clients on their options in signing the health care power of attorney.
• Explain the importance of advance directives to your clients.
• Understand the basics of Medicare Parts A, B and D coverage.
• Identify a client's eligibility for Medicare based on their income and resources.
• Account for the new longer look-back period to make certain that clients qualify for Medicaid: understand Medicaid "spend down."
• Stay on the cutting edge of the practice with a review of Medicaid planning techniques.
• Learn to handle post eligibility issues.

Planning for Incapacity
9:00 - 9:30, Kathleen M. Robinson

• Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters
• Advance Directives for Health Care
• Guardianship

Overview of Medicare Parts A, B and D
9:30 - 10:00, Ann N. Butenhof

• Medicare Parts A and B
• Medicare Part D – Prescriptions Drugs
• Medigap Insurance

Medicaid Eligibility for Long-Term Care, The Basics
10:00 - 10:30 and 10:45 - 11:45, Ann N. Butenhof, Michael A. Fuerst and Kathleen M. Robinson

• Financial Eligibility for Single Individuals and Married Couples
• Income
• Countable Income
• Spousal Income Allowance
• Resources
• Countable and Excluded Resources
• Spousal Resource Allowance
• Financial Eligibility for Home and Community Based Care (HCBC)

Understanding the Medicaid “Spend Down”
11:45 - 12:30, Ann N. Butenhof, Michael A. Fuerst and Kathleen M. Robinson

• Purchasing or Investing in Exempt Resources
• Tangible Personal Property
• Mortgage Pay-Off and Home Improvements
• Automobile
• Pre-Paying Funerals
• Annuitizing Annuities
• Protected Transfers of Assets
• Special Needs Trusts and Disabled Children
• Caregiver Child and Sibling Exceptions
• Spend Down for HCBC Coverage

Medicaid Planning Options
1:30 - 3:00, Ann N. Butenhof, Michael A. Fuerst and Kathleen M. Robinson

• Transfer of Asset Rules
• Look-Back Rules
• Transfers Triggering the Look-Back Rules
• Penalty Periods
• Transfers Excluded From the Look-Back Rules
• Special Rules for Annuities
• Rules for Trust Assets and Income
• Revocable Living Trusts
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Personal Care Agreements
• Lump-Sum Transfers
• Payments Over Time
• Income Tax Issues
• Workers Compensation, Homeowners' Insurance and Other Considerations
• Planning Opportunities
• Life Estates
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Outright Gifts
• Viability of the “Reverse Half-a-Loaf” Gift

Applying for Medicaid
3:15 - 3:30, Ann N. Butenhof

• The Resource Assessment
• The Medicaid Application
• Authorized Representative
• Verification of Income and Assets
• Redetermination and Changes in Circumstance

Post Eligibility Considerations
3:30 - 4:30, Ann N. Butenhof, Michael A. Fuerst and Kathleen M. Robinson

• Patient liability – “Cost Share”
• Spousal Income Allowance
• Petitions for Estate Planning and Separate Maintenance
• Re-Titling Real Estate and Updating Estate Planning Documents
• Medicaid Liens and Estate Recovery

Seminar Summary:

Join us for a blend of cutting-edge information and insightful discussion of key elder law issues so you can take your practice to the next level. (see full course description)

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