When describing the Medicaid application process, I often reference it to a tax audit. It is an intrusive government review of an applicant’s finances over a 5-year time period.
With each prior year, the requests by the state become more burdensome and frustrating to comply with. Who keeps their records that long?
The state is demanding more and more information. It is frequently running checks of an applicant’s Social Security number and coming back to us with requests for documents concerning other financial accounts – in many cases with little to no information other than the name of the bank. Often this information is incorrect, with the bank telling us no accounts exist. This then leads to a back and forth with county caseworkers concerning the accuracy of their sources.
The state is also asking all credit card statements for the past 5 years. Scrutinizing these statements, it requests invoices to prove the charges were for products or services received by the applicant and not for another person.
The state also asks for all checks written and deposited to and from each and every account.
The whole process is intense and intrusive. If you or a family member are expecting to apply for Medicaid be prepared to track down a mountain of documents and information if you hope to have any success.
To discuss your NJ Medicaid application, please contact Fredrick P. Niemann, Esq. toll-free at (855) 376-5291 or email him at fniemann@hnlawfirm.com. Please ask us about our video conferencing or telephone consultations if you are unable to come to our office.
By Fredrick P. Niemann, Esq. of Hanlon Niemann & Wright, a Freehold Township, Monmouth County, NJ Applying for Medicaid Attorney