Most families don't think about Medicaid until they're in crisis — and by then, it's often too late. In this episode of The Good Steward Law and Wealth Podcast, elder law attorney Ledly Jennings sits down with Tzivya Murrin, owner of Sensible Senior Planning, to break down everything you need to know about Medicaid planning and the application process. Whether you're planning ahead for a loved one or already navigating long-term care, this conversation could save your family thousands. Don't wait until it's an emergency.
Welcome back to The Good Steward Law and Wealth Podcast.
2
:I'm excited to be here today
'cause we are gonna talk Medicaid.
3
:Uh, and I have the owner of Sensible
Senior Planning and I call her t uh,
4
:I'll let you pronounce your name.
5
:I don't wanna mess it
up, but, uh, T is here.
6
:Tzivya Murrin: Yes.
7
:Hi Leslie.
8
:Thanks for having me on my first,
uh, my full name is Svia, but
9
:like you said, I, I just go by t
It's, it's a little complex, so.
10
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah, I was gonna give
it a shot, but then I figured I might as
11
:well let you get it right the first time.
12
:Ley is a kind of a unique name too.
13
:So I, um, don't ever
meet anyone with that.
14
:Um, but anyway, we, so my firm, we do, uh,
what we call elder law, but essentially
15
:it is a version of estate planning.
16
:But we're helping clients, uh,
prepare for their long-term care.
17
:And then through that comes with
applying for Medicaid a lot of times.
18
:And then in a roundabout way, I met T and
then started using her company to do a lot
19
:of my Medicaid applications because she is
great at it and it is just something that.
20
:If you don't know what you're doing
or have the bandwidth to do it,
21
:then it can get pretty complicated.
22
:And a lot of clients
don't really see that.
23
:So I wanted to have t on here to kinda
go over what Medicaid planning is,
24
:how that application process works.
25
:Um, and yeah, but I guess to start,
I guess, t how did you get into this?
26
:Where did, how, how'd you get into the,
you know, the Medicaid planning space?
27
:Tzivya Murrin: So my background
is I started working really,
28
:um, in, in healthcare, working
at a pediatric nursing home.
29
:And then about, uh, like 13 years ago,
shifted to working with geriatrics
30
:and I was a social service coordinator
in a geriatric nursing home.
31
:There I was helping families
with the Medicaid process.
32
:Um, then I went on to get my
administrator's license and I was an
33
:administrator at an assisted living
facility, and there I, we did not
34
:accept Medicaid, but we would have
residents that were, um, running out
35
:of funds and they would need to start
the Medicaid application process so
36
:that they can have a smooth transition.
37
:From the assisted living to a
facility that accepted Medicaid.
38
:So I was heavily involved with
the Medicaid process from there.
39
:Um, but from a facility standpoint
and really what our role was within
40
:the facility, it was not anything in
regards to protecting assets for the
41
:clients or even educating them because
we weren't educated on that in regards
42
:to asset preservation or ways to expedite
the Medicaid application process.
43
:Um, so I, you know, just always
loving to advocate for those that
44
:are, um, you know, maybe less
fortunate or don't have the resources.
45
:I kind of went on a quest to learn
more about Medicaid planning,
46
:um, and understand the, um.
47
:How asset preservation works for crisis
Medicaid planning, and then the Medicaid
48
:application process, the ins and the outs.
49
:I did work for a short, uh, brief period
of time for another Medicaid planning
50
:company that specializes in application.
51
:And they themselves too,
they only did applications.
52
:They did not do any asset preservation.
53
:And you know, I continued on.
54
:It's like, you know, I'm gonna, I'm gonna.
55
:Dive into really asset preservation,
understanding that so that we can properly
56
:help advocate for, for the seniors.
57
:Um, so went on, got about five and a half
years ago, got a camper and this was right
58
:when COVID started, but literally went all
over the US in a camper, met with Medicaid
59
:offices, elder law attorneys, um, and.
60
:Uh, the, my focus was really the Medicaid
offices, but to learn a lot, a lot about
61
:Medicaid, the ins, the outs, applications,
state specific roles, um, different
62
:Ledly Jennings: Okay.
63
:Tzivya Murrin: hints and, um, and
then, you know, met with attorneys
64
:to learn crisis planning and then
started sensible senior planning.
65
:Um.
66
:A little over five years ago.
67
:and, and that's, that's all I do day
in, day out is just everything as it
68
:relates to crisis Medicaid planning
and the Medicaid application process.
69
:Ledly Jennings: Wow.
70
:I didn't know that story
about the, the camper.
71
:That's a, that's a cool story.
72
:You really dove in the weeds there.
73
:Tzivya Murrin: I did.
74
:did.
75
:Ledly Jennings: That's what we, and
half the stuff we do, Linda in my office
76
:always says, you know, the only way we
learn is actually getting and doing it.
77
:And then we, uh, so I guess
that's the best way to learn
78
:is actually get out there.
79
:Um, yeah.
80
:And I know, which I'll kind of hit
briefly just for everyone listening, what.
81
:Uh, why you need Medicaid planning
and just from our perspective,
82
:uh, what we do is asset protection
mostly and is pre-planning.
83
:Um, so I do a lot of trust.
84
:Most of our planning is revocable trust,
but I've talked about another podcast
85
:when we do long-term care planning and
that's when we plan ahead and bring in
86
:irrevocable trust and various things.
87
:But essentially, if you go to the
nursing home, you have to pay for it.
88
:Um, and if how you pay for it
is where the planning comes in,
89
:there's all kinds of options.
90
:You can private pay, meaning you pay for
it out of pocket, but the fees, I guess in
91
:Arkansas, probably eight to 9,000 a month.
92
:Um, so a lot of people can't
or don't want to do that.
93
:So maybe they have long-term
care insurance or um, or
94
:they can get on Medicaid.
95
:And that is where we come in
with the Medicaid planning.
96
:Um.
97
:And how we help clients.
98
:So if they don't pre-plan, meaning we've
helped 'em, you know, five or 10 years
99
:ahead of time plan and get things moved
around, then they have to apply for
100
:Medicaid in what we call crisis planning.
101
:Um, so I guess t generally, how do
you view Medicaid planning at a broad
102
:level and how do you describe it?
103
:Tzivya Murrin: I think, um, the
way I would describe Medicaid
104
:planning crisis, Medicaid plan.
105
:Is where we try and preserve
as much assets as we can in
106
:a Medicaid compliant way.
107
:Having, you know, Medicaid
is aware of the entire plan.
108
:It's all Medicaid compliant, but
preserving as much assets as we can.
109
:I, I usually say that when a couple is.
110
:Is married, we typically can
preserve 100% of their assets.
111
:Sometimes it may mean that a property
has to get sold or, and we just can,
112
:um, preserve the value of the property.
113
:But typically you can save about
a hundred percent of the assets.
114
:And when someone is single, then usually.
115
:Um, you can save at
least 50% of the assets.
116
:Of course, every circumstance can
be different, but it's typically
117
:comes up between, I say 50%.
118
:That's usually on the lower end.
119
:A lot of times it's higher than that,
but really the Medicaid planning is
120
:being able to preserve as much as
we can in a Medicaid compliant way.
121
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah, and I agree.
122
:That's typically what I tell clients.
123
:If you're married, we have a lot
more tools in our belt essentially
124
:to save, you know, almost everything.
125
:But even if you're single, um, then
there's still some planning and a lot
126
:of value we can do there rather than.
127
:Losing it all, basically.
128
:Um, and one thing that comes up on
my end that I really didn't know till
129
:I dove into this space, what does
Medicaid cover that Medicare does not?
130
:How, what's the difference in those two?
131
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah.
132
:So don't say I'm not necessarily an expert
when it comes to the Medicare side, and
133
:though I will say just from my experience
from having worked in a facility, um, so
134
:I always say everyone, always, you wanna
check with the providers, but typically
135
:Medicare covers the skilled nursing.
136
:So it's gonna cover therapy
in a, in a facility.
137
:It'll also cover
sometimes inpatient rehab.
138
:Um, the inpatient rehab that it
covers, typically it's up to 21 days,
139
:I believe it is still without a copay.
140
:And after 21 days there is a copay.
141
:So depending on if you have a
secondary insurance, the secondary
142
:insurance may pick that up.
143
:Or at that point you may be
private pay or may need Medicaid.
144
:Um, but Medicare, the, the, the
clients that, that we work with for
145
:crisis planning, really the biggest
difference is that Medicare does
146
:not pay for 24 7 care for someone
to live in a facility for long term.
147
:Um, their thing is, you know,
what they pay for is for someone.
148
:Two who needs inpatient rehab,
they'll pay for the inpatient rehab.
149
:And with doing that, they're gonna pay
for the room and board, but they don't
150
:care if someone, um, you know, needs care.
151
:That's not what they're looking for.
152
:It's really the inpatient rehab.
153
:Medicare, and this is one of the
biggest thing that I, I speak with
154
:people and they're like, and I'm
sure Leslie, you hear this too.
155
:They're like, Hey, yeah, my loved
one just went into the facility.
156
:February 20th and they, they have a
hundred days of Medicare, so we're gonna
157
:need Medicaid in three or four months.
158
:'cause they still have a
hundred days of Medicare left.
159
:Or at this point, maybe
they only have 85 days left.
160
:And I always say to them, you know,
the way it works is with Medicare.
161
:Typically the facility does
reviews depending on the situation,
162
:anywhere from three to five days.
163
:Usually they speak to Medicare and
they'll give Medicare a review, or they'll
164
:send in notes to Medicare and give a
review on the, um, on the progress of
165
:the loved one who's in the facility.
166
:If the loved one is making too much
progress, where they don't need
167
:inpatient rehab because they're making
too much progress, or they're making
168
:too little progress, where inpatient
rehab isn't helping them enough.
169
:Um, or, you know, they've just plateaued.
170
:Then Medicare just gives, it's usually.
171
:I believe now it's a 72 hour notice, or
might be 48, 48 hours or 72 hour notice
172
:where they say You're done with Medicare.
173
:You gotta go home.
174
:And so even though it's, you hear the
a hundred days, it's a max of 100 days.
175
:It's very, very rare that anyone
gets a gets a hundred days.
176
:The average that we're seeing
is people are getting about.
177
:Three weeks at most of
coverage in a facility.
178
:Um, so it's, you know, that's the, the
portion that people sometimes don't
179
:realize when it comes to Medicare.
180
:They think they're good for a few months,
but really you're not, you kind of wanna
181
:get on, on the long-term plan right away,
because you may only get a 48 hour notice.
182
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah.
183
:And that's, that's why we always say
you think you have a long runway, but
184
:you need to start the planning and start
gathering everything for the actual
185
:Medicaid application as soon as possible.
186
:'cause if you get that 72 hour
notice, that's a a lot to do
187
:in a short amount of time.
188
:Um, but.
189
:Tzivya Murrin: Exactly.
190
:Ledly Jennings: And then what, just
briefly on Medicaid, how do you qualify?
191
:Like what are the, the base
qualifications as far as asset
192
:level and timing and process?
193
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah.
194
:So the first thing, the, the
qualification is definitely, there's
195
:always the, the clinical eligibility.
196
:So the individual has to meet, meet
clinical eligibility where they
197
:require two activities of daily living.
198
:Very rare do we have seniors that.
199
:Won't fall into the category from a
financial standpoint, their assets for
200
:a single person who's applying their
assets can only be a max of $2,000.
201
:So it can't exceed $2,000.
202
:Their income can't exceed.
203
:It's about, I think it's a,
a little over 2,900 now, um,
204
:that their income can't exceed.
205
:However, for a single person,
again, that's where it is, where
206
:we do that crisis planning.
207
:If their income is above 29.
208
:Hundred and remember
that is the gross amount.
209
:So it's not, if, let's say that hits
their bank account is only 2,800, but
210
:the gross amount before taxes withhold
withholding, or Medicare is above that,
211
:then we need to set up a qualified
income trust, or also known as a miller.
212
:And that's, um, you know, Ledley,
I know you help with the Ledley
213
:will prepare, you'll prepare
the legal documents for that.
214
:And then, um, it's just setting, taking
the legal documents and setting up
215
:a bank account where the income that
puts the individual above the limit
216
:funnels through the Miller Trust.
217
:So there's ways again about that if
someone doesn't qualify from income and
218
:from asset standpoint, there's, and I
don't know if how much you want me to
219
:get into it, but there's a half a loaf
strategy where we can gift some funds,
220
:put some funds into a Medicaid product.
221
:Called Medicaid compliant annuity,
um, that will, um, pay for a penalty
222
:period because we gifted some funds.
223
:So, and basically there's
definitely options and in that
224
:case, usually, like we said, we'll
save at least 50% of the assets.
225
:Sometimes it can be less when it
comes to mathematic equations,
226
:sometimes more, but yeah.
227
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah.
228
:And that's usually where we start
like, well, I guess if they're married
229
:or single, we always do planning,
like the quick and easy stuff.
230
:Uh.
231
:Spending on allowable things.
232
:Um, you know, they're allowed
to have a house, so if the house
233
:needs some repairs or something
like that, we can spend on that.
234
:Um, long or funeral plans,
we always talk about that.
235
:And then my favorite part is attorney's
fees are included in that spend down.
236
:So, um, they can pay attorney's fees.
237
:Um, but yeah.
238
:And then the half a loaf
strategy, uh, that's one of our.
239
:Favorite tools in the tool belt we work
with, um, annuity planners, and just
240
:from my experience on those is it's a
really qualified specialty of annuities.
241
:Um, you don't want to go to any
just annuity salesman out there.
242
:They need to know about
Medicaid compliant annuities.
243
:Um, that's just one thing
I've learned, um, out there.
244
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah, I've had that happen
before where, um, an attorney will call
245
:me and say, you know, they, they got an
annuity set up and then we review the
246
:annuity and it's not Medicaid compliant.
247
:It has to be Medicaid compliant.
248
:And most financial advisors don't assist
with that 'cause it's not, um, it's
249
:typically not commission producing.
250
:So, and if it.
251
:it is commission producing, it
would be very, very minimal.
252
:So usually financial advisors don't
typically touch That and yeah,
253
:Ledly Jennings: That makes sense.
254
:Tzivya Murrin: I spoke about the
single, but the married portion
255
:that we, as we know, is a little
bit different if someone's
256
:married when it comes to Medicaid.
257
:So when someone's married, typically the.
258
:In the, um, call for the,
the sake of the conversation.
259
:Institutionalized spouse, that's
the individual who needs care.
260
:They, their assets can also only be
:
261
:However, the spouses, they
have, they don't have an income
262
:limit, so the spouse's income
essentially is not counted.
263
:Um, but they do have an asset
limit and the, to determine
264
:that asset limit, there is some.
265
:There's a, a date that's
called a snapshot date.
266
:And basically based off of that date
and what an individual's assets are on
267
:that date is how much we can determine
what the healthy spouse can keep.
268
:that's where it is.
269
:Where if the healthy spouse, let's say
they have a total of 300,000, and the
270
:healthy spouse can only keep for, you
know, purpose of this $140,000, um, then.
271
:Well, we are able to take that
other $160,000 and preserve that
272
:100% for the healthy spouse.
273
:you know, again, that's where it is.
274
:We're from a a, that standpoint, instead
of just taking that 160,000 and spending
275
:that down and paying the nursing home,
um, we can take that and, and preserve
276
:that so that the institutionalized
spouse can get on Medicaid right away.
277
:Ledly Jennings: Yep.
278
:Exactly.
279
:Um, yeah, and that just goes
into the value of the planning.
280
:Like it's just, you gotta know
the snapshot dates, you gotta know
281
:all the qualifications and the
timing of things that, that took
282
:me a while when I first started.
283
:Getting into this is knowing
that everything had to
284
:happen at a certain time.
285
:Um, now, so I just know this, 'cause
originally we were doing all the
286
:applications ourself and between, um, me
running a law firm and Linda in my office
287
:doing everything else, we got overwhelmed
quick, so I know how tedious and tough
288
:the actual application process is.
289
:Could you kind of describe how that
process goes and then more importantly.
290
:How you stay on top of everything.
291
:'cause you're very organized and I guess
you'd call it task oriented about how
292
:to get things done in in a sequence.
293
:I.
294
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah.
295
:So Arkansas is like its own beast.
296
:I mean, it is just so different
than most other states when it
297
:comes to the Medicaid application.
298
:Um, so, and of course it depends
according to the caseworkers and things
299
:like that, but essentially the actual
filling out of the Medicaid application
300
:is fairly straightforward, not that
difficult, but you always wanna make
301
:sure that, you know, you're filling it
out correctly so you don't put too much
302
:information, too little information.
303
:Where it comes to a lot of the
tedious work is that if, let's say
304
:I were to just go ahead And okay.
305
:You know, my mom's assets are
below:
306
:I can just fill out an application
'cause it's very straightforward.
307
:I will go fill out an application,
the caseworker will review
308
:it and then come back to me.
309
:And they typically only give 10 calendar
days, not business days, 10 calendar
310
:days to get the documents to them.
311
:Sometimes they'll give you an
extension if you call and ask for one.
312
:So at most you might get.
313
:20 days.
314
:Um, but you have to be on top of that
and they come back to you and they'll
315
:give you a whole slew of a list of
all the documents that will be needed.
316
:Every case is very specific
as to what's needed.
317
:So if I don't get that, they, let's
say, send me this list and they
318
:need, let's say a premium letter
for the health insurance company.
319
:If I don't get that, that letter,
then Medicaid will deny however.
320
:Let's say I, I apply in March.
321
:Medicaid doesn't get back to
me until middle of April, and
322
:they're giving me 10 days.
323
:I call them after the 10 days
and I say, Hey, I didn't get the
324
:letter yet and I need an extension.
325
:They give me another 10 days.
326
:Now it's, may get the letter.
327
:I give it to them.
328
:They don't, they, they are right.
329
:They have so many cases.
330
:It can take them months to review it.
331
:They don't review that
letter until May or June.
332
:Come.
333
:June, they review that letter and
let's say they say, Nope, it doesn't
334
:have a date on, on the letter.
335
:They'll say there's no date on the letter.
336
:We're denying your case.
337
:They deny the case.
338
:You just now, all these months that
you were planning on getting Medicaid
339
:paid for, Medicaid's not gonna get
paid for because you didn't have a
340
:date on the health insurance letter.
341
:have everything else, but not that so.
342
:What's very tedious and where a lot of
the work comes in, what's so important
343
:is making sure that you're knowledgeable,
whoever's applying for Medicaid, or
344
:you know, for us that we're actually
knowledgeable with exactly what Medicaid
345
:is going to need, so that when Medicaid
comes back and asks us for things, we
346
:have it right away to give it to them.
347
:Or we know we can get it, but
that we feel confident when
348
:we're giving them the documents.
349
:It's actually what they need.
350
:you know, there's instances I've
had where the caseworker, um, you
351
:know, I'll call the caseworker and
be like, well, I was just ready to.
352
:getting ready to deny the case because
I saw you fax in two documents, but
353
:they're not clear and the caseworkers
aren't gonna pick up the phone.
354
:They don't have enough
time, they just can't.
355
:With the workload, you might find some
that will, but my experience, 90% won't
356
:pick up the phone and say, Hey, these
two documents came through, unclear.
357
:Um, we're gonna deny the case.
358
:What they do instead is
they just deny the case.
359
:So.
360
:From the standpoint of like, you
know, from our work, what we do is.
361
:Of course, the first step is that
we wanna ensure that we have every
362
:document that Medicaid's going to need.
363
:of course, we complete the
spend down so that which is
364
:usually the asset preservation.
365
:We then need proof and documentation
that the client is actually eligible
366
:because we need to prove that to Medicaid.
367
:And only then do we apply
by the time we apply.
368
:Usually at that point, the family
has very minimal involvement, if any,
369
:because we already have everything that
we anticipated Medicaid to ask for.
370
:Then when we, we submit the application
and Arkansas specifically will
371
:usually fax in the application.
372
:Um, so we fax in the application.
373
:We always call about two to three
days after because, and families don't
374
:even realize this 'cause we don't.
375
:no, there's no need.
376
:We got it all under control, but
I can't tell you how many times
377
:you called two or three days after
to confirm that they received it.
378
:And they say that they only received
half of the fax, or they didn't get
379
:the fax at all, or the fax went into
the wrong person's chart and they
380
:thought it was for someone else.
381
:So we always have to call to follow
up, to make sure they actually got it.
382
:And then we follow up
usually a couple weeks.
383
:'cause it usually takes, right
now it's taking about three weeks
384
:for a caseworker to be assigned.
385
:So we'll follow up a couple weeks later
to find out who is the caseworker.
386
:We'll then get their contact information.
387
:At times they won't give
you the caseworker's contact
388
:information, so they'll say, well.
389
:Leave a voicemail.
390
:Leave a voicemail for the caseworker.
391
:We'll transfer you to her, and if she
wants to give you her direct number
392
:or email, she can give it to you.
393
:So they'll transfer you.
394
:You'll leave a voicemail
for the caseworker.
395
:She doesn't call you back.
396
:You gotta call again the
day later and the day later.
397
:So there's a lot of follow
up that has to get done.
398
:and then, you know, it can take
the caseworker a few weeks to
399
:actually review it and then let you
know if anything else is needed.
400
:So there's just, there's so much staying
on top and repetitive phone calls and
401
:making sure things are moving forward.
402
:Um.
403
:that you can catch any issues before
it turns into an issue, um, or any
404
:obstacles before it turns into an issue.
405
:that's really, you know,
our, our involvement.
406
:Of course, once we get there, there
are times I'll say, and this is,
407
:you know, we, you may get a denial.
408
:But in Arkansas, if you get
a denial, you do have 60 days
409
:for them to reopen the case.
410
:So, and let's say in, in this
case where they say, okay, the,
411
:um, paperwork wasn't clear.
412
:If you give it, show them the
clear copy, then within 60 days
413
:then um, they'll reopen the case.
414
:However.
415
:It can take the caseworker over 60 days
to get to review that paper to make
416
:sure it's clear and then they won't
open it because it's past the 60 days.
417
:So you need to, again, keep following
up, follow up with the supervisors,
418
:follow up with whatever you need
to do, and keep following up until
419
:we can get the case back open.
420
:So it's just, it's a lot of time, a
lot of follow through that's needed.
421
:And you wanna make sure whoever's
assisting is really following through.
422
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah.
423
:And yeah, you don't see that
from the client facing side.
424
:You know, it's all this work that
you're doing on the back end is just,
425
:well, it's necessary, but it, it is.
426
:Uh, pretty cumbersome.
427
:Um, and I don't think a
lot of people realize that.
428
:That's why it's always, if you
have have any assets and you're
429
:applying for Medicaid, you
definitely need to hire somebody to
430
:a professional who knows the system.
431
:You know, we may know the law,
but I've come to realize, I don't
432
:know the system like t does.
433
:Um, so it's, it's the teamwork
that makes it really effective.
434
:Um, and that made me think, and then I'll,
um, that, that's really good information.
435
:I guess, um, what would, is there any
advice that you would give families that
436
:they could do now to plan ahead for this?
437
:Like, I know, I know obviously on the
legal side we can plan ahead, but just as
438
:far as any Medicaid advice or application,
what can they start staying on top of?
439
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah, I think the number
one thing is getting power of attorney
440
:on file with every institution that
their loved one, um, is affiliated with.
441
:So that.
442
:Means getting Power Attorney
in file with health insurance
443
:companies, with life insurance
companies, financial institutions.
444
:They don't have to get their name
on the accounts, they just wanna get
445
:power of attorney uploaded there so
that when the time does come, if they
446
:do need to get documents, they're
not having to wait for, um, get power
447
:of attorney on with these companies.
448
:'cause I mean, some companies
that can take them six weeks to
449
:review power of attorney, accept
it, and then send the documents.
450
:So I think that's the number one
thing that I always tell people.
451
:Um, and the second thing I
always say is to, uh, few.
452
:Second thing is online to try and get
online access as soon as their loved
453
:one is willing, allowing them to get
that, um, to try and get online access.
454
:And then the third thing I
would say is just to make sure,
455
:you know, within the past five
years, Medicaid looks at gifting.
456
:So you just wanna make sure that you know,
you're, everything's accounted for it.
457
:I would say, you know, maybe
transactions $500 or more.
458
:Just wanna make sure there's things that
are accounted for, um, in case if Medicaid
459
:does come back and, and question that.
460
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah, that's good.
461
:I'm, I'm a huge power
of attorney advocate.
462
:Um, we do obviously pretty well.
463
:Every client that comes in my door is
gonna get a power of attorney, and mine
464
:is, honestly, it's about 20 something
pages long and I used to be kind of.
465
:Turned off by how big it was, but
lately, title companies and just
466
:whoever has told me they like it
and are thankful for it because it
467
:authorizes us to do what we need to do.
468
:Especially when I've come to see elder
law and Medicaid planning, like if
469
:you wanna make a gift to a certain
person, it has to be authorized in
470
:that power of attorney to actually do.
471
:Um, and a lot of people don't realize
that, but, and, and then I'll kind of wrap
472
:it up here, but I, I just, is there one
particular like client story that comes
473
:to mind for you where you were really able
to help somebody or, I don't, it doesn't
474
:have to necessarily be your biggest, you
know, financial win, but just a, a win for
475
:you and your company that comes to mind.
476
:Tzivya Murrin: Yeah, I think first, just
quickly on the power of attorney, I will
477
:say that I, I, because I work with so
many different clients, so many different
478
:attorneys, it's very, very often that
clients say they can't get documents
479
:because power of attorney isn't accepted.
480
:And I do a lot of work with you,
and I'm not saying this to toot your
481
:horn, but I haven't had it at at all.
482
:And I mean, a lot of your
clients have very complex.
483
:Accounts or you know, some not, but
Bing accounts and it hasn't been yet
484
:where a client has come forward and
said, well, I can't get this document
485
:because power of attorney isn't accepted.
486
:I need a new power of attorney I
can, I can, I can say that, yes,
487
:that that's, it's very helpful.
488
:It prevents families from having to go
back and forth and be frustrated that
489
:the power of attorney isn't accepted.
490
:So that is, that is great.
491
:Um.
492
:Now I understand why 'cause
of the lengthiness, but,
493
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah.
494
:Tzivya Murrin: from a successful story,
I feel like, to be honest, I feel like
495
:every day is another successful story.
496
:Be, um, so I can give a, a latest one
of this was just this week, but we
497
:are, um, you know, we, the client was.
498
:Uh, the facility applied for the
client and the application got denied
499
:for failure to provide documentation.
500
:we, I got all of the documents from
the client that was submitted to, to
501
:Medicaid, reviewed all of the, the
documents and I'm like, I see everything
502
:there is matching up verifications.
503
:Everything is was matching up.
504
:This was a couple months ago.
505
:Um, we resubmitted an application and.
506
:We were able to, we got, we got the
approval yesterday without having the
507
:family needing to gather more documents.
508
:So the caseworker did come back a bunch
of time and ask for documents saying,
509
:I couldn't see this, or, I couldn't
find this, I couldn't find this.
510
:And, you know, it was like
they, they couldn't find.
511
:Um, a, a couple of statements
and one couldn't find a health
512
:insurance letter that they
couldn't find an income statement.
513
:And, you know, I would
right away send it to them.
514
:And this was an example how if we didn't
have that open communication and that
515
:dialogue, this family just would've had
another denial It's the caseworkers kind
516
:of problem in this situation where they're
just not seeing what we're submitting.
517
:But again, it's that follow through.
518
:And, um, this one, we just got the
approval yesterday, which is why
519
:it's, it's in front of my mind.
520
:Um, but that was an example of
where I would say, you know, our
521
:assistance, the family was looking at.
522
:And, and this facility, it
was a little over $500 a day.
523
:So they were looking at a very,
very hefty bill that, you know,
524
:the daughter kept saying she was
losing sleepover, losing sleepover.
525
:Um, and basically, you know, we got the
approval and she texted this morning
526
:saying she had a better night's sleep
than she's had in a really long time.
527
:So, you know, again, I mean, it's just,
it's like that follow up and just knowing
528
:that we're here really to advocate
for, for you and, and for your loved
529
:one, that's our number one priority.
530
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah,
that's, that's great.
531
:I love those stories.
532
:It's, it's a very rewarding
when you get an approval, um.
533
:Yeah, but, and I try to always, I could
talk about Medicaid for days 'cause
534
:there's so many questions that I have
and just so many intricacies, but I
535
:try to keep these under 30 minutes.
536
:So, um, I cannot sing,
uh, tee's praises enough.
537
:Her team is, made us a lot
more efficient and reliable.
538
:Um, so I thank you for that.
539
:And thank you for being on the Good
Steward Law and Wealth podcast today.
540
:Tzivya Murrin: Of course.
541
:Thank you again for having me, Leslie.
542
:Ledly Jennings: Yeah, it was great
to speak with you and until next
543
:time guys, uh, I don't know what
we'll cover next, but it'll be
544
:something interesting, I'm sure.
545
:Thank y'all