A Year in Review: Top 10 Blog Posts

Dec. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- With 2013 coming to a close, now is a perfect time to reflect on all that’s happened throughout the past year.  I thought I’d start by looking through my blog posts of 2013, many of which signified major events in the Medicaid and VA planning industries.  I’ve rounded up the top ten blog posts of 2013 below, based on the views they’ve generated.

1.  Dun Dun Dun…More Trouble for Promissory Notes (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/dun-dun-dun-more-trouble-for-promissory-notes-3/)

Written July 30, 2013, this blog post ended up being among the most popular.  It includes a synopsis of Landy v. Velez, wherein a federal district court considered three promissory notes purchased by two Medicaid applicants to be available, countable resources that rendered the applicants ineligible for Medicaid.

2.  Planning for an Individual with No Longevity

Written February 6, 2013, this blog launched to the top of the most-read list in light of it’s unique planning scenario.  In most cases involving a single institutionalized individual, a half-a-loaf plan is the first technique that comes to mind.  Many forget an alternate technique, that in some cases can be far more advantageous.

3.  What’s Happening to VA Planning with Annuities? (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/whats-happening-to-va-plan...)

This blog was written February 26, 2013, and covers a topic that has become quote popular – the use of annuities in Veterans Benefits planning.  Annuities have occasionally come under scrutiny in determining eligibility.  Read this blog to find out how to rebut that scrutiny.

4.  Don’t Forget About the Community Spouse (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/dont-forget-about-the-comm...)

Written April 2, 2013, this post covers a topic that not many give thought to when proceeding with a Medicaid Compliant Annuity in a spousal case – the community spouse’s future long-term care needs.

5.  What Happens if You Exceed Resource Limits During a Penalty Period? (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/what-happens-if-you-exceed...)

This blog was written August 19, 2013, and covers a surprisingly common occurrence – the receipt of excess resources while already serving a divestment penalty period.  What do you do with the resources?  Will the penalty continue to run?  Read this blog to find out.

6.  What is the Appropriate Length for a Spousal Medicaid Compliant Annuity? (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/what-is-the-appropriate-length-for-a-spousal-medicaid-compliant-annuity-3/)

Written August 20, 2013, this post discusses several factors to take into consideration in determining the appropriate length for a Medicaid Compliant Annuity purchased by a community spouse.  Do you go short, or do you go long?

7.  Planning Around Existing Life Insurance (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/planning-around-existing-life-insurance-3/)

This post was provided on May 15, 2013, and outlines some simple options for those clients that come to you with existing life insurance policies.  It’s not always best to simply cash them in.

8.  Long-Term Care:  A Trend for Tomorrow (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/long-term-care-a-trend-for-tomorrow-3/)

Written July 17, 2013, this blog post covers a brief cast study, outlining how a significant amount of long-term care costs could have been avoided if a community spouse had purchased long-term care insurance when her institutionalized spouse had qualified for Medicaid.  Hindsight is always 20/20!

9.  Purchase Funeral Policies for the Entire Family (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/purchase-funeral-policies-for-the-entire-family-3/)

This blog post provides a synopsis of a Wisconsin decision wherein a married couple purchased prepaid funeral policies for them, their children, and their children’s spouses, resulting in a total investment of $195,000.  The blog post was written August 6, 2013.

10.  Medicaid Recipient Receives Inheritance (http://www.medicaidannuity.com/medicaid-recipient-receives-inheritance/)

What do you do when your client is already in a nursing home receiving Medicaid benefits, then receives a personal injury settlement or inheritance?  Read this October 11, 2013, blog post to determine what some available planning options may be.