PACE Expansion Application: How New Service Areas Get Approved
How PACE organizations apply to expand into new areas, what the CMS approval process looks like, and what it means for families waiting for PACE coverage where they live.
Blog
All articles about Dual Eligible: Coordinating Medicare and Medicaid.
How to Coordinate Medicare and Medicaid After Hospital Discharge Without a Professional
Step-by-step guide to coordinating Medicare and Medicaid after a parent's hospital discharge — the transition from SNF to long-term care without hiring a professional.
How to Qualify for Both Medicare and Medicaid
Dual eligibility gives seniors the most comprehensive public health coverage. Learn the income and asset requirements, full vs partial status, and how to apply.
Dual Eligible Guide vs Free Medicare and Medicaid Resources: What's Missing from Government Sites
Compare a dual eligible coordination guide against free Medicare.gov and state Medicaid resources — what government sites cover, what they miss, and when a guide fills the gap.
How to Apply for a Medicare Savings Program
Medicare Savings Programs pay premiums, deductibles, and copays for low-income seniors. Learn about QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI programs and how to apply.
Dual Eligible Coordination Guide vs Elder Law Attorney: Which Do You Need?
Compare a dual eligible coordination guide against hiring an elder law attorney for Medicare-Medicaid coordination — costs, scope, and when each makes sense.
Best Medicare Medicaid Coordination Tool for Caregivers Managing Both Programs Alone
The best dual eligible coordination tool for solo caregivers navigating Medicare and Medicaid without professional help — what to look for and why it matters.
Alternatives to Hiring a Certified Medicaid Planner for Dual Eligible Coordination
Five alternatives to a Certified Medicaid Planner for coordinating Medicare and Medicaid — from free resources to coordination guides, with honest tradeoffs for each.
Who Pays First: Medicare or Medicaid?
Medicare generally pays first when Medicare and Medicaid are the relevant coverage, but other insurance can take priority. Learn the coordination of benefits rules, secondary payer hierarchy, and what happens when claims cross over.
How to Appeal a Medicare Claim Denial: A Step-by-Step Guide
Complete walkthrough of Medicare's 5-level appeals process. Learn deadlines, required forms, and strategies for overturning denied claims for your elderly parent.
Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care?
Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing rehab (up to 100 days) but not long-term custodial care. Learn what's covered, what isn't, and how Medicaid fills the gap.
What Is a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)?
The QMB program pays Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays for low-income seniors. Learn eligibility rules, how to apply, and the federal balance-billing ban.
Extra Help with Medicare Part D: Income Limits and How to Apply
The Extra Help program (Low Income Subsidy) cuts Medicare Part D drug costs to near zero. Learn the 2026 income limits, application steps, and automatic eligibility rules.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Through Medicaid
Medicaid can provide covered rides to medical appointments through NEMT. Learn how to arrange transportation, what D-SNPs offer, and how to use these benefits for elderly parents.
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) Explained
D-SNPs coordinate Medicare and Medicaid under one plan for dual eligible seniors. Learn how FIDE, HIDE, and CO D-SNPs work, plus enrollment rules for 2026.
Medicaid Spend Down Strategies: How to Reduce Assets and Qualify
Legal strategies to spend down assets for Medicaid eligibility without triggering look-back penalties. Covers compliant annuities, funeral trusts, home modifications, and more.
Medicaid Look-Back Period: The 5-Year Rule Explained
The Medicaid look-back period reviews 60 months of financial transactions before application. Learn how penalties work, state variations, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Medicaid Estate Recovery Program: What Heirs Need to Know
After a Medicaid recipient dies, the state can recover costs from their estate. Learn how MERP works, which assets are targeted, and available exemptions.
Hospital Discharge Planning: Navigating the Medicare to Medicaid Transition
What happens when Medicare's 100-day skilled nursing limit runs out. How to transition your parent from Medicare-covered rehab to Medicaid long-term care without a coverage gap.
Medicaid Redetermination Process: How to Renew Your Elderly Parent's Benefits
Step-by-step guide to Medicaid redetermination for elderly parents. Covers renewal deadlines, required documents, unwinding rules, and how to prevent D-SNP disenrollment.
Certified Medicaid Planner: What They Do and When You Need One
A Certified Medicaid Planner specializes in Medicaid eligibility and asset protection. Learn what they do, what they cost, and when a planner vs. an elder-law attorney is the right call.
HCBS Waiver Medicaid: Home Care vs. Nursing Home for Your Elderly Parent
How Medicaid HCBS waivers fund home care as an alternative to nursing homes. Covers eligibility, waitlists, services covered, and how to apply for your parent.
Caregiver Agreement for Medicaid: How to Get Paid Without Triggering Penalties
How to structure a Medicaid-compliant caregiver agreement so family caregivers get paid without triggering look-back transfer penalties or jeopardizing eligibility.
CMS-10106 Form: How to Authorize Medicare to Share Information About Your Parent
Step-by-step guide to filing CMS-10106 to authorize 1-800-MEDICARE to share your parent's information, plus when you need CMS-1696, a POA, or HIPAA release instead.