As of 2020, because of the confusing application process for Medicaid long-term care, a large number of applications get wrongfully denied. Attempts have been made to correct this problem, such as the “Business Process Redesign” (BPR), but there are still many issues, so make sure that everything is organized and easy to navigate for the HHSC staff. If you feel overwhelmed with the process, then hire an attorney to assist you. An attorney will have access to special help without having to use the appeal process.
HHSC accepts applications for Medicaid long-term care in three ways:
- Online filing: YourTexasBenefits.com;
- By Fax: 1-877-447-2839
- Filing a hard copy: Mail to HHSC, P.O. Box 149024, Austin, TX 78714-9024
Checklist of Items Needed to Apply for Medicaid
- Copy of Power of Attorney documents
- Copy of your mother’s photo ID
- Your mother’s Medicare card
- Supplemental health insurance cards
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage License
- Verification of health insurance premiums
- All life insurance policies
- All prepaid funeral contracts and burial policies (make sure they are irrevocable)
- Verification of all income: Social Security stubs, pension/retirement checks, civil service, VA benefits, annuities, etc.
- Last 3 months of all checking and saving accounts
- Current CD statement
- Current IRA statement
- Current 401k statement
- Current brokerage account statement
- All stock certificates or account statements
- All mutual funds
- Most recent tax assessment for all real property
- All deeds to real estate owned
- Documentation showing all of your mother’s transfers in the past five years
Documentation of your mother’s transfers is a very important piece of information that you must provide. I understand that this might be difficult, but you are required by law to provide this when applying for Medicaid.
