This is Tracy Thompson. I am the firm expert on Elder Law and Medicaid Planning. My specialty is helping people figure out how to pay for long term care. Sometimes that means planning years in advance, perhaps with the purchase of long term care insurance, creative estate planning, and the proper titling of assets. But many times I am called on in the midst of a crisis; someone is headed to a nursing home at $7,000 a month, and the family is wondering how to pay for all of that. What will happen to a life's savings? Will we lose the family home or farm?
Don't panic; come see me instead. I can guide you through the tangled Medicare/Medicaid system that helps seniors pay nursing home bills. I have recently filed dozens of successful Medicaid applications for long term care nursing home benefits, often helping families preserve assets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Medicaid planning is not for the faint of heart. The law changes rapidly, as do the best techniques to help clients preserve as much as possible. I stay abreast of all the latest through my daily updates on the internet, and my memberships in the State Bar of Michigan's Elder Law Section and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. But expertise is not all you get when you hire me. I grew up in Ludington and am active in the community. I know personally many of the people who provide services for our elderly, so I can be a great resource to help a family find the right people. Finally, and most importantly, I care deeply about my elderly clients and their families and I treat them with the respect they deserve.
Call me for an appointment in Ludington at (231) 843-8579, in Baldwin at (231) 745-4739 or email me at tracy.thompson@thompsonglanville.com.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.
Search the following recommended resources and web sites for helpful information:
FIRM RESOURCES
Legal Fees Q&A
Long Term Care Interview Form
Long Term Care Document List
LOCAL RESOURCES
*TT&G offers this listing of local resources for reference purposes only. The listing does not constitute an endorsement, referral, or statement of qualifications by TT&G.
Assisted Living & Elder Care Facilities
Funeral Homes
Home Health Care Services
Hospice Services
Senior Citizen Services and Organizations
WEB SITES
- Administration on Aging
Elder rights, Medicare, long-term planning &local resources
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Organization for Seniors - Get the latest news, facts on health reform,
senior services and more . . .
- Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
Manistee County
- Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Lake, Mason, Newaygo and Osceola Counties
- Caring Connections
Links to brochures of interest to seniors.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Programs
and general information.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Choosing a good nursing home, nursing care and payment methods.
- Elder Law General Information
Topics, forms and related articles
- Michigan Department of Community Health - Medicare
What is Medicare? Michigan Medicare Health Plans and more . . .
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.
A professional organization dedicated to improving the quality of legal
services provided to seniors and people with special needs.
- Oceana County Council on Aging
- Senior Citizen Resources - FirstGov for Seniors
Elder care, hospice, end of life issues, tax planning, estate planning,
and more . . . links to everything of interest to seniors.
- Social Security General Information
Topics, forms and related articles.
- Social Security OnLine
How do I apply for retirement benefits? Disability benefits?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
- Texas A&M Family & Consumer Services
Excellent resource for "real life" elder care issues.