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AUGUST 2025
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Denied but Not Defeated How to Bounce Back After a Medicaid Application Rejection
It doesn’t matter if you’re asking out your high school crush on a date, trying to get a loan for your first home, or applying for a job; rejection hurts. While we can find alternatives when faced with rejection or denial throughout various situations in our lives, things can become much more complicated when it affects our life plans and future. Over the years, I’ve worked with many people who have been denied Medicaid coverage and have helped them move forward with clarity and confidence. When denied Medicaid coverage, you’ll receive a letter from Florida’s Department of Children and Families that will provide explicit reasoning behind the denial. The most common reasons people get denied are due to income or assets exceeding eligibility limits, missing or incomplete documentation, failure to meet residency or citizenship requirements, and issues related to your medical necessity for long-term care. You can fix most of these problems quickly by including the missing documentation, proof of citizenship, and medical needs when you reapply. Still, asset and income eligibility may require some additional legwork. In 2025, an individual applying for long-term care Medicaid must have an income below $2,901 per month and countable assets under $2,000 in value. You can put legal strategies in place to preserve your funds and assets while still qualifying for Medicaid. If your income is too high, you could establish a Qualified Income Trust that directly places all funds over the eligibility limit into the Trust. Non-applying spouses can retain up to $157,920 in assets, so you could transfer funds or assets to them. If all else fails, you can spend down your assets, but this is usually a last resort option. Another thing to remember regarding your income and assets is that Florida has a five-year look-back period. Any asset transfers within the past five years will be scrutinized, including any assets you gifted to family, any property you transferred or sold below market value, and undocumented transfers.
as missing information. All you need to do is read through your denial letter to determine the issue, fix the problem, and submit a new application. If your application is denied for reasons you do not think are justified, you can always appeal the decision by requesting a Fair Hearing through the Agency for Health Care Administration. This hearing will allow you to present your case and respond to any questions the hearing officer may have. If your appeal is denied, you can still take further actions to move forward and try to obtain Medicaid benefits. You may need to reapply with new information or request a judicial review. However, if you want to give your application the best chance for approval, work with an experienced and knowledgeable
Medicaid attorney. My team and I are ready to help you navigate this complex process and develop a strategy that fits your unique situation!
-Barry Siegel
All hope is not lost if you are denied coverage. You can always reapply, especially if the denial was due to something as simple
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Social media is a huge part of growing up today. From sharing pictures to keeping up with friends and family, it’s become a daily routine for many kids. But it also comes with serious risks. Here’s how to help your kids use social media wisely. HOW OLD SHOULD THEY BE? The American Academy of Pediatrics advises children to be at least 13 before opening a social media account. But that is not an absolute: Some kids may be ready at 13, others not until 16. Research has identified serious negative effects on children under 13, such as not enough sleep, poor body image, and cyberbullying. START THE CONVERSATION ON YOUR TERMS. Before your child opens their first account, ensure they know social media isn’t just likes and filters — it’s a public space where people share their lives and opinions. Help them understand the permanence of what they post. Even if something “disappears,” screenshots and digital footprints last forever. CHAT ABOUT PRIVACY. Privacy settings are your child’s first defense, but they are not perfect. Explain why it’s important to protect personal information. Ensure they never share things like their school name, home address, or phone number online — even with people they think they know. And never become “friends” with anyone they don’t know in person. Scroll Smart A Parent’s Guide to Helping Kids Navigate Social Media
If you’ve ever experienced Probate or heard horror stories from a loved one, you probably thought you would do everything in your power to ensure your family does not have to deal with the time- consuming, complicated process. When we pass away, we want our families to have time to grieve and reflect on all the memories we shared. This becomes a challenging task if they have to go through Probate. Instead of focusing on their emotions and memories, they’ll be meeting with the Probate clerk and judge to determine what will happen to your assets. To avoid Probate entirely, you will need a full-fledged Estate Plan. Some people believe a Will should be enough to cover their bases, but your estate will still be subject to Probate. Trusts are often the best tool to avoid Probate, but working with an experienced Estate Planning attorney will help you determine the best option for your unique circumstances. Don’t Leave Your Family in Probate Purgatory
Don’t think Probate is a big deal? Here are a few reasons why you should try to avoid it.
PROBATE TAKES TIME. As mentioned earlier, Probate is a time-consuming process. You aren’t going to have everything wrapped up in a single day. It could take weeks or even months to go through the various court filings, hearings, creditor notifications, and legal formalities. This is likely not how you want your loved ones spending their time in the days immediately after you’ve passed. YOUR ESTATE BECOMES PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. Most of us are private people. We don’t want the world knowing about our finances, belongings, or personal affairs. However, Probate will make them public knowledge. Probate records are available to the public, and anyone can learn about your assets, debts, beneficiaries, and the distribution of the estate. If you value privacy, you should avoid Probate at all costs. PROBATE CAN BE EXPENSIVE. You want to leave your family the maximum amount of money possible, but that might not be possible if your estate goes through Probate. They’ll have to pull from the estate to pay off legal fees, court expenses, and administrative fees. When you create a comprehensive Estate Plan, you minimize these costs and can ensure your heirs receive the full value of your estate.
REMIND THEM THAT KINDNESS COUNTS. The internet can be a harsh place, but it doesn’t have to be. Teach your kids to treat others with kindness online, just like they would in person. If they wouldn’t say it face-to-face, they shouldn’t post it. It’s also important to talk about how what they post today could impact them in the future, from college applications to job opportunities. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. If you constantly scroll or overshare, kids will think that’s normal. Show them what balanced, thoughtful social media use looks like. Put the phone down. Enjoy time offline. KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING. Social media is always evolving, and so are its challenges. Let your child know they can come to you if something makes them uncomfortable or if they’re unsure about what to do. Being smart on social media is a life skill. With the right guidance, kids can enjoy everything it offers, without falling into the pitfalls. A frank conversation now can make a big difference later.
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Over the next few weeks, many young Americans will leave home to start their college education. This is one of the most exciting times of their lives, and soon, they’ll be taking classes related to their passion, meeting new friends, and getting the full college experience. It’s doubtful that they’ve put any thought into Estate Planning. As their parent, you might not have thought it was necessary, either. They’re young, healthy, and have few assets to leave to others if the unthinkable happens. Most Estate Planning documents and tools are unnecessary at this stage of their lives, but there are a few you should highly encourage them to put in place. They could be their saving grace. Here are a few Estate Planning elements we recommend every college student establish. College Is a New Chapter Make Sure You’re Prepared for the Unexpected
HIPAA WAIVER For the past 18 years, you’ve brought your child to the doctor, picked up their prescriptions, and helped them manage any illnesses or injuries. However, once they turn 18 and become adults, your ability to help becomes extremely limited. You won’t even be able to talk to their doctor about a serious illness if they suddenly become sick. A HIPAA Waiver allows medical professionals to share your child’s medical information with you. This will be incredibly useful if they experience a medical emergency that requires your assistance and support. MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY While a HIPAA Waiver allows you to learn about your child’s condition, a Medical Power of Attorney will enable you to act on their behalf. If they become incapacitated and can no longer make medical decisions independently, you can step in and help out. They’ll also be able to
outline their preferences and wishes, giving you a guide to follow.
FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY Once your child turns 18, they may move out of the house and live with roommates or get a place of their own. If they were to become incapacitated, you wouldn’t be able to step in and access their finances to pay bills or file taxes without a Financial Power of Attorney. This could significantly impact their credit score, living situation, and more. If you have any questions about these Estate Planning elements or want to look into establishing these documents, please contact us today!
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Inside This Issue
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The Road to Medicaid Approval
Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Social Media World
Probate Will Cost Your Family Time, Money, and Privacy
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Why Estate Planning Matters When Your Child Leaves for College
Check Out Our Seminars!
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Your Guide to Dreamy Sleep Habits
When your head hits the pillow, are you counting sheep but not catching any z’s? It’s time to hit snooze on nights of tossing and turning and wake up refreshed with a better sleep routine! Getting the proper amount of rest every night is crucial to living a healthy life and can even help prevent mental health issues like depression and anxiety. A sweet slumber starts with the proper routine. Here’s the dreamy plan to wake up feeling your best. BEDTIME BOUNDARIES Consistency and bedtime boundaries can help your body and mind get into a regular rhythm to reach REM sleep. Try to go to bed around the same time every night to train yourself to get sleepy regularly. It doesn’t matter what time you choose as long as you stick as close to your sleep schedule as possible. You should also select a time before bed when you consistently turn off your phone, computer, and other devices. The blue light from electronics makes your mind think it’s daytime and can distract you from dreaming. Pillow Talk Prep for Your Best Rest Yet
RELAX, REWIND, REST You can use many tools to help relax and unwind from the day and prevent intrusive thoughts and tension from keeping you up at night. Listening to gentle music before entering the bedroom can put you in a sleepy state of mind. Journaling or writing a to-do list before it’s time to nod off can remove lingering stresses or racing thoughts. Try meditation or yoga to ease your muscles, focus your mind, and eliminate anxious feelings. DINE RIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT Though a late-night snack or a delayed dinner might seem harmless, it can make drifting off difficult. Your digestive system takes time and energy to break down food, which can keep you awake if you eat too late. Eat light, healthy suppers so your stomach can take a snooze with you, and avoid eating anything several hours before you plan to hit the hay.
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