03 Jul How can I find an attorney who specializes in Medicaid estate recovery?

Q. How do I find a legal firm who specializes in Medicaid estate recovery, how to protect your assets now and what the law is when you are a QMB?
— Looking for help

A. Finding a professional who is right for your situation can take time.

So you will have to do some homework.

First, understand that the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program provides Medicare coverage of Part A and Part B premiums and cost sharing to low-income beneficiaries, said Shirley Whitenack, an estate planning attorney with Schenck, Price, Smith & King in Florham Park.

“Federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers from billing people who are in the QMB program,” she said.

You can search for an elder law attorney who is familiar with Medicaid recovery by going to the website of the New Jersey chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, she said.

By clicking on the “View Details,” you can review the practice areas covered by the attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney, you should reach out to Legal Services of New Jersey, which provides free legal assistance to low-income people in New Jersey.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in July 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.