Medicaid Modifies Vehicle Exclusion

By Doug Chalgian on October 19, 2021

  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has decided to update the definition of “vehicle” in the context of its long-term care Medicaid programs.  As you...

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Notable BEM Changes

By Doug Chalgian on March 2, 2021

This post is about Medicaid long term care benefits in Michigan, and assumes some general understanding on the part of the reader with respect to Medicaid planning and...

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COA Delivers Lump of Coal to Medicaid Planners

By Doug Chalgian on December 18, 2020

In the combined cases of Schroeder v DHHS and Almy v DHHS , the Michigan Court of Appeals’ imposes severe punishment on the use of probate court protective...

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SBO Trusts Targeted Again

By Doug Chalgian on June 25, 2020

Yesterday, DHHS released a proposed policy which is summarized as follows: Effective October 1, 2020 all transfers by the applicant or the applicant's spouse to a trust established...

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Cautious Optimism Greets MSC Decision on SBO Trusts

By Doug Chalgian on May 10, 2019

The SBO Trust is back – or is it? Yesterday the Michigan Supreme Court released its long awaited decision in the case of Hegadorn v The Department of...

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Proposed Policy Promises Problems for Planners

By Doug Chalgian on April 4, 2019

This is a post about Medicaid long term care planning. The topic is a proposed policy change related to the use of promissory notes in Medicaid planning.  If...

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Puzzling New Medicaid Policy on Homestead Exemption to Take Effect

By Doug Chalgian on January 9, 2019

  Heads Up: If Medicaid planning isn’t your bag, you may want to pass on this post. As of February 1, 2019, Bridges Eligibility Manual Item 400 (aka...

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VA Program Adds Divestment Rules and More

By Doug Chalgian on September 18, 2018

The so-called “Aid and Attendance” pension has become an important source of income for older adults needing long term care services, and an important source of business for...

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MSC Takes Its Shot at Estate Recovery

By Doug Chalgian on August 1, 2017

The Michigan Supreme Court has released an opinion in four combined cases all involving Michigan's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program.  As we've learned from prior posts, the Michigan Court of Appeals...

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Estate Recovery – Last Gasp or Second Wind

By Doug Chalgian on January 11, 2017

Thursday, January 12, the Michigan Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in several combined matters all relating to the issue of Medicaid estate recovery. The main...

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Doug Chalgian

About The Author: Doug Chalgian

I am an estate planning, probate litigating, elder law attorney. This is a blog for clients and professional colleagues. In it I offer my ideas about the state of the law and the practice of law. I believe we are living through a unique period during which the law (which is traditionally slow to change) and society are attempting to evolve to address the explosion of people living long lives. I find these developments fascinating and enjoy being involved in this evolution.