What Is a Certified Medicaid Planner?

How Can a Medicaid Planning Lawyer Help Me?

A Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) is a professional who assists with planning for Medicaid coverage, including long-term care. A Certified Medicaid Planner must demonstrate that they have mastered the knowledge and skills needed to address concerns related to Medicaid's long-term care benefits program. After doing so, they may receive certification from the CMP Governing Board. The CMP designation is a yardstick by which consumers of Medicaid planning services can easily identify who has proven knowledge and competency and who agrees to be held accountable to the highest standards and ethics of the profession. To be certified, a Medicaid Planner must meet a number of requirements related to their education and training in matters involving Medicaid, and have a sufficient level of experience assisting with Medicaid planning, pass an exam showing that they are proficient in Medicaid planning, and devote themselves to meeting high standards as a professional who helps people plan to address Medicaid benefits. A CMP may also be disciplined by the Board if they violate professional standards or engage in unethical behavior. The certification was created by a wide group of Medicaid planning professionals who have devoted their careers to helping families navigate the long-term care Medicaid benefits program.

A Certified Medicaid Planner can provide guidance on the best steps to take to plan for eligibility for Medicaid long-term care assistance. The government, through a joint federal and state program, provides assistance in the Medicaid program for patients needing help with nursing home care, residence in assisted living facilities, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that may provide medical treatment and other forms of care in a person's home. However, a person must qualify for such assistance. Medicaid is a complicated system of benefits provided by government organizations, and those who find themselves in need of such benefits may also need to address personal hardships related to inform health or physical or mental disabilities. A CMP has extensive experience with the Medicaid program and helps people navigate current and new Medicaid rules to develop a financial plan to save assets and income while qualifying a person for Medicaid long-term care benefits.

The goal of a Certified Medicaid Planner is to ensure that clients can meet the requirements for eligibility for Medicaid long-term care in the most cost-effective manner while abiding by the applicable laws. All CMP certificants must abide by high standards and strict ethical principles. The CMP Governing Board has set standards for practice that CMPs must follow. A number of professionals with experience in Medicaid planning make up an ethics panel that has established principles that focus on meeting the needs of clients. These principles are meant to serve as a guide for CMPs, ensuring that they follow ethical practices and provide clients with high-quality services. People who receive Medicaid planning services can rest assured that when they work with a CMP, they will be treated ethically and with high levels of professionalism.

Contact Our Louisiana Certified Medicaid Planner

Gary Brown is both an elder lawyer and CMP. To receive assistance with Medicaid planning, contact us at 504-447-6000 and set up your initial consultation.