When a Loved One May Need Long-Term Care: What Nebraska Families Should Gather Before Applying for Medicaid

When someone you love may need nursing-home care or additional support at home, families often have to make important decisions quickly. At the same time, they may be trying to understand Medicaid, locate financial records, communicate with care providers, and manage the emotions that come with a major change in health.

It can feel like too much—because it often is.

Preparing a few key documents before beginning a Nebraska Medicaid long-term-care application can make the process more manageable. It may also help your family respond more efficiently when the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requests verification or additional information.

Start by gathering personal and legal information

Create one secure place for basic identifying information and documents, including:

• Legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and contact information

• Social Security card, driver’s license, or other identification

• Marriage, divorce, or death information when applicable

• Power of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship documents

• Contact information for the family member or representative helping with the application

If someone will communicate with DHHS on the applicant’s behalf, an authorization or designation of an authorized representative may also be needed.

Collect current income information

Gather documentation for every source of income received by the applicant—and, when applicable, the applicant’s spouse. This may include:

• Social Security benefit verification

• Pension or retirement income statements

• Annuity payments

• Wages or self-employment income

• Veterans benefits

• Rental income

• Other recurring payments

Use the most current statements available. If an amount has changed recently, keep documentation showing the updated amount.

Make a complete list of financial resources

Families are sometimes surprised by how many different accounts and assets must be identified. Depending on the household’s circumstances, records may include:

• Checking, savings, and money-market accounts

• Certificates of deposit

• Stocks, bonds, and investment accounts

• Individual retirement accounts and other retirement assets

• Annuities

• Life-insurance policies and cash values

• Real estate and property

• Vehicles

• Burial funds, prepaid burial arrangements, and cemetery plots

• Trusts or other financial arrangements

Gather complete, recent statements rather than screenshots showing only a balance. DHHS may need information that identifies the owner, account number, statement period, transactions, or terms of the asset.

Organize healthcare and insurance information

Keep copies of available information related to:

• Medicare and Medicaid coverage

• Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage coverage

• Prescription-drug coverage

• Employer or retiree health insurance

• Long-term-care insurance

• Monthly insurance premiums

• Recent medical or care assessments, when relevant

If the person is moving into a nursing facility, also request the admission agreement, rate information, and monthly invoices or statements from the facility.

Keep records of major financial transactions and care expenses

Do not discard receipts or proof of payment. Keep an organized record of:

• Nursing-facility, assisted-living, home-care, and medical expenses

• Payments made from the applicant’s funds

• Transfers, gifts, sales, or changes in ownership involving money or property

• Large deposits or withdrawals

• Debts and other significant financial obligations

Medicaid eligibility is individual and can involve detailed financial rules. Before transferring assets, giving money away, changing ownership, or making major spend-down decisions, consider obtaining advice from a qualified elder-law attorney or financial professional.

Do not wait for every document before asking for help

You may not have everything on this list, and that is okay. The first step is understanding what you already have, what is missing, and which questions need to be answered.

Nebraska DHHS currently allows people to apply for Medicaid online through iServe Nebraska, by telephone, or with a paper application. The correct path and supporting information will depend on the person’s age, disability status, care needs, finances, household, and whether services are being requested in a facility or at home.

How Aging Ally can help

Aging Ally helps individuals and families bring order to an overwhelming process. Depending on your needs, we can help you:

• Understand the application steps and identify information that may be needed

• Create a personalized document checklist

• Organize financial, insurance, and care information

• Complete and submit application information with you

• Track requests, deadlines, and follow-up items

• Communicate more effectively with care providers and agencies

• Identify questions that should be directed to an attorney, financial adviser, or other professional

You do not have to carry the entire process alone.

Facing a long-term-care transition or a Nebraska Medicaid application? Call Aging Ally at (531) 893-1546 to schedule a complimentary 20-minute Discovery Call and learn how we may be able to help.

Aging Ally provides healthcare-navigation, organizational, and application-support services. We do not provide legal, tax, or financial advice, determine Medicaid eligibility, or guarantee approval. Eligibility and benefit decisions are made by Nebraska DHHS. Information is general and may change; families should verify current requirements with DHHS and consult qualified legal or financial professionals when appropriate.