When it comes to Medicaid applications, the window for documentation only stays open for so long.

In this episode, Dave Shaffer teams up with attorney Hannah Mills and paralegal Kristel Martini to walk through the often overwhelming process of assembling documentation for a Medicaid application. While Medicaid is the only government program that covers nursing home care, applying for it requires navigating a complex, county-level bureaucratic process with strict deadlines and extensive documentation requirements. Currently, applicants have three calendar months from the date they want coverage to begin to gather and submit all required materials—but starting January 1, 2027, that window shrinks to just two months.

Dave, Hannah, and Kristel break down the three main documentation categories: personal documents, financial information, and income information. They explain why caseworkers require every single page of every bank statement and why handwritten notes on statements are a dealbreaker. The team also discusses the 10-day deadline for responding to caseworker requests, the importance of getting powers of attorney on file with financial institutions early, and what happens when the applicant passes away mid-application. The episode features real-world scenarios through the lens of Sally and John Smith's Medicaid journey—from dealing with closed bank accounts and legal department reviews to explaining cash withdrawals and reimbursements.