Medicaid Asset Protection planning began for me in 1996, frankly, when very few attorneys considered this a worthy practice area. Beginning with one assistant and a clientele that came from word of mouth, my Medicaid practice grew considerably. As each case presented itself with unique facts, further understanding of Florida Medicaid guidelines became necessary to accommodate individual family dynamics and case circumstances. Over the past 21 years, I have implemented many different strategies; some commonly known and some created as a by-product of intense due diligence necessary to accommodate my clients’ needs.

Today, more than 6,000 cases later, my company, Platinum Benefit Services, Inc. has assisted families in protecting more than an estimated $750 Million of assets. We have also assisted Community Spouses in maximizing spendable income resulting from optimum diversion of patient income. Further, we’ve assisted large nursing home holding companies in remedying large scale Medicaid pending problems. 

Software Creation and Benefits

These experiences led to the creation of MedicaidEsq™ software, a streamlined compilation of the knowledge resulting from two decades of experience. MedicaidEsq™ includes common industry strategies and also, strategies specifically designed by Platinum Benefit Services, Inc.. The MedicaidEsq™ software is dynamic, robust, and provides a user-friendly interface. 

Attorneys will have access to a secure, cloud based, intuitive software assisting the practitioner in Medicaid Planning by providing:

•  Appropriate, yet streamlined questioning to automatically determine potential asset or income protection strategies.

•  Explanations of each strategy.

•  Tips about when a strategy may be appropriate and when the strategy MAY NOT be appropriate.

•  Tax implications of each strategy.

•  Examples to help complete an understanding of each strategy.

The Reasons

Why am I willing to divulge information, techniques, and strategies acquired over 20 years and thousands of cases prior to the 2015 UPL Opinion, that even seasoned Medicaid planning attorneys are unaware of? Because Platinum will undoubtedly generate more business by consulting with and teaching a large network of attorneys the art of high quality Medicaid Plan creation, who will, in turn refer administrative and application functions to our firm. While there are competent attorneys in the Medicaid planning field - many more are needed to properly serve our exploding senior population. Furthermore, the 2015 Florida Supreme Court opinion on the Unlicensed Practice of Law, as it relates to Medicaid Planning, set forth guidelines on what parts of Medicaid Planning are allowed for non-lawyers. These guidelines directly impacted Non-Attorney Medicaid Planning firms who chose to abide by the specifics of he Opinion, although many continue to violate it. Platinum however, has embraced the opinion and has prospered by focusing on plan implementation and application processing for attorney created plans. By offering our vast experience and knowledge of high quality plan creation to the legal profession, rather than directly to the consumer, we have created a much more efficient way of distributing that experience and knowledge to the seniors and families that benefit the most. We continue to relentlessly perfect the science of expediting plan implementation and application processing. This dual approach has become a “WIN” for all involved!

Finally, few, if any law firms are structured for timely and efficient plan implementation and application processing. A large and consistent case volume is necessary to have a “well oiled machine”. We are that “well oiled machine” that allows you to practice law and families to be confident that a timely approval will occur.

How The Attorney Benefits

For attorneys who currently offer Medicaid Planning as an area of practice but wish to avoid or eliminate the staffing requirements and the headaches associated with the bureaucratic maze of the Department of Children and Families, we offer an attractive solution to in house application processing.

For others who currently know little about Medicaid Planning, and therefore refer business to local "CELA", you will find that MedicaidEsq™ provides knowledge and consulting allowing you to retain your client in-house. This client retention provides an additional revenue source, eliminates potential referral dissatisfaction that may occur as a result of poor performance from the referred to attorney, and also eliminates the risk of self-inflicted client loss (for future work) to the friendly competitor you referred the case.

MedicaidEsq™ Software provides the tools necessary to effectively interview your client, understand potentially appropriate asset protection strategies and identify needed documents. Platinum Benefit Services, Inc. is available to consult with you until an acceptable plan is established and approved by both you and the client. Platinum will then take over and pursue ALL needed detail information, including verification of assets and income in writing, assist the legal representative with the implementation of the Asset Protection Plan, prepare, file and successfully complete the application process with the Department of Children and Families; all without additional involvement from you. This is the MedicaidEsq™ "Asset Protection and Filing System" - A "Turn Key" Medicaid Planning Practice that can be an “add on” to your current estate planning practice.

You can now purely practice law and pass the administrative burden of plan implementation and application processing to Platinum. This means eliminating:

• Distraction for yourself and your staff
• Hold times of 45 minutes or more when calling DCF only to get a call center staffer that cannot solve any problem
• Panicked calls and concerns from clients about countless issues no matter how invalid
• Voluminous mail processing, resulting from DCF and managed care company communications.
• Annual recertification headaches
• Fair Hearings
• Correcting inaccurate approvals (incorrect months, patient responsibility amounts, etc.)
• Correcting inaccurate denials
• Dealing with unhappy and demanding nursing homes
• And so many more nuisance issues that simply detract from your legal practice and preferred skill set.

Why Platinum Processing

After two decades of Medicaid asset protection plan creation, Medicaid application processing, and consistent investment in proprietary infrastructure, (i.e., custom processing software, custom reporting software, custom planning software, training of high quality processing staff, and the hiring of a highly select individual directly from the Department of Children and Families more than 17 years ago), Platinum Benefit Services, Inc. has become the most knowledgeable, experienced, professional and effective Medicaid application processing company in the country. We believe so strongly in our ability to successfully process an application and obtain a timely approval, that we give our clients a 100% Money Back Performance Guarantee.

It took more than 21 years to gain the knowledge and technology now available to you through MedicaidEsq™ and Platinum Benefit Services, Inc. Use It and Prosper!

Click below if you are interested in a free trial and finding out more about adding Medicaid Planning or improving the process in your practice!

Antony Turbeville

President

Platinum Benefit Services, Inc.