When a loved one suddenly needs nursing-home care, most families feel unprepared, emotionally, legally, and financially.
At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we help Ohio families find calm in the crisis. Our attorneys act quickly to protect your home, savings, and eligibility for Medicaid, so you can focus on your loved one’s care instead of paperwork and penalties.
Since 2002, our firm has guided families across Erie, Ottawa, and Lorain Counties through the intricate Medicaid system with compassion, clarity, and proven results.
If you’re facing an immediate placement or an unexpected hospital-to-nursing-home transition, we can help you secure benefits faster, without losing everything you have worked so hard to obtain. As one client shared:
“Brumbaugh Law handled every detail with professionalism and genuine compassion. They made a frightening situation manageable and gave our family peace of mind.”
What Is Medicaid Crisis Planning in Ohio?
Medicaid crisis planning is the process of helping families qualify for long-term-care benefits faster while protecting as many assets as possible.
If your spouse, parent, or loved one is entering a nursing home right now, you don’t have five years to wait out the Medicaid lookback period. Our team helps you take immediate, compliant steps that preserve your home, savings, and dignity while meeting the strict financial limits set by the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
Common goals of crisis planning include:
- Qualifying for Medicaid without spending everything down
- Protecting a spouse’s income and retirement assets
- Keeping the family home safe from estate recovery
- Paying for care while avoiding penalties or ineligibility
Our Medicaid Crisis Planning Services
Our Medicaid crisis planning services include:
- Medicaid Eligibility Assessment
- Asset Protection Planning
- Exempt vs. Countable Asset Guidance
- Medicaid-Compliant Trusts and Annuities
- Spend-Down Planning
- Medicaid Application Preparation
- Coordination with Care Facilities and Agencies
- Spousal Asset and Income Protection
- Nursing Home and Care Transition Support
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Brumbaugh Law. Call (419) 504-4674 to schedule your consultation.
How Ohio Medicaid Works During a Care Crisis
Here’s what families often face, and how we help:
| Category | Individual Limit | Married (One Spouse Applying) | Notes |
| Countable Assets | $2,000 | $2,000 for applicant + up to $154,140 for community spouse | Certain assets, like a home and vehicle, are excluded but might be subject to Medicaid estate recovery without further planning. |
| Monthly Income Cap | $2,829 | Reviewed case-by-case | Applicants above the cap can use a Qualified Income Trust (QIT). |
| Home Exemption | Up to $713,000 equity | Exempt if a spouse or dependent resides there but might be subject to Medicaid estate recovery without further planning. | Home protection is key to planning. |
| Lookback Period | 5 years | Applies to both spouses | Transfers within 5 years may trigger penalties. |
According to SeniorLiving.org, the average Ohio nursing-home cost in 2025 is about $9,300 per month, nearly the national average.
Even midrange facilities charge around $224 per day, or $6,700 per month. Without proper planning, a single year of care can exceed $100,000, draining savings quickly.
Our attorneys use proven, legal tools, Medicaid-compliant trusts, spousal allowances, and QITs to qualify families for coverage while preserving what matters most.
Why Families Choose Brumbaugh Law Firm
Families choose Brumbaugh Law Firm because we combine compassion, education, and deep Medicaid experience.
- Education First. Our free “3 Secrets to Medicaid Protection” workshop teaches you how the rules really work before you decide.
- Crisis Competence. We help families protect homes, savings, and benefits, even when care has already started.
- Local Knowledge. We work closely with Erie County Job & Family Services and nearby facilities to allow for timely, accurate filings.
- Holistic Care Focus. With a licensed social worker on staff, we help families handle both the legal and emotional sides of long-term care.
- Proven Relief. Clients consistently describe our firm as “caring, transparent, and life-changing.”
Our Medicaid Crisis Planning Process
Our team guides Ohio families through Medicaid crisis planning with clarity, compassion, and proven experience.
1. Initial Call & Intake
We start with a focused intake to understand your loved one’s care needs, financial picture, and immediate concerns. From there, you’re connected directly to our Medicaid Crisis Planning Team.
2. Dedicated Crisis Planning Team
Our attorneys, paralegals, and care professionals combine legal experience with real-world understanding of Ohio’s Medicaid system to help families handle both eligibility and care challenges.
3. Local Coordination Across Ohio
We work closely with county Job and Family Services offices, hospitals, and long-term care providers across Ohio to streamline the process and address local requirements.
4. Legal & Financial Strategy
Your plan may include asset protection, trust creation, annuities, or spend-down strategies, designed to preserve resources for a spouse or dependents while meeting Medicaid rules.
5. Application & Ongoing Support
We prepare, file, and track your Medicaid application, respond to state or county requests, and remain by your side until benefits are approved.
What Our Ohio Clients Say
“Jody and Pam were incredible! They helped me navigate Medicaid and all the paperwork that came with a friend’s passing. They were patient, professional, and trustworthy every step of the way.
I highly recommend their services.”
— Jacquelyn Streng
“From the time my mother went into assisted living, Brumbaugh Law Firm did an amazing job handling her Medicaid application and protecting her assets. They sorted through five years of financial records, created a Medicaid Compliant Annuity, and protected a large portion of her estate. The entire team acted with compassion, integrity, and patience, even sending an attorney and social worker to meet with my mother in person. I highly recommend them to anyone facing assisted-living or nursing-home care.”
— Richard Schneck
“Pam and Michael were so helpful with my mom’s complicated situation. They worked with her to create the right documents to sell her life estate, settle debt, and distribute funds while preserving eligibility for future Medicaid. They coordinated directly with the realtor and title company and treated us with true compassion. We’d absolutely use their services again.”
— Polly
Ohio Medicaid Rules & Financial Facts
Planning under pressure requires accurate numbers. Here are current (2025) Ohio Medicaid financial limits that shape every crisis plan:
- Asset Limit (Applicant): $2,000
- Community Spouse Allowance: Up to $154,140
- Income Cap: $2,829 per month (use QIT if over)
- Home Exemption: $713,000 equity but greater exemption if spouse/dependent lives there
- Lookback Period: 5 years for transfers
- Average Nursing Home Cost: $9,305/month (statewide)
Local Resources in Ohio
- Firelands Regional Medical Center – Sandusky, OH
- Erie County Job & Family Services – Medicaid Division
- Ottawa County Senior Resources – Port Clinton, OH
- Lorain County Office on Aging – Elyria, OH
- Ohio Department of Medicaid – Columbus, OH
Talk to a Medicaid Crisis Planning Lawyer in Ohio
If your loved one needs care now, you don’t have to face this alone. At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we act quickly to protect your family, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Every day counts in a Medicaid crisis. Request a consultation to start protecting what you’ve earned.
