At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we help Sandusky families in crisis protect homes, savings, and independence while meeting urgent Medicaid requirements. Since 2002, we have guided hundreds of families through the high-pressure process of qualifying for care without losing everything.
When a loved one suddenly enters a nursing home or hospital, such as Firelands Regional Medical Center or a local facility like Parkvue Community, the cost of care can exceed $8,000 per month.
Many families assume they must spend down all their assets before Medicaid will help, but with the right planning, that’s not the case. Our experience, local relationships, and proven strategies allow us to step in quickly, preserve assets, and give families peace of mind during one of life’s most stressful transitions.
What Is Medicaid Crisis Planning and Why It Matters in Sandusky
Medicaid crisis planning is the process of helping someone who suddenly needs long-term care (like nursing home care) but hasn’t already put legal or financial protections in place. It’s called a “crisis” because the person may:
- Already be in a nursing home or hospital.
- Be facing very high costs of care ($8,000–$12,000/month or more).
- Risk losing savings and assets quickly.
The goal of Medicaid crisis planning is to qualify for Medicaid benefits as soon as possible while protecting as many assets as the law allows. Unlike proactive Medicaid planning, which is done years in advance, crisis planning works under urgent timelines and strict eligibility rules.
Crisis planning uses legal tools like Qualified Income Trusts, exempt transfers, and carefully structured irrevocable trusts to preserve assets while still qualifying for Medicaid.
For families in Erie County, this can mean keeping a home in Perkins Township or savings set aside for children, instead of watching everything be consumed by care costs.
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
- Medicaid Appeals and Denial Responses
- 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.
Our Medicaid Crisis Planning Process
At our Sandusky office, we follow a clear, step-by-step system to guide families through Medicaid crisis planning with compassion and efficiency.
1. Intake & Initial Call
Our intake team is your first point of contact. They will listen carefully to your situation, gather essential details about your loved one’s care needs and financial picture, and answer immediate questions. From there, they connect you directly with our Medicaid Crisis Planning Team.
2. Connection to the Medicaid Crisis Planning Team
The Crisis Planning Team includes attorneys, paralegals, and professionals with social work experience who understand both the legal and emotional challenges of a care crisis. This combination makes sure that we address financial and legal eligibility, while also helping families handle the healthcare system with empathy and practical support.
3. Review of Sandusky-Area Resources and Entities
Because our office works closely with families in Sandusky and surrounding areas, we coordinate with local entities such as:
- Area nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
- Sandusky County Job and Family Services (which oversees Medicaid applications).
- Local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and social service organizations.
This local knowledge helps us move the process forward efficiently and anticipate requirements unique to Sandusky residents.
4. Legal & Financial Strategy
Once eligibility and needs are clear, our attorneys craft a tailored plan. This may include:
- Protecting the family home and other exempt assets.
- Structuring finances with trusts, annuities, or spend-down strategies.
- Protecting resources for a healthy spouse or dependents.
5. Medicaid Application & Ongoing Advocacy
Our team prepares and files the Medicaid application, confirming accuracy to avoid costly delays or denials. We also remain available to answer questions, respond to the county office, and guide you through every step until benefits are approved.
Why Choose Brumbaugh Law Firm for Crisis Services
When families in Sandusky face a Medicaid crisis, they turn to Brumbaugh Law Firm because of our proven ability to act quickly and protect what matters most.
- Education first: We believe the best protection starts with knowledge. That’s why we host our “3 Secrets of Estate Planning” workshops to help families understand how to safeguard their assets, qualify for Medicaid, and make confident long-term care decisions before a crisis happens.
- Experience under pressure: Since 2002, we have guided families through urgent Medicaid cases where timing and precision are critical.
- Local insight: We work closely with Erie County Job and Family Services, Firelands Regional Medical Center, and area nursing homes, so we understand how cases are handled here.
- Holistic approach: With both legal and social work professionals on staff, we address not only the paperwork but also the medical and care decisions that accompany a crisis.
- Asset protection strategies: From Qualified Income Trusts to exemptions for the family home, we know the tools available to preserve property and savings.
- Community trust: Our firm is rooted in Sandusky, with deep ties to local civic groups, senior programs, and care providers.
In a crisis, you need more than advice, you need an experienced team that can move fast, handle the details, and protect your family’s future.
Can Medicaid Take My House if I Go Into a Nursing Home Unexpectedly?
Medicaid does not automatically take your home. In Ohio, your primary residence is usually exempt while you are living, especially if a spouse or dependent lives there or if you intend to return home.
The concern comes after death. Through the Estate Recovery Program, the state may seek repayment for care costs, which is handled locally by the Erie County Probate Court on Columbus Avenue. Without planning, this can put your home at risk.
Our team works with Erie County Job and Family Services, Firelands Regional Medical Center, and local nursing homes such as Parkvue Community and the Ohio Veterans Home to protect assets and guide families through Medicaid’s rules.
Local Resources We Work With in Sandusky
Our Medicaid crisis planning team partners with trusted organizations and community resources throughout Sandusky and Erie County, including:
- Erie County Job and Family Services (Sandusky). Assistance with Medicaid eligibility and benefits processing.
- Firelands Regional Medical Center. Coordinating with hospital staff on discharge planning and transitions to long-term care.
- Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Erie County. Including Parkvue Community, Concord Care, Ohio Veterans Home, and others.
- Erie County Probate Court (Columbus Avenue). Handling guardianships, estates, and related elder law matters.
- Sandusky Library and Community Programs. Connecting families with educational workshops and local support services.
- Cedar Point Employee Families and Retirees. Special outreach to assist those connected to one of Sandusky’s largest employers.
- Local Civic Groups and Nonprofits. Collaborating with organizations that support seniors and caregivers in the community.
Get Help with Medicaid Crisis Planning Today
If a loved one is already in a nursing home or hospital, every day without a plan can put your family’s assets at risk. At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we help families in Sandusky, Erie, Ottawa, and Lorain counties qualify for Medicaid while protecting homes, savings, and independence.
Call our Sandusky office or request a consultation online today. The sooner you act, the more options we have to protect your family’s future.
