What Is a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP)?

Paying for long-term care can quickly become one of the most expensive financial challenges families face. With nursing home and assisted living costs often reaching thousands of dollars per month, many people eventually turn to Medicaid for help. However, qualifying for Medicaid can be complicated due to strict income and asset rules. That’s where a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) can help, these professionals specialize in navigating Medicaid eligibility and long-term care planning so families can better understand their options.

If you need help planning for future health care expenses, a financial advisor could guide you in creating a financial plan for your needs. Let’s break down what a CMP could do for you.

What Is a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP)?

Even if you have a basic understanding, rules and guidelines for Medicaid change, and a Certified Medicaid Planner can help. A CMP is a professional in the Medicaid field who is certified by the Certified Medicaid Planning Governing Board. The certification is earned after passing a final certification exam. Every three years, CMPs are required to complete 20 continuing education hours.

You might find a CMP among:

Certified public accountants (CPAs)
Financial advisors, stockbrokers, investment advisors and insurance and annuity agents
Medicaid planning and elder law attorneys
Nursing home staff
Social workers
Geriatric care workers

A CMP’s goal is to give you the most cost-effective and legal plan that’s the best fit for your Medicaid situation. Not everyone’s Medicaid path is the same. A CMP should help you navigate your specific Medicaid strategy as well as implementing that strategy. Medicaid isn’t one-size-fits-all, and what someone else qualifies for might not be the best fit for you.

After you and your CMP have developed your tailor-made Medicaid plan, they can even submit your application on your behalf or help you with any Medicaid-related issues going forward.

One of the biggest focuses of a CMP is to plan for long-term care through Medicaid. Though the program is exceptionally complex, it’s still a government-funded program with benefits. Navigating life on your own or helping a loved one is enough work, which is why having a CMP help you throughout the process is a benefit to your planning.

Services Offered By a CMP Professional

Certified Medicaid Planners often help individuals and families understand Medicaid eligibility rules, particularly for long-term care coverage. Because Medicaid programs have strict income and asset limits, CMP professionals may assist clients in evaluating their financial situation and determining whether they meet eligibility requirements. Their guidance can help families navigate complex regulations related to Medicaid benefits.

CMP professionals frequently work with clients who are planning for potential long-term care needs. This can involve discussing options such as nursing home care, assisted living or in-home support services. By evaluating available resources and possible Medicaid coverage, a CMP may help families prepare financially for the high costs associated with long-term care.

Another service a CMP professional may offer is guidance on protecting certain assets while still meeting Medicaid eligibility requirements. This may include reviewing financial accounts, property ownership and other assets to determine how they are treated under Medicaid rules. CMP professionals often help clients understand legal and financial strategies designed to preserve assets within the limits of Medicaid regulations.

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Certified Medicaid Planner Requirements

The rules and regulations to becoming a CMP are stringent and not everyone qualifies. For instance, you’ll need either:

A Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree plus two years of full-time experience in one or more Medicaid-related fields, like law, finance, and social work. And these must’ve been done within the last six years;
A Juris Doctorate or Master’s degree in accounting, social work, or health financing;
Four years of full-time experience in one or more Medicaid-related planning fields that occurred within the last six years;
Received professional securities license or licenses for life and health insurance in at least one state, or a CFP designation, along with two years of full-time experience in one or more Medicaid-related fields within the last six years.

The minimum experience requirement includes working in at least one of the following fields:

Medicaid program administration
Law
Finance
Accounting
Care management or social work

As mentioned earlier, a CMP must be certified by the Certified Medicaid Planning Governing Board. Candidates must pass a final certification exam. Once certified, a CMP must complete 20 hours of continuing education every three years. They also pay $250 every three years to renew their certification.

Pros and Cons of Working With a CMP

When considering long-term care planning, working with a Certified Medicaid Planner can significantly impact your financial strategy and eligibility for benefits. Before making this important decision, it’s helpful to understand both the advantages and potential drawbacks.

Pros of Working With a CMP

Specialized knowledge: CMPs possess in-depth understanding of complex Medicaid regulations and eligibility requirements. Their expertise can help you understand options you might not have known existed, potentially saving thousands in out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Asset protection strategies: A CMP can develop legal strategies to protect your assets while still qualifying for Medicaid benefits. They can recommend appropriate trusts, transfers, and conversions that comply with Medicaid’s strict rules while preserving family wealth.

Application assistance: The Medicaid application process involves extensive paperwork and documentation. CMPs guide you through this process, reducing errors and improving approval chances while alleviating the stress of handling complex government forms.

Cons of Working With a CMP

Service costs: Hiring a Certified Medicaid Planner requires an investment, with fees varying based on case complexity and location. These upfront costs may be challenging for families already concerned about finances, though they often pay for themselves through benefits secured.

No guarantees: While CMPs provide valuable guidance, Medicaid eligibility decisions ultimately rest with government agencies. Even with expert help, approval isn’t guaranteed, and regulations can change during the planning process.

Timing constraints: Effective Medicaid planning often requires significant lead time before care is needed. Working with a CMP may be less beneficial in crisis situations when immediate care is required, as certain strategies require implementation years in advance.

Understanding these pros and cons can help you decide whether working with a Certified Medicaid Planner aligns with your long-term care planning needs and financial situation.

How to Find a CMP

If you’re on the hunt for a Certified Medicaid Planner, you’ll need to know how to find one. You can use the CMP Board’s CMP locator to find one near you. Put in your zip code and see which ones are available where you live. You can also use the American Council on Aging’s form to find a Medicaid planner.

A good rule is to look for someone that has the “CMP” designation in their name, title, or signature. But you’ll still need to do your due diligence since not everyone who uses the CMP designation has earned their status. If you’re unsure of someone is a CMP or want to verify they are who they say they are, you can use FINRA’s Verify a CMP tool.

You’ll put in your details as well as those of the person you want to check out. Once you submit your request, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) will get back to you within a business day to verify your request.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and family for recommendations. Since CMPs can come in many different variations, consider asking lawyers, accountants, social workers, or other care management professionals for recommendations. While you may not know someone personally, others may have someone they know who can help you out.

If you’ve used a CMP who you believe violated their ethical duties, you can submit a grievance to the CMP Board for review. Other issues, like fee disputes, don’t count towards ethical violations and should not be submitted.

Bottom Line

Going through the maze of Medicaid isn’t the easiest task, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to navigate it alone. Finding a Certified Medicaid Planner gives you the chance not only to learn what you’re eligible for, but it’s someone who can tailor a plan that’s best for you. Consider asking for help, especially with a complex system like Medicaid. It’s better to have assistance and get it right than do it yourself and risk getting it wrong. A CMP works to get it right, the first time, just for you.

Medicaid Tips

A financial advisor can help you plan for future medical expenses. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
While Medicare and Medicaid sound very similar, they’re not quite the same. Make sure you know the differences before reaching out to an expert.