Your Important Documents and How to Organize Them

We can all benefit from a little organization, right? You are now preparing for a Medicaid application and organization is essential!

The following is a list of information you should have in writing.

PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR YOU/YOUR SPOUSE

• Location of: birth certificates; marriage certificate; social security cards; divorce decrees; naturalization and adoption papers
• Names and addresses of children (or location of death certificates, if any of your children or your spouse is deceased)
• Education and military records
• List of employers and dates of employment
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of close friends and relatives
• Location of Wills and Trusts (you do not need to disclose contents)
• Durable Powers of Attorney, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care, Living Wills, Funeral Plans

• Names, addresses and phone numbers for doctors, pharmacists, emergency services and hospitals
• Health Charts: medical conditions; allergies, dates and descriptions of past illnesses, operations and immunizations
• Medicare and Medicaid information
• Medicare EOMB's (Explanation of Medical Benefits)

FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR YOU/YOUR SPOUSE

• Real estate deeds, mortgages, titles, notes
• Social Security earnings records and information
• Sources of income, pensions, interest, dividends, etc.
• Investments: Certificates of Deposit; Stock Certificates; Bonds; Notes; Savings Bonds
• Insurance policies: Life; Accident; Health; Auto; Property
• Medical expense records
• Names, addresses and phone numbers for lawyers and financial advisors
• Bank accounts - numbers and addresses: checking; savings; credit unions
• Location of safety deposit box and key (including list of contents)
• Copies of federal, state and local income tax returns (last 6 years)
• Property tax statements
• Loans owed and status
• Automotive titles, registrations, bills of sale
• Business and partnership agreements
• Liabilities: what is owed, to whom, when
• Credit cards and charge accounts (names and numbers)
• Location and inventory of personal, valued items