Services

We provide person-centered benefits counseling. Our goal is to help clients meet their needs through advocacy, coaching, and education rooted in policy.

This allows us to prevent, reduce, remove, and troubleshoot the challenges that can arise when navigating one or multiple benefits.

Legal disclaimer: We do not provide legal services. Any advice, information, or direction provided does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, please consult with an attorney.

Core Services

We help you obtain, maintain, regain, or transition from benefits through:

Benefits Planning

We carefully craft a person-centered plan around your needs and goals.

Benefits Counseling

We provide the information you need to better understand the process related to your goals and coach you on the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

Advocacy

We take action on your behalf and make things happen!

Learn more about our process

Benefits We Assist With

We specialize in the following benefit areas, providing expert guidance through every stage of the process.

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  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) & SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) We help you secure and maintain your federal disability payments.

    • Application Strategy: Developing a high-quality initial application to maximize your chances of approval and reduce the need for lengthy appeals.

    • Employment & Benefits: Expert analysis on how returning to work or increasing your earnings will affect your SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, or Medicare.

    • Troubleshooting: Assistance with overpayments, benefit withholding, reinstatement of suspended benefits, and other administrative hurdles.

    • Other Benefits: Strategize ways to ensure your SSA benefits don’t negatively impact your Medicaid eligibility.

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  • Virginia Cardinal Care, including Fee-For-Service Medicaid and coverage through an MCO (such as Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Sentara, and United)

    • Eligibility for most Medicaid groups: Develop both short and long-term plans around gaining, maintaining, or regaining eligibility

    • Appeals: related to initial eligibility, authorization for covered services, and more (see section on Appeals below)

    • Transitions: Develop a plan for a smooth transition from one group to another

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  • We specialize in helping both disabled and non-disabled individuals access in-home personal care and facility-based support.

    • CCC Plus Waiver

      • Designed for individuals with complex medical needs or those who experience challenges with physical functioning and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

      • Focuses on providing the necessary in-home care to maintain independence and offers other benefits to meet additional needs (such as home or vehicle modifications).

    • Intellectual and Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers

      • Designed to meet the variety of needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

      • Guidance on the three types of DD waivers (Building Independence, Family & Individual Support, and Community Living) and the many benefits.

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  • Dual-Eligibility For Virginians navigating the intersection of state and federal healthcare.

    • Medicaid & Medicare Coordination: Helping "Dual-Eligibles" navigate Dual Special Need Plans (D-SNPs) and payment assistance through Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

    • Prescription Assistance: Accessing Low-Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help) for medication costs.

QUESTIONS?

Visit Our FAQ Page

LEARN MORE

Our Process

STEP ONE

Assess

  • After the consultation, we send intake forms and request additional information that will allow us to better serve your needs and goals

  • We assess the relevant factors related to your needs and goals (e.g. eligibility, an appeal, examine options and paths for future eligibility, etc.)

    We account for factors and challenges that may arise during the process

  • After considering the various elements that impact your goals and needs, we examine the relevant benefits policies and determine potential paths for action

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STEP TWO

Plan

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  • Charting the way: We determine the best paths to achieve your needs and goals.

    Foresight: we devise ways to address potential roadblocks and give alternative options and back-up plans.

    Maximize: we develop solid strategies to make sure you get the most out of what you are entitled to.

STEP THREE

Execute (+ Adapt)

    • Provide information relevant to your needs and goals so you can make informed decisions

    • Educate you on the important aspects of the benefit(s) program(s) and additional and resources

    • Coach you on the necessary skills and steps to reach your goals

    • Improve your ability to navigate benefits

    • We can communicate and/or act on your behalf with agencies (governmental and otherwise) to get things done more efficiently and with less stress to our clients. 

    • Note: we offer non-legal representation for a variety of circumstances, including appeals. For legal representation, consult an attorney.

  • When government or private entities fail to respect your rights, we hold them accountable to make sure you get what you are entitled to.

    For example, we can file complaints and grievances with the agencies that have oversight capacities regarding the challenges you are dealing with.

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Medicaid Appeals

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Navigating eligibility issues and denials or reductions in benefits requires a deep understanding of state and federal policy.

We provide specialized support for:

  • Medicaid Health Insurance Denials/Reductions/Change Appeals:

    Representing you in internal appeals with insurance providers when coverage is denied or modified. This includes any issues related to Medicaid/DMAS and the following Medicaid plans: Anthem, Aetna, Sentara, Humana, and United HealthCare.

    Service Disputes: Fighting against termination of coverage or the denial of specific medical services.

  • Waiver & LTSS Challenges:

    Navigating the complexities of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), including the CCC Plus Waiver and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers, and in-home care through such waivers. This includes reductions in care hours, service authorization issues, and more.

  • Agency Actions:

    Troubleshooting and appealing decisions related to eligiblity (and other issues) made by the local or state Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

  • CSB Coordination

    Assistance with decisions or actions involving your local Community Service Board (CSB) related to DD waivers.

Who, Where, and How we Serve

Who We Serve

  • All Ages: We provide support for children (0-18), adults (18-64), and older adults (65+).

  • Disability Status: Individuals with physical, developmental, or psychological disabilities.

  • Emerging Needs: Those who are becoming disabled, are borderline disabled, or require in-home care.

  • Non-Disabled Eligibility: Individuals who may qualify for or are already enrolled in Medicaid and/or Medicare.

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Where We Serve

  • Virginia (All Localities): Comprehensive support for Medicaid, LTSS/Waivers, Medicaid+Medicare Dual-Eligibility, and Appeals.

  • Nationwide: Specialized assistance for SSI and SSDI (Social Security Disability) across all 50 states.

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How We Meet

  • Virtual-First Communication: We connect with clients via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, phone calls, email, and text to ensure accessibility.

  • Flexible Consultations: All initial meetings and follow-ups are conducted virtually or by phone.

  • Richmond-Specific Support: In-person services are available upon request for Richmond City DSS and Richmond DMAS/Medicaid (including in-person appeals).

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  • "After five months of hard work from Ryan, I won my appeal. Had I not won this appeal, I would’ve had to quit my full-time job, sell my home, and move back in with my mother in order to reestablish needed benefits. I could not have done this without Ryan’s expertise, industriousness, and relentlessness. Thanks to him, I am receiving the life-saving care I need every day and living a full, independent life."

    Josh S.

  • "I was recommended Ryan to assist me with getting my son back onto Medicaid after he was improperly dropped. My son Matt is paraplegic with a traumatic brain injury. Ryan was able to help steer me through the maze of government regulation to get back my son’s Medicaid approval. I strongly recommend Ryan, he is a person of integrity."

    Joe K. DeShazo III