Financial Security Designs

Tony is an expert in getting people set up on Medi-Cal quickly and easily.

Tony Bevin at Financial Security Designs has been a valuable resource to our team in helping clients with Medi-Cal and Veteran Benefits.

His service is high quality and professional, and he is always knowledgeable about the latest regulations affecting these benefits – which is so important. I highly recommend Tony.

Thanks so much for your many years of service. It was such a comfort and relief for me to know you had the expertise to identify and assemble all the paperwork required and get it through the proper channels of the welfare department.

Without this huge benefit I could now be “wiped out” financially.

Tony helped us figure out how to plan ahead for the unknown(s). Answered our many questions. He’s kind, knowledgeable, and patient.

My mother-in-law was able to live independently years longer with support from family and hired caregivers. She progressively declined and was hospitalized for exacerbation of chronic health issues. She was stabilized and transferred to a SNF(skilled nursing facility) for physical therapy/medical observation to optimize her recovery. The staff gave notice she was ready for discharge after a few weeks; she was obviously no longer safe living alone and would require 24 hr. long-term care – which we sadly could not provide or pay for.

She liked the nursing home a lot. We had little time for decisions and had to act quickly for her to be able to stay. The case manager sensed we were at a standstill; it is difficult to know the right thing to do for your loved one to get the best care available. Fortunately, she gave us the phone number of Tony Bevin, a Medi-Cal/VA Benefits consultant for Financial Security Designs, who could help us sort out our options, if any. He does not work for the SNF, but works with Medi-Cal/VA and related organizations to assess initial eligibility and facilitate your application for Medi-Cal, if that’s what you need. He may offer other recommendations as every situation is not the same.

There is social work staff in the SNF/Medi-Cal office that can simply help you fill out an application at no cost, but final placement choices likely will be limited and the time frame much longer; they do not assist with finances/SNF admission forms etc, which is very important to set aside for future planning, and to avoid Medi-Cal contacting you months later for inaccuracies/red tape involving the transition/finances at the SNF etc. You should get a free, no obligation consult from a professional like Tony even if you think the patient does not qualify; many do qualify.

We called Tony, reached him right away, and he went over some general information about the process of transition/discharge from the SNF for long term placement including cost for the service/time frames we were looking at, etc. He would need to meet with us ASAP and there was no cost or obligation for the consult – he even agreed to come to our house the next day as we needed to apply ASAP. The application process is daunting for most, as is interpreting exactly what information/documents they are really asking for—not just what is in the standard instructions on the application—and when. There are strict time restraints at intervals, let alone how they mesh with the SNF’s Medicare mandates/timing of discharge and patient’s rights/obligations at SNF while awaiting approval.

Tony filled out the application for us; we had to provide him with documents and information, which allowed us to concentrate on Mom and other needs like moving her out of her apartment, paying her bills, etc. Tony is very available for direction/questions during and after the process. Mom was approved in 8 weeks, a lot faster than expected! But it all depends on what medical situation, documents you need and how fast they can be obtained, holidays (we had two major ones) etc.

I highly recommend Tony Bevin from our recent experience. The services provided were invaluable. He has many years’ experience in the field, very knowledgeable, down to business to get your application approved ASAP, always available, and pleasant! Save yourself unnecessary stress and a potentially long and drawn out application process over months. It appeared pricey at first, but with all the allowances and mandated spend down of modest assets, and assurance if Medi-Cal has questions in the future it will be addressed, it was well worth it for Mom to have the best outcome and care as possible.

Thank you for all your help with my husband, Ray’s Medi-Cal claim. Your patience and “can do” attitude was very comforting in such a stressful situation.

I want you to know that I will keep you in mind for any future recommendations.

A few years ago, my mother had a stroke that left her disabled. I imagine this situation occurs often but for us it was more than devastating and we were certainly not prepared.

Almost immediately after being referred to Tony Bevin at Financial Security Designs, what began as a nightmare became just a process. His professionalism, knowledge and genuine concern for my mother was apparent right from the beginning.

His expertise and willingness to do whatever was necessary to solve some of the more complex problems we had, was extraordinary.

My mother recently passed but the guidance provided by Tony Bevin on her Medi-Cal issues and other challenges made us trust him like family. If I trust him like family, you can also. I highly recommend Tony Bevin and his team.

Back in 2009, my father lost his vision (legally blind to California standards). I moved him into my house and enrolled him into the San Diego Center for the Blind and he thrived. Then in March of 2017, at the age of 79, he required a 4-way bypass. He came out a lot weaker than any of us anticipated but he did good living with me (and now my adult son that graduated from college). Three generations under one roof. I have to admit, it was one of the greatest experiences of our lives. After five admissions to the hospital in a six month period, we came to the realization that he required more help than my son and I could provide (7-day a week, 24-hour a day).

Living in California, I thought it would be easy to apply for Medi-Cal to supplement his Social Security, but was I wrong. We applied for Medi-Cal in July 2016. He was denied benefits for reasons still unknown. Feeling helpless and worried that my father wasn’t going to get the care that he needed and deserved, I reached out to a friend. She suggested that I contact Financial Security Designs (FSD), a company that specializes in getting the benefits that a California resident is entitled to.

I contacted FSD and met with Tony Bevin mid-August 2019. From the first time I met with Tony, he was able to work through the red tape and endless pitfalls that the county throws into the mix. At one point while working with Tony, my father was denied benefits a second time because they didn’t have documentation that he owned cemetery space (it was discovered that the county had the deed of trust after all, and for some reason decided it was in their best interest to deny the claim). Another reason for the denial was that they needed the final statement from a savings account that was closed fifteen years ago.

Tony knows the laws, the rules and how to deal with the people at the county that are, let’s just say, less than helpful. I didn’t have to deal with the county people, Tony took care of everything. The county continued to play games, but Tony knew the rules of the game better than they did.

Because of FSD and Tony, my father was approved for Medi-Cal and was placed into a wonderful Skilled Nursing Facility. He gained weight, made friends and was living rather than just “existing.” There was a spark in his eyes that I haven’t seen in a very long time.

My father passed away in May 2020, but because of FSD and Tony, the last eight months of his life were wonderful. I don’t want to think about what his last few months would have been like if we wouldn’t have received the help from FSD.

Tony’s expertise is invaluable in navigating the Medi-Cal process. He assisted qualifying my elderly parents with his knowledge and professionalism in a timely manner.

He continues to help qualify them annually and I would be lost without his guidance. He is worth his weight in gold. Thank you, Tony!

Tony Bevin is the person to go if you’re not sure how to get your loved one qualified for Medi-Cal! He’s very patient, kind and will take plenty of time to answer all of your questions.

We were so scared, confused about what to do and he guided us in the right direction. Highly, highly recommend him to anyone!!

Thanks again Tony, you’re a light in a scary day for us. Made us smile when we felt like crying.

“Tony’s expertise is invaluable navigating the Medi-Cal process. He helped in qualifying my elderly parents with his knowledge and professionalism.”

“Thank you for all your help with my husband Ray’s Medi-Cal claim. Your patience and “can do” attitude were very comforting in such a stressful situation.”

“Extremely helpful. We were referred to this company during a time of great distress. They figured out what to do to make sure my father’s care was covered. Recommend without reservation.”