Elder Law & Estate Planning News
Medicaid’s Home Care Waivers Can Help You Avoid a Nursing Home, But the Line May Be Long
The federal government can grant “waivers” to states allowing them to expand Medicaid to include home and community-based services. The downside is that states can limit home care and the wait can be long.
How Do I File for a Guardianship?
In most states, anyone interested in the well-being of an individual who may be incapacitated – called the “proposed ward” — can request a guardianship for that person.
Ombudsmen: Front-Line Advocates for Nursing Home Residents
If you are experiencing problems with your nursing home that can’t be resolved within the nursing home, your next step is to contact the local ombudsman assigned to the nursing home.
Medicare Would Cover Dental, Vision, and Hearing Under Senate Democrats’ Spending Plan
The Senate Democrats’ proposal for a $3.5 trillion spending plan includes expanding Medicare to provide dental, vision, and hearing benefits. The proposal is now being negotiated in Congress.
Britney Spears Case Puts Renewed Focus on Guardianships and Less Restrictive Alternatives
Britney Spears’s struggle to regain control over her business and personal life shines a spotlight on legal guardianship and alternatives that involve less loss of control over one’s life.
Supreme Court to Hear Case That Could Increase the Bite That Medicaid Takes Out of Settlements
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that has the potential to affect anyone who receives government assistance with their medical care following a disabling injury that results in a lawsuit.
How Much Money Can You Have and Still Qualify for Medicaid?
In order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits a nursing home resident may have no more than $2,000 in “countable” assets (the figure may be somewhat higher in some states).
Thousands of Elderly and Disabled SSI Recipients Accused of Owning Property That Isn’t Theirs
Thousands of SSI recipients have been falsely accused of owning real estate because of the Social Security Administration’s reliance on a private database that is “riddled with errors,” according to a new report.
How You Can End Up in Medicare’s Donut Hole, and How You Get Out
Medicare prescription drug plans can have a coverage gap—called the “donut hole”–which limits how much Medicare will pay for your drugs until you pay a certain amount out of pocket.
Dual Eligibility: How Qualifying for Both Medicare and Medicaid Can Help With Costs
Qualifying for Medicare hardly means free health care — there are still premiums and deductibles. However, people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligibility”) receive help paying their out-of-pocket costs.
The Need for Medicaid Planning
One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial price. Careful planning can help ease the financial burden.
Non-Borrowing Spouses of Reverse Mortgage Holders Receive Expanded Protections
The government has expanded access to protections for spouses of reverse mortgage holders who are not named in the loan document, allowing more such spouses the ability to stay in their home if the borrowing spouse dies or moves to a care facility.
Saying Medicaid Estate Recovery Keeps Families in Poverty, Advocacy Groups Call for Abolishing It
Elder advocacy groups are calling for the elimination of Medicaid estate recovery after a congressional advisory commission concluded the practice recoups a tiny percentage of Medicaid spending while contributing to generational poverty and inequity.
President Biden Proposes Billions in Increased Funding for Home Health Care
President Biden has introduced a plan to spend $400 billion over eight years on home and community-based care for the elderly and people with disabilities. The money would go to expand access to care and support higher-paying caregiving jobs.
Can Life Insurance Affect Your Medicaid Eligibility?
When applying for Medicaid, many people often forget about life insurance. But depending on the type of life insurance and the value of the policy, it can count as an asset.