Gifting Might Raise a Medicaid Dilemma During the Holidays
We have an expression in our office that the people who wrote the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act that affects Medicaid approvals never heard of Christmas. The reason is simple. With a few exceptions, this federal law penalizes benefits for people who gave to their children or, for that matter, to neighbors or friends or charity […]
Continue readingMovies Shed Light on Senior Life Issues
Anyone who has known me for awhile knows my keen interest in movies. So it should come as no surprise that my curiosity was piqued by a few movies released recently that hit close to home on senior subjects. This happened even though many of the actors were middle aged or younger. If you hurry, […]
Continue readingVulnerable Beneficiaries Could Benefit From a Letter of Intent
Some years ago, when a Missouri elder law attorney, Reginald Turnbull, presented on Letters of Intent to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, he gave me reason to think “what a great idea for supplemental needs trusts for disabled children.” Later I thought, this idea can be expanded to include minor children who are […]
Continue readingPennsylvania Medicaid Audits Raise Concern
After a Medicaid nursing home application has been granted and Medicaid is safely in place to cover the cost of care for a loved one, one would think that financial issues have been resolved and there is no more need for vigilance. That may not be true especially under recent policy in Pennsylvania. Medicaid audits […]
Continue readingUse Thanksgiving Holidays to Update Care Plans
About a week ago, a friend of mine, Karen Wolfrom, a Geriatric Care Manager, in her column on Caregiving in the Daily Local News, responded to a reader’s question regarding helping an elderly aunt who lives in a personal care home to participate with family during the Thanksgiving holidays. Karen’s suggestions were excellent and revolved […]
Continue readingMaking Sense of the Illogic of the Medicaid Spenddown
For most people dealing with nursing home care for the first time, the Medicaid spenddown will be the most illogical financial exercise they have ever encountered. It does not make sense to most financial planners or investment advisers and, frankly, advice given during this time by professionals who are not deeply involved in the field […]
Continue readingRepublican Tax Plans Raise Questions for the Future
Maybe I have a certain perspective regarding taxes as a small business owner running a suburban law practice, or maybe it is because I represent seniors who may need to stretch their dollars, or it could be just the visualization of a sign I see every time I cross the border into the State of […]
Continue reading‘Get Oranized & Get Things Done!’ – a Commentary
Lately and maybe unfortunately, it seems that what we receive through the U.S. Postal Service is solicitations and bills. Correspondence often is by e-mail or text messages and telephones do everything but make dinner, although that might be in the offing. Anyway, one such recent solicitation by mail for a continuing education program – something […]
Continue readingSteve Jobs Gives Lessons on Leaving a Legacy
Last week, on October 5, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple computers, PIXAR, and so much more, a man who has been compared to a modern day Thomas Edison, died at the age of 56. While the message is somber, the photographs and u-tube images that appeared in the past week or so since his […]
Continue readingAttorney Advocate Group Works Toward Extending Medicare
Anyone on Medicare who leaves the hospital and goes to a nursing home or rehabilitation facility for therapy might inquire about cost. While the rule is that Medicare and their private health insurance may pay “up to” 100 days, most patients do not receive 100 days. This shorter time cut-off affects both cost and care. […]
Continue readingReverse Mortgages May Not Be Positive Choice for Long Term Care
As seniors and their families struggle to deal with the cost of long term care, reverse mortgages have become an ongoing subject for discussion. While seen by some as a convenient source of ready cash, this strategy can come with pitfalls that must be recognized in advance. The most consistent problems I see concern using […]
Continue readingStudy Confirms Staying Active Is Hedge Against Alzheimers
In the continuing search for preventives and cures for Alzheimer’s disease, some of the most positive results may come with life style changes that are readily available. In the category of directives like “eat your vegetables and exercise daily,” come scientific findings now that confirm that simple steps really do seem to make a dramatic […]
Continue readingThoughts on Irene and Vacation
While sitting in the dark last Saturday evening with my daughter, an old classic song by Huddie Ledbetter later popularized by Willie Nelson and others came to mind. The song, “Good Night, Irene” at one point encouraged listeners to stay home with family. Our storm, Hurricane Irene, that arrived in Pennsylvania on Saturday and continued […]
Continue readingUsing Medicare’s hospice benefit to your advantage
Several years ago, a client of mine called with noticeable relief in her voice. Her husband, a longtime sufferer of Alzheimer’s disease now in the late stages, was being cared for by her at their home and she had reached the point of exasperation. Based on his income, they did not qualify for Medicaid at-home […]
Continue readingRevocable vs. irrevocable trusts — know the difference
In working with Medicaid structuring and estate planning, the subject of trusts and their uses often arises. Trusts are not an easy subject to understand. There are different kinds and the laws and regulations keep changing. Even when we have the right answers, Congress or a state legislature or a court decision may disrupt everything […]
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