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- Elder Law
On Medicare? What You’ll Pay for Now That the PHE Has Ended
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency offically ended in May 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the PHE will now expire.
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency offically ended in May 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the PHE will now expire.
In a major win for nursing home residents and their families, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right to sue government-run nursing homes under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
More than 1.1 million individuals live in about 15,000 nursing homes nationwide, yet as many as one in nine of these facilities have not had an annual inspection in the past two years.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that it would begin covering new Alzheimer's treatments that receive approval from the FDA.
For those who wish to maintain their independence and continue living at home as they grow older, taking certain steps to protect their physical, mental, and financial welfare is essential.
For adults who rely on Medicaid, a bill recently passed by the House may mean holding a job would become necessary to continue accessing benefits.
A new AARP analysis gives a glimpse into the experiences of family caregivers and offers recommendations on policies and practices that policymakers should consider enacting or enhancing in support of caregivers nationwide.
Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives.
Join Attorney James Benedek as he guides you through what you need to know about the Estate Administration process when...
Join Attorney Ben Urso as he discusses all of the special considerations for a single individual when planning to pay...
Join attorney Colleen Bratkovich and guest speaker, Dan Bekavac from Bekavac Funeral Home, for a discussion of the different types...
Attorney Carl Zacharia, licensed in both PA and Florida, will discuss all of the important considerations when contemplating a declaration...
Join attorney Justin Ellis as he discusses why it is so important to have an elder-focused estate plan that memorializes...
Join Attorney Christine Brown Murphy for an in depth discussion about how we can proactively utilize trusts and gifting strategies...
It has been a tumultuous few years. However, with the new year upon us, there are some silver linings - in particular for seniors. Here are five reasons for seniors to celebrate in 2023.
The Senate and House have cleared the passage of a year-end $1.7 trillion appropriations bill that will benefit older adults on a number of fronts.
Although Medicaid and Medicare are both public health insurance programs, they have essential differences.
Recent findings show an information gap among Medicaid recipients regarding the need to re-enroll for benefits after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.
A diagnosis of dementia, a category of diseases affecting memory and thinking that includes Alzheimer’s disease, can feel overwhelming and...
A new study reveals that 60 percent of family members who were taking care of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease exhibited symptoms of depression that worsened over time
AginginPlace.org provides a freely available, medically reviewed guide on preventing falls, with lifestyle, mobility, and home improvement recommendations to help you avoid falls, maintain independence, and assuage any fears you may have of falling.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert that scammers offering free COVID-19 tests have been targeting Medicare recipients online, by phone, and through television advertisements.
Nursing home evictions, or involuntary discharges or transfers, disrupt the lives of residents, leading to homelessness, separation from familial support systems, and loss of care. As federal law covers all federally funded nursing home residents, nursing home evictions are legal only in particular instances.
Medicaid Pending status means that your application or your parent’s application has not yet been approved or denied. Essentially, your application is in limbo.
If you need a lot of cash on hand upon retirement, Social Security offers a lump-sum payment option that’s worth six months of retroactive benefits. However, it comes at a cost. It is important to understand the details before agreeing to the payment.
In an alarming number of cases, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying coverage for medical services that would be covered under original Medicare, according to a federal investigation.
Leaving a nursing home to return home is a goal for many residents and their families, but it requires careful consideration. While returning home is a good move for some, it won't work for everyone.
If you apply for long-term care assistance through Medicaid and your application is denied, the situation may seem hopeless. The good news is that you can appeal the decision.
When loved ones pass away, there are lots of considerations, including what happens to their Social Security. The decedent’s payments need to be stopped, but survivor’s benefits may be available to the spouse or, in certain cases, children.
While declining COVID-19 cases are good news, the end of the pandemic could mean millions of Medicaid recipients will lose their coverage. Federal law has prevented states from terminating Medicaid benefits while the coronavirus health emergency is in place.
A federal court has ruled that hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who were switched from inpatient to observation status can appeal the decision, making it easier for them to receive coverage for subsequent nursing home care.
If a loved one is experiencing memory loss or suddenly making poor decisions, you may want the court to appoint a guardian, which requires a declaration of incompetence.
Carl Zacharia discusses the 10 biggest mistakes that people make with regard to Estate Planning. This webinar will cover Powers...
Anyone who gifted assets within five years of applying for Medicaid may be subject to a penalty period, but that penalty can be reduced or eliminated if the assets are returned.
Vaccines can become less effective over time. Even individuals fully vaccinated as children may need to update their immunizations. Medicare Parts B and D offer vaccination coverage.
When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level care typically provided in a nursing home.
Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5 percent, or $21.60, from $148.50 to $170.10 a month.
Join attorney Christine Brown Murphy for a mini-webinar where she will explain the Irrevocable Trust and discuss how we can...
Join attorney Christine Brown Murphy for a mini webinar as she addresses the many important issues involved when looking to...
Individuals who are researching nursing homes can now see staff and resident vaccination rates along with other quality and safety measure information at Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website. The official Medicare website includes a nursing home rating system. Nursing Home Compare...
Every year during Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, Medicare gives beneficiaries a window of opportunity to shop around and determine if their current Medicare plan is still the best one for them.
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.
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.
Attorney Justin Ellis discusses why it is so important to make sure that your estate planning, health care and long...
Attorney Ben Urso discusses real estate issues to consider when planning to pay for long term care, including property assessments,...
Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement.
As COVID-19 cases start to rise again due to the highly contagious Delta variant, nursing homes are considering requiring staff members to be vaccinated. Only 59 percent of nursing home staff are partially or fully vaccinated nationwide, and the percentages are much lower in some states.
Join attorney Colleen Bratkovich as she discusses which Long Term Care costs are covered by Medicare as well as the...
Join attorney Christine Brown Murphy for a mini-webinar where she will discuss why it is so important to work with...
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.
Medicaid long-term care benefits traditionally pay mainly for nursing home care, but the federal government can grant “waivers” to states allowing them to expand Medicaid to include home and community-based services. The downside is that receiving care in a nursing home is an entitlement, while getting care at home is not.
Attorney Christine Brown Murphy outlines strategies to Protect the Family Home.
Attorney Christine Brown Murphy discusses the basics of creating an Estate Plan, including the most important document that you need.
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.
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.
Attorney Ben Urso explains the differences between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust and related considerations when planning for...
Attorney Carl Zacharia warns of failing to plan for unforeseen events when planning for long term care.
Join attorney Colleen Bratkovich as she discusses the ins and outs of employing a family caregiver and important considerations when...
Attorney Ben Urso discuss essential estate planning documents and why they are so important when planning to pay for long...
Justin Ellis discusses the Estate Planning process beginning with securing quality Estate Planning documents. He explains what a guardianship is...
Join attorney Colleen Bratkovich as she explains what a supplemental trust is and why you may need to have one...
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance on whether families can visit loved ones in nursing homes. The guidance allows indoor visitation even when the resident has not been vaccinated.
The one-year deadline for nursing home residents on Medicaid to spend down their first round of stimulus checks is here, but they may have a little extra time.
President Biden has signed the latest COVID-19 relief bill, which in addition to authorizing stimulus checks, funding vaccine distribution, and extending unemployment benefits, also provides assistance to seniors in a number of ways.
Parents and other family members who want to pass on assets during their lifetimes may be tempted to gift the assets. Although setting up an irrevocable trust lacks the simplicity of giving a gift, it may be a better way to preserve assets for the future.
Join attorney Christine Brown Murphy for a mini-webinar where she discusses pre-planning for long term care by utilizing an irrevocable...
Join attorney Colleen Bratkovich to learn about the available monetary, health care and other valuable VA benefits that you or...
Join attorney Christine Brown Murphy for this mini-webinar where she talks about strategies for protecting your assets and how to...
Long-term care insurance prices have suddenly skyrocketed by as much as 66 percent in one year, according to the 2021 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index, an annual report from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, an industry group. The price increases apply to couples and single individuals.
Long-term care is the care you need if you can’t perform daily activities on your own for an extended period of time. There are a number of different ways that this kind of care can be provided.
Attorney Justin Ellis discusses the latest round of stimulus checks and the rules concerning long term care facilities.
Attorneys Colleen Bratkovich and Jennifer Derby explain the Estate Administration and Probate process in Pennsylvania and share important information that...
Buying long-term care insurance is one way to protect against the high cost of long-term care. However, this type of insurance may not be for everyone, so consider all your options.
COVID vaccines are starting to roll out to nursing homes across the country, signaling the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Once your loved one has had both doses of the vaccine, you may be able to visit, but precautions are still necessary.
The holidays are a time when families come together to celebrate the season. And while this year might look a...
As Medicare premiums rise, a Medicare Advantage plan can seem like an attractive option. But if you are considering switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to know what to look for.
If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may want to consider withdrawing money from your retirement account while you still can. The special exemption allowing early withdrawals without a penalty ends soon.
Attorney Colleen Bratkovich and Lynn Doehring, President of Bridge Insurance Group, share information at the start of Medicare Open Enrollment...
Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. Now is the time to start shopping around to see whether your current choices are still the best ones for you.
Medicare beneficiaries who qualified for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage may be eligible for an additional 100 days of coverage. Whether beneficiaries can actually get the extended coverage is another question.
Husbands usually don’t take survivor’s benefits into account when claiming benefits, according to a recent study, meaning that many widows will needlessly experience a significant drop in income.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced nursing homes to place a number of restrictions on their residents. These constraints are having the unintended consequence of making it more difficult for nursing home residents to vote.
Talking about estate planning is a difficult, emotional topic but it’s essential for every family. These eight tips can help you discuss the hard topics thoroughly and respectfully and prepare you for the road ahead.
The coronavirus pandemic is having a profound effect on the current U.S. economy, and it may have a detrimental effect on Social Security’s long-term financial situation.
Raising the minimum wage by as little as 10 percent would significantly improve the safety and health of nursing home residents, according to new research.