Taking care of your aging parent can be difficult, even if you live right down the road. But when you live out of state, those difficulties can grow exponentially. How can you make sure their needs are met? Preparation. Visit with a Purpose. If you can, take an extended trip so you have ample time to assess how your parents are coping. Particularly review: Hygiene Eating habit How they’re getting around Their social interaction Are they taking care of their business (bills, medications, etc.)? Make Arrangements. If you notice your parent having difficulties, consider getting them a home health aide….
Here are some important tips: You can Appeal your Discharge. If you are too sick to leave the hospital or if there is no place suitable to go, you can appeal your discharge to Medicare. The hospital should inform you of all your legal rights, appealing the discharge is one of them. Have your Power of Attorney or an advocate deal with the hospital discharge planner and make sure, if you leave the hospital that the place where you’re going you will get the right kind of care. Elder care attorneys can also assist you. Ask Your Doctor Decisions regarding…
Your doctor suggests you have a minor operation procedure. You took your doctor’s advice and you went ahead with the procedure. However, Medicare won't pay for it. What is your recourse? Appeal. Medicare covers procedures that are deemed medically necessary. "Appealing is easy and most people win so it is worth your while to challenge a Medicare denial," says the Medicare Rights Center, a national nonprofit organization. The denial of coverage may be due, for example, to a simple coding error in your doctor's office. People have a strong chance of winning their Medicare appeal. According to Center, 80 percent…
To be eligible for hospice a physician must certify the patient to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less and treatment for a cure is no longer provided. The focus for the patient has changed to supportive care and quality of remaining life. Hospice is paid for by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit or personal funds. Here are the conditions that apply for Medicare Hospice Benefits: You are eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Your doctor and the hospice medical director certify that you’re terminally ill and have 6 months or less…
Some VA Adjudicators mistakenly deny the room and board portions of the Assisted Living Facility bill under the pretense they are not medical expenses.
Frederick, MD 
301-663-9230
