To receive up to 100 days of rehabilitative treatment either in a rehab facility, nursing home, or at home, generally, you need at least 3 days inpatient hospitalization. Consequently, if you are in the hospital for two days or less, you may not qualify for this Medicare benefit and will pay privately. When calculating three days of inpatient care, consider three “midnights” and make certain the time was spent as an inpatient and not in the emergency room or “under observation.” Although, in the hospital, sleeping over, and if you’re not “admitted” you are not considered eligible. If “under observation”…
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…
We are to help you find nursing homes. However, if you want to do it by yourself, here are some steps so you can find a good nursing home and avoid a bad one. Make a List: Start by contacting the Department of Aging for a list of local nursing home facilities. Ideally, the facilities should be close to family members and friends who can visit often. Residents with frequent visitors usually get better care. Do Some Research: Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services collect data on more than 15,000 nursing homes throughout the country. Health inspection…
A Wisconsin appeals court rules that a Medicaid applicant who transferred funds to her children, who then put them in an irrevocable trust for her benefit, is ineligible for Medicaid because the trust is an available asset under state law, even though the transfer occurred 17 years before she applied for Medicaid. Oftentimes, Medicaid and Medicare can be entirely necessary programs. They also can be pretty tricky to navigate, especially if you, or a loved one, fall just above the income limits. That said, Medicare and Medicaid don’t like it when they feel you are “gaming” the system. Elder Law…
Are you (or a loved one) a Medicare beneficiary? If yes, then likely you already know that it doesn’t always cover all the costs in a time of crisis. That’s why there are Medigap policies. Unfortunately, Medigap policies might just be the next thing to get Congress’s unwanted attentions according to a recent article through the Kaiser Health News. A Medigap policy is actually a private, supplemental form of insurance to cover medical bills Medicare doesn’t cover. Medigap is especially important in a crisis, since it can kick in for hospital visits that otherwise would go uncovered. Accordingly, this can…
Have you heard the news? It seems the grand experiment failed. The Congressional supercommittee, charged with doing what the Congress at large could not do, has run out of time. And, by running out of time, failed in its mission to come up with budget cuts. What does that mean for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries? As Reuters reports, in the event the supercommittee should fail, as it has, then automatic and sweeping cuts go into effect. For Medicare, that means a two percent cut across the board, or about $123 billion over the next decade. However, it might have been…
Unfortunately, caregivers are financially burdened by their caregiving duties. While caregiving creates a financial burden, caregiving has a big impact on work and life. Most caregivers are working, either full or part-time, or have worked at some point while caregiving. It is estimated that more than 60 percent of working caregivers have made adjustments to their work schedule, such as leaving early, arriving late, or taking time off. With the current financial situation, can you afford to loose your job because you are worried about your loved one? Caregivers also report they have less time for family or friends, have…
It’s Medicare season once again, but it’s early this time. Unfortunately, many seniors just haven’t gotten the message. The open enrollment period is now from October 15 to December 7. And that’s a whole month earlier than in the past. According to a recent survey in Florida and reported through the Kaiser Health News, nearly two-thirds of seniors are unaware that Medicare enrollment is earlier this year. So, why the change? The Affordable Care Act. Along with the accelerated enrollment period, it is hoped that beneficiaries will have their Medicare cards by the start of the New Year. Customarily, late…
Baby boomers are seeking out communities with culture, activities and events and turning to college towns, urban environments and smaller towns with vibrant downtowns in lieu of continuing care retirement communities (“CCRC”) The research to date indicates that boomers desire to stay involved and participate in life during their retirement years. Consequently, CCRC’s should change their approach and what programs they offer to Boomers rather than the Depression Era and the GI generation. The boomer generation wants to live among other generations they don't necessarily want to be segregated. However, this country is not prepared to manage the existing generation…
Estate planning is never easy, if only because it means thinking about protecting your loved ones when you’re no longer around. It’s bad enough making plans to protect self-sufficient heirs who take care of themselves and an inheritance. However, it can be a real challenge when planning for heirs with special needs for a variety of personal and legal reasons. Unfortunately, as The Wall Street Journal Online recently pointed out, with the economy and politics as they are, there are new concerns to bear in mind as you plan. Both the State and federal budgets are strapped for cash and…
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