WHAT IS THE 5-YEAR LOOK-BACK? In the past a senior citizen with assets would have been able to give financial gifts to his children and grandchildren and not worry about those gifts disqualifying him for Medicaid. Over the years, the government took steps to prevent those requiring nursing home services from giving away their assets [...]
DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005 Both the federal government and state governments have made changes to Medicaid eligibility requirements and restrictions over the years. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) significantly changed the rules governing the treatment of asset transfers and homes of nursing home residents by creating a five-year “look-back period.” Any transfers or gifts [...]
TEACHING COMPASSIONATE CARE The UC San Diego Medical School is training its graduates to provide care beyond good technical and clinical skills. Doctors must be able to relate to anyone who walks or is carried in the door, whether it is a 90-year-old grandmother or a teenage drug addict. They learn to accept involvement in [...]
WHAT IS MEDIGAP (OR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE)? Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans, also known as Medigap, cover some of the hospital and medical costs (the gaps) not covered by Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare). They are offered by private insurance companies. The government dictates the actual plan coverage, so the benefits are standardized. Underwriting is [...]
NOTARIES PROTECT THE ELDERLY Last week I had to have some documents notarized. It was quick and easy. At the time it did not occur to me what an important role the notary can play in protecting vulnerable seniors. In the following short video, Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman makes a key point that [...]
MEDICARE QUESTIONS I probably get more questions that start with “Does Medicare cover…?” than anything else. Here is a list of the most common categories with short answers for each. MORE MEDICARE INFORMATION As always, you need to know what kind of Medicare coverage you have. There are caveats, co-payments, and conditions for almost every [...]
AN AGENCY THAT CARES FOR AND ABOUT ITS CAREGIVERS Apple Care & Companion is a non-medical homecare agency that serves Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall and Tarrant counties in North Texas. They are licensed through the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) in the State of Texas. There are many caregiving agencies out there, but [...]
I admit to being old enough to remember when doctors actually made house calls. Insurance, costs and culture pretty much ended that practice several decades ago. But guess what’s coming back? Healthcare costs in recent years have soared far beyond what most had anticipated, particularly when combined with the diminished government funding of Medicare and [...]
Be aware that www.MyMedicare.com is not the same as www.MyMedicare.gov. Both sites can be useful, but make sure you know the difference. www.MyMedicare.com MyMedicare.com (also, www.My Medicare.com) is a private site that provides visitors with information regarding medicare plans, medicare eligibility, and other resources pertaining to medicare. One of the primary purposes of the site [...]
REVIEW HOSPITAL BILLS Everyone who has ever reviewed a hospital bill has surely shared the same degree of shock when reviewing the charges for a hospital stay. Even brief visits create huge billings for all the supplies, tests, equipment used, TV watched, phone calls made…everything, and possibly more. And when some of the [...]
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