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Top Ten Reasons for Seniors to be Thankful this Year

This week, and every day, we should take time to be thankful for the blessings we have.  On Thanksgiving, think about the people and things in your own life such as your family, friends, and loved ones, that make you thankful!  Below are some recent legal news topics that make us and many of our clients thankful:

  1. President Obama’s re-election means Medicaid – the social safety net that pays for 70% of Americans in nursing homes — will likely be preserved for at least for the next four years. Read more.
  2. Most of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was upheld by the Supreme Court. This year, the ACA has already helped more than 18 million people with original Medicare get at least one preventive service at no cost to them. Read more.
  3. It is projected that due to the ACA, people with Medicare will save $5,000 to $18,000 through 2022, HHS Reports. The ACA has already saved Americans $2.1 billion on health insurance premiums, new report reveals.
  4. The ACA provides 45 million women with preventive health care. Read more.
  5. Medicare coverage of short-term rehabilitation in a nursing home underwent a major policy change, resulting in beneficiaries with chronic conditions no longer needing to show ongoing improvement to maintain Medicare coverage. Read more. 
  6. The Social Security Administration (SSA) enacted a program called “Extra Help” for some Medicare beneficiaries. Depending on an individual or couple’s assets and income level, he/she/they could qualify for extra help under Social Security. Read this posting.
  7. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that $12.5 million in awards funded by the Affordable Care Act and the Older Americans Act will be made to local Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) to help older Americans and people with disabilities stay independent and receive long-term services and supports in their own homes. ADRCs will be in all 50 states. Read more.
  8. New rules were issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services give same-sex partners more hospital visiting rights.  The rules will also make it easier for partners to make medical decisions on behalf of their loved ones. Read more.
  9. There was no increase in the Medicare prescription drug premium for 2012. The same will hold true for 2013, which will be the third straight year of no increase – HHS announces.
  10. HHS announced $128.6 million of new grants to expand community health centers under the ACA.  This will serve 1.2 million more patients and create over 5,000 jobs. Read more.

At Farr Law Firm, P.C., we are thankful for our clients, friends, and families.  To show our gratitude, mention this posting and receive 20% off all services until the end of November 2012.

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About Evan H Farr, CELA, CAP

Evan H. Farr is a 4-time Best-Selling author in the field of Elder Law and Estate Planning. In addition to being one of approximately 500 Certified Elder Law Attorneys in the Country, Evan is one of approximately 100 members of the Council of Advanced Practitioners of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a Charter Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.

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