Q. My mother has Parkinson’s, and it is progressively getting more difficult for her to do things on her own. She has fallen several times and is having trouble swallowing. We have an aide who comes to help her, but this level of care likely won’t be enough for much longer. I know she will […]
2024 Key Elder Law Numbers
When Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a-changin’,” his lyrics referenced societal changes in the 1960s. The same lyrics could also apply to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security today. Every year, the Farr Law Firm releases the newest figures for Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, and an analysis of important developments, statuses, and updates […]
Baby Boomers Face Spike in Homelessness — How to Prepare so It Never Happens to You!
Q. I read in The Washington Post that a quarter of a million baby boomers in the US are estimated by the government to be homeless. That seems like a lot of seniors who don’t have a place to live and likely can’t afford food to eat. I can see how this can happen to […]
Is Medicaid Going to Want Us to Pay Them Back?
Q. I recently heard a horror story on NPR about a woman whose mother had Lewy body dementia, and Medicaid paid for her care. When she died, the state sent the family a letter that they owed over $200,000 in recovery payments. I didn’t realize that Medicaid was similar to a loan that you had […]
Important Client Update About Medicaid Redeterminations
Enacted soon after the beginning of the pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act included a requirement that Medicaid programs in every state, in order to receive enhanced federal funding, keep people on Medicaid who enrolled on or after March 18, 2020, regardless of changes in their circumstances, through the end of the month in […]
Our 22 Top Articles of 2022
Those who read our newsletter or follow our blog know that we covered a lot of ground this past year. The COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency has been in place for more than two and a half years at this time, and although things feel much more normal now, new variants are still emerging. Luckily, […]
2023 Key Elder Law Numbers
Every year, the Farr Law Firm releases the newest figures for Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Below are figures for 2023 that are frequently used in the Elder Law practice, including the figures for spousal impoverishment, penalty divisors, and more, for Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Medicare premiums and co-pays, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security […]
The Biggest Misconception About Medicaid
Q. I recently came across an article on CNBC.com where I saw you were quoted as an expert. I’m confused about something in the article, and I’m hoping you can clear it up. It’s an article about the expenses of long-term care and the importance of planning in advance for long-term care, and it only […]
Your House Is NOT Protected from Medicaid
Q. My mom and dad built our family home in Arlington 35 years ago. It’s been remodeled twice and expanded to enlarge the kitchen and add a master bedroom suite. Our family still hosts frequent gatherings in the home for holidays and birthdays. Mom and Dad had paid off the mortgage before Dad retired. So […]
Is Nursing Home Eviction Ever Legal?
Q. My Aunt Betsy, who has dementia, was in a nursing home. She sometimes has issues with aggression and had a bad episode recently. She was admitted to a local hospital and when she was discharged, her children tried to get her back to the nursing home, but her children were told she couldn’t come […]
What Do You Do if You Are Threatened with Eviction from a Nursing Home?
Dear Hayek, I heard about a court case involving a woman with dementia who was evicted from a nursing home. I worry this could happen with my sister, as she has dementia and can become angry and aggressive. What does someone do if this happens to a family member? Thanks, E. Victett — Dear E. […]
Almost All Nursing Home Beds Are Medicaid Beds
Q. My father is being cared for in our home near Old Town Alexandria but needs more care than we can provide. We are seriously considering nursing home care as the best option for him. With the incredibly high cost of care, we are also considering Medicaid asset protection planning, so we can retain some […]
Divorce Rates for Couples 50 and Older Have Doubled Since 1990 — What This Means for Estate Planning and Medicaid Planning
Years ago, the vast majority of couples who weren’t happy in their relationship chose to remain married out of convenience or routine, a sense of familiarity, or for their children. This has changed in recent years for many Americans ages 50 and over who are deliberately choosing to part ways. In fact, the divorce rate […]
Maryland Medicaid Waivers Have a Wait-List of 21,000 Names — Is That Ever Going to Change?
Q. My sister, Freda, age 70, resides in Rockville, Maryland, and is physically disabled. Due to her disability, has been cared for in her home by nursing aides 24/7 for the past several years. Luckily, our parents had amassed considerable savings before they died and left money for Freda in a special needs trust which […]
Has COVID-19 Changed Reverse Mortgages?
Q. My husband, Steven, and I have lived in Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years, and we have no plans of moving. We are original owners of our home, and our mortgage has been paid off since 1998. Our children all live close by, so we are hoping to stay put for as long as […]
Does the No Surprises Act Protect Seniors Against Unanticipated Medical Bills?
Ever open your mailbox to find a surprise medical bill you completely did not expect? Perhaps you had an emergency and had to go to the nearest doctor or hospital to receive care? What if you were not yet on Medicare or have a Medicare advantage plan and had to use an out-of-network provider? Surprise […]
FTC Urges Research Before Charitable Donations
Dear Hayek, I am thinking about giving charitable donations this month. I want to make sure that the charities I am choosing are legitimate and that most of the money I give goes to those in need. I also want to make sure I’m not getting scammed, as I heard scams related to charitable giving […]
Hospices Are Turning People Away
Q. My mother, Claire, has Parkinson’s and she’s at the point where she can no longer swallow and will need a feeding tube. She still lives at home with my father, who is having a hard time taking care of her. She has been hospitalized several times in the past few months for falls. Last […]
2022 Key Elder Law Dollar Amounts
Q. Every year, the Farr Law Firm releases the newest figures for Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. I was wondering if they are available this year and if you can provide a summary of changes for these programs. Thanks for your help! A. Thank you for inquiring about the key elder law dollar amounts for […]
Medicaid-Covered Home Health Care in Maryland — Reality or Illusion?
Q. For years, my Aunt Linda, 80, who lives in Rockville, Maryland, has had trouble walking or standing for long periods and trouble getting in and out of her favorite chair. She also needs help dressing and bathing, and she has frequent incontinence. As her dementia gets worse, she has started to need more assistance […]
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