Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income. Since most of these figures have been released, we are happy to provide details on what has changed for the coming year. Be sure to check back here […]
Open Enrollment 2020: How Veterans Can Best Maximize Their Benefits
Dear Rune, I am a veteran who wants to add Medicare Advantage benefits during open enrollment this year. I have a few questions about my veterans benefits and Medicare plans, and I’m hoping you can help. First, can Medicare Advantage and VA benefits work together? Also, are there any specific Medicare Advantage plans for veterans? […]
How Can You Get a Professional Evaluation of a Senior Loved One’s Driving?
Dear Hayek, My mother and I are concerned about my father’s ability to continue driving. He is confident, however, that he should still be on the road. He even offered to be evaluated by a professional. How do you go about doing so in Virginia? Does Medicare pay for driver evaluations? Thanks for your help, […]
Were You Double Billed by Medicare in September?
Dear Rune, Welcome to the Critter Corner! I hope you can help me. I believe I may have been double billed last month by Medicare. Is t his something that you have heard about, and if so, what should I do? Thanks for your help! Bill Twyce — Dear Bill, Thanks! I am very glad […]
Open Enrollment is Now Much Easier
Nancy had been counting down the days to her retirement for a couple of years now. As the day got closer, she turned in her retirement paperwork to human resources, enjoyed the party her co-workers threw for her, and envisioned all of the lovely things she was going to do now that she no […]
Is There Any Recourse for Hefty Observation Status Bills?
Q. In the past, you answered questions about hospitalized people who were too sick to go home but not sick enough to be admitted. Many of them were in the hospital for a week, thinking it would be covered by Medicare. They were surprised when they received a huge bill from the hospital and an […]
Are We Nearing the End of Medicare’s Three-Day Rule?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I recently saw a tweet from Seema Verma, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She made it sound like an end is in sight for Medicare’s Three-Day Rule. Do you know if this is true? Thanks for your help! N. Dinsite — Dear N. Dinsite, For […]
Is Hospice Care Free-of-Charge?
Q. I recently read an article about Valerie Harper, an actress from the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Rhoda,” who is dying of cancer. Her husband of 40 years, Tony Cacciotti, announced that doctors have recommended hospice care, which is typically offered at end of life, but he declined to take doctor’s advice. He […]
Social Security Error Affects Medicare Coverage For 250,000 Seniors
James and his wife Elizabeth were surprised last month when they lost their Medicare drug coverage all of a sudden. They had the same drug plan since 2013 with no issues, which is why they were so taken aback when notified that their policies were canceled. When they first received the letter in the mail, […]
New “What’s Covered” App for Medicare
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I am often uncertain about what’s covered by Medicare. I really dislike being put on hold forever when I call CMS with questions. Are there any easy ways to see what’s covered and what’s not? Thanks! Izzy Tacovert-Ornott — Dear Izzy, You’re in luck. When it comes to seeing what’s covered […]
Important Laws that Help Seniors May Soon Be Expiring
Q. I recently moved to the DC area to be closer to my children and grandchildren. I figured since I was in DC, I would follow government and public policy a little closer, mostly focusing on issues that affect seniors. I began watching local and national news channels, but they aren’t focused on such things […]
Does Medicare Cover Annual Physicals?
Q. My sister Amy, 66, recently called her primary care doctor’s office to schedule an annual checkup. She naturally assumed her Medicare coverage would pick up most, if not all, of the tab for the exam. After all, an annual visit is supposed to be covered. To Amy, the appointment seemed like a routine physical. […]
Can I Have a Do-Over When it Comes to Social Security?
Q. I claimed Social Security benefits at 62, and I’m realizing that it’s too early. I am concerned that since I made the decision, I’m going to have to live with it. Will I be stuck with a reduced benefit for life, or can I change my mind? If I can change my mind about […]
Is Home Care Covered by Medicare?
Q. My sister, Betty, is 68 years old and has Parkinson’s disease. Her symptoms include tremors, impaired balance, difficulty walking and talking, anxiety, and confusion, at times. Her limited mobility makes it difficult for her to leave the home for the physical and occupational therapy services that she needs. A skilled nursing facility is not […]
The Cost of Long-Term Care is On the Rise
Stanley and June Blum have been married for more than 75 years and are approaching the second century of life. Stanley is 97 and June is 96. Stanley is a retired shoe-industry executive who paints and writes poetry, while June is a psychologist who still works part-time. They own a home in the city and […]
What the ACA Verdict Means for Seniors
Q. I recently read that a federal court ruled to strike down the Affordable Care Act? Sounds kind of scary if you ask me. How is this going to affect seniors and people with disabilities? A.You are correct. US District Court Judge Reed O’Connor rendered his decision to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act. According […]
How to Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud
Dear Magic, Our neighbor was a victim of Medicare Fraud. I would hate for the same thing to happen to me or a loved one. What should I look out for and how can I protect myself? Pratekt Yorselff — Dear Pratekt, Even though Medicare cards no longer contain Social Security numbers, there is still […]
2019 Medicare Changes: New Elder Care Services May Be Added to Some Medicare Advantage Plans
Q. I read somewhere that lots of changes are on the horizon for Medicare Advantage plans in 2019. What are some of the new services being added, and when will I have an opportunity to change to a different plan that has more of what I need next year? Thanks for your help! — A. […]
Yikes! Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2018
Believe it or not, in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning, there are some news stories that sound more like the scary plots of horror movies than real life. The topics can be so horrifying that suddenly, you need to turn on all the lights just to read the news stories and do […]
2019 Key Elder Law Dollar Amounts
Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, including Medicaid figures, long-term care insurance deductibility limits, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income. Since most of these figures have been released, we are happy to provide details on what has changed for the coming year. Be […]
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