Q. I’ve been voting since I was able to do so, which is more decades ago than I’d like to mention. After all, voting is a responsibility! I know that seniors like me care about a broad range of issues, not just those commonly associated with aging. Can you run through some of the issues […]
Things You May Not Know About Long-term Care
With nearly 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day from now until 2030, long-term care is a top concern of current and soon-to-be retirees, or at least it should be. You never know what sort of health issues life might throw at you, and even if you’re relatively wealthy […]
What You Need to Know About Medicare Open Enrollment
Last year, Marie turned 65 and she retired from work. Since then, she’s felt alive and free. She now enjoys traveling, taking classes, and checking items off her bucket list, including ziplining. One thing has been on her mind, and it’s not her fear of heights. Marie finds anything having to do with Medicare to […]
Can They Kick Her Out of Assisted Living?
Jeff Regan received a shocking phone call from Atria Assisted Living to inform him that his aunt, Marilou Jones, 94, who has dementia, was being evicted. The family was informed by the nurse who phoned them that Marilou can’t transfer into memory care as the family had planned; and that she would be kicked out […]
Hospitals Must Tell Medicare Patients if Care Is ‘Observation’ Only
Q. My father was in the hospital last month due to a fall in the stairwell at my parents’ split-level home. My mother wasn’t able to lift him herself, so the ambulance came to assist her. They thought he seemed weak and out of sorts, so they insisted on bringing him to the hospital to […]
Can Your Spouse Get Paid for Being Your Caregiver?
Joseph quit his full-time job to provide full-time care for his wife, Stephanie, who is suffering from early-onset dementia. He bathes and dresses her, prepares her meals, takes her blood pressure, gives her prescribed medications twice a day, and takes her to all of her medical appointments. Joseph had to quit his job to fulfill […]
Recent Law Expands Coverage of Chronic Care Through Medicare
Q. My wife and I are considering moving to a home in a more rural part of the area, with more land and less traffic. It has been her dream to live away from the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia for quite a while, but to still be close to the grandchildren. Among my […]
What Does the 2018 Medicare Trustees Report Say About Social Security?
Dear Magic, I read that the 2018 Medicare Trustees Report was recently released. There have been some alarming headlines about the future of Medicare, but I haven’t seen anything about Social Security. Based on the findings in the report, what does the future look like for Social Security? Thanks, Nada D. Pleated — Dear Nada, […]
Groceries? Air Conditioners? – Extra Benefits for Medicare Advantage Policy Holders
Michelle recently had a discussion with her mother, Rose, about ways to make Rose’s house more comfortable and easier-to-navigate. Rose’s mobility isn’t what it used to be and she can no longer walk, and is unable to drive herself to the supermarket or to doctor’s appointments. Michelle wants to help her mom improve her quality […]
Everything You Need to Know About the New Medicare Cards
Q. I heard that Medicare recipients are supposed to be receiving new cards beginning this month. I have some questions about this that I hope you can help answer. Thanks in advance for your help. Q1. What changes will be reflected on the new cards? A1. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of […]
What the SSA Wants You to Know During National Social Security Month
Dear Ribbit, I am getting ready to retire, and want to make sure I make the most of my Social Security benefits. What are some things I should know and actions I should take? Thanks, Ben Afitts —- Dear Ben, The Social Security Administration (SSA) has declared April National Social Security Month, and the agency […]
Paying for Long-Term Care . . . through Payroll?
Laurie Jinkins, a state representative in Washington state, has a mother-in-law who is 92, and who has dementia. She recently needed nursing home care, and qualified for Medicaid. Norm Johnson, also a state representative in Washington, used up much of his savings paying for in-home aides for his mother. His father spent so much on […]
Two Popular Medigap Plans are Being Shuttered — What It Means for You!
Q. A couple of years ago, my aunt Linda applied for a Plan F Medigap plan and the insurance company approved her. The following year, she saw a specialist about some hip problems she was experiencing, went for an MRI, and ended up needing hip replacement surgery. Medicare paid 80% of the cost of her […]
Is Original Medicare Sufficient?
Dear Angel, My mom is eligible for Medicare this year and is exploring her options. She is not sure whether to get a supplemental plan, or if original Medicare is enough. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks, Iz Ittanuff — Dear Iz, Most people on Medicare feel that original Medicare is not sufficient, and […]
Top 17 Articles of 2017
From the passing of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act to offer much-needed support to caregivers, to Trump’s tax overhaul, we covered a lot of ground in 2017. It was a year that included a massive data breach, the ACA almost being repealed, and amazing new technological innovations to help seniors age-in-place. At the Farr Law […]
Watch Out for These Scams During Medicare Open Enrollment!
Joanna received a call last week from a man claiming to be from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Joanna was told that she was entitled to money back because of “changes” that were made by Medicare. The man on the phone asked for not only Joanna’s Medicare number, but also her bank […]
Simplifying the Medicare Process
Q. I am a few months away from my 65th birthday, and I am aware that it is time to begin thinking about enrolling in Medicare. I started researching Medicare online, and I realized that enrollment is much more confusing than I anticipated. I’m not sure where to begin, who to contact, and which plan is best, […]
Does Medicare Really Not Care About Long-Term Care?
Dear Bebe, I read in a couple of Mr. Farr’s blogs that Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care. I thought that it did cover some long-term care services. Can you clarify? Thanks! Metta Caire —- Dear Metta, Medicare pays for health care for people age 65 years and older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, […]
When Will I Receive My Replacement Medicare Card Without my Social Security Number?
Dear Bebe, I heard Medicare will be replacing our current cards with cards that don’t have our Social Security number on them. Do you know the timeframe for getting a replacement card? Thanks, Ann Nucard — Dear Ann, You are correct. Medicare beneficiaries will be getting new ID cards soon that won’t carry their Social […]
575,000 People Are Using This Medicare Benefit. Are You?
Q. My friend Kate’s 93-year-old mother, Sue, was recently in palliative care. Sue had her Advance Medical Directive in place and the doctor had access to them. The documents clearly conveyed that she didn’t want aggressive measures to prolong her life. Sue also signed a HIPAA Waiver allowing the doctor to share confidential medical information […]
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