Trusts are legal structures often used by Elder Law attorneys to preserve income or assets that you would otherwise be forced to spend on your care. Trusts can be an excellent way to protect your home and preserve your equity…
Many people think that they can save money by preparing their own Medicaid application, or having a family member complete it. Additionally, there is a growing industry of independent paralegals, social workers, and geriatric care managers, who have gone into…
Medicare and Medicaid are both government-provided programs that pay for medical and health expenses for the elderly and disabled. Beyond that, the two programs are distinct and follow different rules and regulations. It's important that you understand these differences. Medicare…
Under New York law, there are just (6) ways in which a nursing home may discharge a patient from their facility. 1. The patient's health improved and care at the facility is no longer essential. 2. The discharge is necessary…
(Note: This article has been updated to reflect 2022 figures.) Too few older adults know and understand their rights and options regarding health care, particularly long-term care, which, to quote the New York Court of Appeals, is "ruinously expensive." Many…
Generally, once a year every Medicaid Home Care or Community Medicaid recipient must recertify for their Medicaid services. The purpose of recertification is to allow the Medicaid system to verify that the recipient is alive, and to determine that the…
The Social Security Administration has announced that Social Security benefits will increase by 1.7 percent in 2015, which translates to an average increase of $20.00 for the typical Social Security recipient. The 1.7 percent cost of living increase will become…
On November 3, 2014, Medicaid issued a new General Information System GIS 14 MA/25 stating that GIS 14 MA/15 has been rescinded. GIS 14 MA/15 had been issued on January 1, 2014. GIS 14 MA/15 provided that “spousal impoverishment with…
A large percentage of senior citizens will reach a point where living alone is no longer safe and prudent. An elderly person who is living alone is exposed to many risks and dangers that could lead to injuries such as…
The 2014 report from the Alzheimer's Association showed that over 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's Disease. This number is expected to grow to 13 million over the next 35 years. According to the report, women are disproportionately affected…