In the Summer 2022 edition of the Rothkoff Quarterly, we take a look at this October's Elder Care Symposium, answer your questions about Medicaid, and enjoy a letter from Jerry that all starts with a bouquet of flowers.
What is a community spouse, and how is one eligible for spousal allowance in the event their loved one is moved to a nursing facility? Before we answer, it’s important to first understand cost-sharing in Medicaid and qualifications based on income. Medicaid is a cost-sharing program, meaning that the Medicaid recipient shares in the cost of their care. Each nursing home has its own Medicaid reimbursement rate, or the daily rate that Medicaid pays them for its nursing home residents. The resident contributes a portion of their monthly income, and Medicaid makes up the difference. The resident’s income contribution is [...]
If you are planning to apply for Medicaid, whether for yourself or a loved one, it can be important to be aware of and, if possible, prepare for a Medicaid transfer penalty. If a Medicaid applicant has given away assets, inclusive of cash, bank account transfers, properties and/or vehicles, without receiving fair market compensation within the last five years, the Medicaid caseworker processing the application will impose a Medicaid penalty. What is a Medicaid Transfer Penalty? A Medicaid transfer penalty is a period of time during which Medicaid will not reimburse your long-term care provider for services, including home and [...]
Elder law fees are often a concern for families seeking care and advocacy for an aging loved one. When I meet with professional partners or speak with someone who expresses a need for elder care law services, people are often intrigued that Rothkoff Law Group offers a flat-rate fee structure, as it is common for a law firm to bill per hour rather than a flat-rate. So why does Rothkoff Law Group do this? When a client or an involved family member or friend contacts Rothkoff Law Group, they are overwhelmed and confused about the uncertainties of what the future [...]
In the Spring 2022 edition of the Rothkoff Quarterly, we speak to our success and how we measure it one hug at a time, provide a list of important interview questions that should be asked when hiring a private caregiver for seniors, look back at the success of our Give-A-Bear project, and more.
When a new Medicare beneficiary becomes eligible for enrollment, there are two general options for coverage, Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. While Medicare Advantage is gaining in popularity, the majority of seniors still elect Traditional Medicare because it gives them the freedom to choose their providers and manage their own care. However, with the creation of the pilot Medicare Direct Contracting program (DC), some seniors may unknowingly have their care managed by for-profit companies anyway. Created by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services late in the Trump administration, the Medicare DC program allows private insurance companies and other for-profit [...]
March is the month to honor unsung heroes of the workforce: social workers. There are over 700,000 social workers in the United States, and the profession is growing. Social workers dedicate their lives to helping others navigate challenges. They counsel those with mental health and addiction issues, help families navigate foster care and adoption, counsel students, and are essential in a myriad of interdisciplinary teams, including those in hospitals, advocacy organizations, and elder law firms. When I transitioned to the practice of elder law, it was important to me to work for a firm employing social workers. After 10 years [...]
For families with aging loved ones, having the right mix of senior resources can make life care planning easier and more effective. Many people often question the role of a care coordinator in an elder law firm, but in our practice, including social work in long-term legal and elder care planning makes perfect sense. After all, Rothkoff Law Group is an elder care law firm. How many times have your peers encouraged you to see an elder law attorney for your loved one? Many of your peers may have found themselves in times of crisis in which they not only felt [...]
Most Medicare enrollees have suffered phone calls, commercials, and mailings trying to entice them into switching plans, but how do you know when these offerings are legitimate? If you are feeling pressured into joining a plan, it is important to remember that many insurance agents and brokers may receive a large fee for securing your enrollment. It is important to recognize when a health insurance company or a health insurance advisor may not have your best interests in mind. The widespread privatization of Medicare benefits can lead some seniors, or disabled individuals, to experience Medicare fraud. Medicare has many regulations [...]
Every year there are a few tweaks and changes to Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those 65 and older. The most predictable changes: increased premiums and deductibles. 2022 brings the largest Medicare Part B increase in history–a $21.60 increase. The 2022 premium is $170.10. Medicare Part B covers physician appointments and outpatient services. Reasons for the increase include: Rising healthcare costs due in part to COVID-19 A congressional act to lower the planned 2021 Part B premium with the difference being repaid via the 2022 increase CMS’s decision to save money to cover the expense of the potentially [...]
