What Are Guaranteed Issue Rights in Medicare?
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What Are Guaranteed Issue Rights in Medicare?

Public Benefits

What Are Guaranteed Issue Rights in Medicare?

While many people are currently assessing their health insurance options for fall’s Open Enrollment, running from October 15 through December 7, some may have questions about their options regarding Medicare, Medigap policies, and Guaranteed Issue Rights. If you are enrolled in or interested in enrolling in a Medigap policy, these policies are not subject to Medicare’s Open Enrollment period. A Medigap policy, or Medicare Supplement Insurance policy, helps to fill the “gaps” by serving as a supplement to Original Medicare, covering a portion of remaining health costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These types of policies are sold by [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:12:50-05:00November 26, 2021|

Advocacy is Essential When Applying for Medicaid
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Advocacy is Essential When Applying for Medicaid

Public Benefits

Advocacy is Essential When Applying for Medicaid

As an attorney for Rothkoff Law Group, I help support our Public Benefits staff with complicated Medicaid issues and unexpected application outcomes when applying for Medicaid. As a result, I have found the internal processes of state Medicaid agencies processing Medicaid applications do not always comply with state and federal Medicaid laws, often to the detriment of our clients. For this reason, it is essential to have an advocate when applying for Medicaid for long-term care in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is worth noting I do not believe the Medicaid agency’s occasional failure to comply with Medicaid rules [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:14:27-05:00October 21, 2021|

Rothkoff Quarterly: Fall 2021
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Rothkoff Quarterly: Fall 2021

eNewsletter

Rothkoff Quarterly: Fall 2021

In the Fall 2021 edition of the Rothkoff Quarterly, we cover: The Pandemic Did Not Change Everything, Join Rothkoff Law Group to Help End Alzheimer's Disease, Be Prepared for Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, Rothkoff Law Elder Care Symposium, and Update on Rothkoff Law Group

Rothkoff Law Group2025-03-31T08:41:09-04:00September 28, 2021|

Planning Ahead for the Medicaid Look-Back Period
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Planning Ahead for the Medicaid Look-Back Period

Public Benefits

Planning Ahead for the Medicaid Look-Back Period

What is a Medicaid Look-Back Period, and why should you be concerned about planning ahead for Medicaid benefits? We encounter the following factual scenario on a regular basis, which will shed some light on why you may want to start planning now. Mom can no longer live independently. Mom sells her house and moves in with her son and his family. Son uses mom’s money to remodel or add an addition to his home and to help pay household expenses, such as utilities, food, maintenance. Mom never puts anything in writing indicating son can use her money for such expenses. [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:18:43-05:00September 16, 2021|

Self-Directed Medicaid Home Care Options
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Self-Directed Medicaid Home Care Options

Assisted Living

Self-Directed Medicaid Home Care Options

For a multitude of reasons, even once approved for Medicaid, many families have been hesitant to move their loved ones to an Assisted Living or Nursing Home environment, opting instead for home care. However, home care through an agency comes with issues of its own, primarily rooted in staffing shortages. It is no secret that the United States’ aging population is growing, an impending crisis exacerbated and exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently called out Pennsylvania’s lack of comprehensive eldercare solutions, rating their “level of preparedness at a ‘C’ or ‘D,’” not nearly good enough to match [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:23:09-05:00September 10, 2021|

Recognizing and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
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Recognizing and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver

Recognizing and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

In addition to advocating for the needs of our clients, the Rothkoff Care Coordination team often addresses the need of the caregiver with whom we communicate, including the impact of caregiver burnout. A caregiver is typically a spouse or adult child who is assisting with tasks ranging from meal preparation and medication management to physically assisting their loved one with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and grooming. Sometimes caregiving simply involves concern over the aging loved one’s wellbeing and checking to make sure this loved one is okay. Caregivers provide this support out of love, respect, and a [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:19:04-05:00September 2, 2021|

Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Love for Lois
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Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Love for Lois

Around the Office

Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Love for Lois

Every year, thousands of Americans lace up for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s—the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. And every year, our team walks for our dear friend and former co-worker Lois, who is living with this disease. Lois’s grandson, Jared Fisch, pens an anecdotal essay on what it looks like to be on the other end of Alzheimer’s watching a loved one change before you. Read on below and join the Rothkoff Law Group – Love for Lois team in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She’s Not Who She Used to Be I [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:19:11-05:00August 26, 2021|

Preventing Falls: Tips on Caring for Aging Parents
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Preventing Falls: Tips on Caring for Aging Parents

Aging, Healthy Aging

Preventing Falls: Tips on Caring for Aging Parents

As our loved ones age, it's important to help in preventing falls in an effort to help save them from devastating effects on their health. There are steps you can take to lower the risk. It is always a good idea to have a conversation with your loved one’s doctor about what might be appropriate. Here are a few talking points for preventing falls to discuss with your loved one and/or their doctor. Start by asking your loved one’s doctor whether they are at high risk for falls. Ask your loved one’s doctor whether they are any steps you can [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:19:28-05:00August 19, 2021|

Qualified Income Trust for Medicaid
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Qualified Income Trust for Medicaid

Public Benefits

Qualified Income Trust for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid for yourself or a loved one can be a difficult process. Many people believe they have successfully navigated all clinical and financial criteria, only to discover that the applicant requires a Qualified Income Trust, or QIT. Prior to December 1, 2014, all Medicaid applicants in the State of New Jersey with a monthly income in excess of the annual income limit, $2,382.00/month in 2021, were ineligible for the benefit. The creation of QITs has allowed for a wider range of applicants but has further complicated the Medicaid application process. Improper use of a QIT can result in [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:23:30-05:00July 22, 2021|

LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights
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LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights

Aging, Law Update

LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights

New Jersey is one of four states leading the charge against discrimination based on sexual orientation in long-term care facilities. In March of this year, Governor Murphy signed S2545/A4388, known as the LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights, into law. The new law, similar to those in Massachusetts, California, and Illinois, bans discrimination in long-term care communities based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The significance of the LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights is twofold. First, it mandates the staff and administration of long-term care communities receive training on caring for and preventing discrimination against LGBTQI+ seniors. Secondly, the law establishes [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T12:23:42-05:00July 22, 2021|

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