News
Changes to Medicare in 2022
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 [...]
Extension of the 3-Day Prior Hospitalization Waiver
What does the 3-Day Prior Hospitalization waiver extension mean for seniors seeking skilled nursing facility-level care? Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued several waivers in response to the Public Health Emergency. These waivers were scheduled through at least January 2022. In January, it was determined that the 3-Day Prior Hospitalization waiver would remain in effect at least through April 16, 2022. This waiver allows for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility level of care without a qualifying hospitalization. Under the traditional Medicare guidelines, a Medicare beneficiary must be admitted to a [...]
Aduhelm Coverage: Medicare’s Decision for the New Alzheimer’s Drug
On January 11, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed that Medicare would offer Aduhelm coverage. Aduhelm is a drug for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease, only as part of a clinical trial approved by CMS or supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The trial will help to generate the evidence that CMS suggests is currently lacking regarding whether Aduhelm is reasonable and necessary for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This preliminary National Coverage Determination (NCD) comes after months of handwringing over the potential impact of this new high-priced drug on Medicare spending and [...]
Life Lessons from Seniors: Navigating Life and Loss
Learning to listen and taking life lessons from seniors are a gift we should never discount. A reflection shared should be a reflection cherished. How do you make a full and meaningful life when you can’t do so many of the things you once did? This is the question New York Times reporter, John Leland, has attempted to answer in his seven-year, twenty-one article series interviewing seniors nearing the end of their lives. Some of their thoughts on leading a meaningful life include, “don’t brood about the things you can’t reach; live as if your time is limited; focus on [...]
2022 Consumer Electronics Show Features Elder Care Technology
Big tech is lending its innovations to the care of seniors with new elder care technology. As I’ve written before, care costs (whether acute or long-term) continue increasing, as they have for years. As elder care advocates we deal with these growing costs daily and have seen this trend for years. However, another issue has risen over the past year or two: a dearth of caregivers. The number of CNAs, home health aides, and LPNs is dwindling for a variety of reasons: a growing need by aging adults, the pandemic, low pay, hard work, and reduced immigration. As a result, [...]
The No Surprises Act: New Ban on Surprise Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act brings new protections for patients in out-of-network care. Read on below to learn more. You are taking that ski vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that you have been planning for all year. Well, things did not go exactly as planned. You ended up in the ER in Jackson Hole after fracturing your ankle on the ski slope, requiring surgery. Thirty days later, back home, you receive a bill for thousands of dollars for the medical services received because the services were performed by an out-of-network provider. 2022 brings new protections in such a scenario. Patients with [...]
CMS Update on Nursing Home Information Disclosed to Public
In a recent CMS update, the public will now have access to new information about nursing homes that were previously undisclosed. According to a report by the Center for Medicare Advocacy, in response to questions from reporters, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has stated it will now publicly post all civil money penalties imposed against nursing facilities, whether or not the fines have been paid. Up until now, CMS has refrained from publicly disclosing unpaid fines. Arguably, CMS’s former policy rewarded bad behavior by facilities, such as refusal to pay fines, by keeping the federal fines hidden [...]
Holiday Tips for Dementia Caregivers and Being Dementia-Inclusive
Holiday family gatherings can be challenging, especially for those with dementia, but with a few helpful holiday tips for dementia caregivers, you can be inclusive and enjoy the time together. Instead of dwelling on what the holidays were like in years past, some of the best advice dementia care experts have to offer involves focusing on the present and developing strategies to roll with the changes to preserve the holiday spirit of gratitude. According to dementia care expert Teepa Snow, the following guidance will help make your holiday gathering more dementia-friendly. 1. Think Simple Think smaller. Simplifying celebrations can go [...]
Know Your Rights: Special Enrollment Period
Are you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period? While annual open enrollment has come to a close, that does not necessarily mean that you missed your opportunity to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan or your Medicare part D prescription drug plan. If you have Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, meaning your Medicare benefits are offered through a private company, you will have a second opportunity to make changes. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, running from January 1, 2022, through March 31, 2022, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or go [...]
2022 Elder Law Numbers
As 2021 draws to a close, there are important 2022 elder law numbers that should be paid attention to by seniors and their loved ones. With these new changes in mind, now is the time to plan finances ahead of the year to come. 2022 Medicare Numbers The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for 2022: Basic Part B premium:........................................................$170.10/month (was $148.50 in 2021) Part B deductible:................................................................$233.00 ($203.00 in 2021) Part A deductible:................................................................$1,556.00 (was $1,484.00 in 2021) Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90:..........................$389.00/day (was $37.00 in 2021) Co-payment for hospital stay [...]
The VA Aid and Attendance Pension Helps Seniors Age in Place
The VA Aid and Attendance program is helping veterans across the nation receive home care and avoid the need for leaving their surroundings for a nursing facility. Below we discuss the details of this program and the eligibility for seniors who have served to receive these helpful benefits. Very few people, if any, plan to spend their last days in a nursing facility. People want to remain at home. There they are surrounded by personal comforts and have control over their daily lives. Sadly, certain conditions make it untenable for some to remain at home. While disease progressions may necessitate [...]
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 [...]
Important Update on Nursing Home Visitation Guidance from CMS
On November 12, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their Nursing Home Visitation Guidance. After over a year and a half of residents and their loved ones being separated from each other and subject to confusing and often ignored nursing home visitation guidance, visitation is now allowed at all times for all residents, including indoor visitations. All visitors must continue to adhere to infection prevention practices. Additional key points of new guidance include: Facilities can no longer limit frequency and length of visits, number of visitors, or require advanced scheduling of visits. Vaccinated and unvaccinated residents [...]
Reflections on the 4th Annual Rothkoff Law Group Elder Care Symposium
On October 21st, 2021, we held our fourth annual Rothkoff Law Group Elder Care Symposium. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, the Symposium was held virtually for the second year. We want to thank all of the attendees, exhibitors, presenters, and generous sponsors who helped support the Symposium. We are proud to announce all Symposium ticket sale proceeds will benefit HFC, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogan’s national non-profit dedicated to caring for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, inspiring the next generation of Alzheimer’s advocates, and being leaders in brain research and education. Upon logging into the Symposium platform, [...]
Philadelphia Walk to End Alzheimer’s
We invite you to join our team, Love 4 Lois, for the Philadelphia Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. 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. Since 2018, our team has been walking in honor of my mother, Lois, Rothkoff Law Group’s dear friend, and former co-worker, who is living with this disease. On October 21, 2021, Dr. Jason Karlawish—Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics & Health Policy, and Neurology at the University of [...]