In recent years, nursing homes have increasingly asked — or forced — patients and their families to sign arbitration agreements prior to admission. By signing these agreements, patients or family members give up their right to sue if they…
The phrase “life estate” often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning, but what exactly does it mean? A life estate is a form of joint ownership that allows one person to remain in…
Matthew Shepard, Communications Director at the Center for Medicare Advocacy shares the latest information on the “Improvement Standard” case (Jimmo v. Burwell, No. 11-cv-17 (D.Vt.)). If you are a Medicare beneficiary, this case could help ensure that you…
Recent changes to the Social Security retirement program will eliminate two claiming strategies that can possibly increase your rate of return. These changes will take effect for people who have not used them before April 29th. If you have not yet applied for Social Security benefits and could benefit from one of these strategies, you should get help from a qualified elder law attorney, such as Linda Strohschein and her team at Strohschein Law Group.
A lesson learned in Pennsylvania declares immediate annuities must still meet a number of stringent requirements to be accepted as legitimate by Medicaid authorities. Families considering them should get help from a qualified elder law attorney, such as Linda Strohschein and her team at Strohschein Law Group. This is an FYI for you to think about what long term care planning can put in place for you before you transfer assets to afford it. Call us today (630) 377-3241
As you get ready to turn 65, you may be inundated with information about Medicare. All this information is confusing, but it is important to do your research before choosing your plan. If you aren’t fully informed, you could end up making mistakes that will cost you down the road, particularly when it comes to how “Medicare Advantage” and “Medigap” plans interact.
Linda Strohschein, Principal Attorney for Strohschein Law Group, testified to help improve proposed regulations by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Appeals and Hearings.
President Obama has signed a new law intended to prevent Medicare beneficiaries from spending days in a hospital only to find that they hadn’t been admitted to the hospital at all – they were only under “observation.” This is important because Medicare covers nursing home stays entirely for the first 20 days, but only if the patient was first admitted to a hospital as an inpatient for at least three days.
Are you approaching age 65 and currently covered by a marketplace health care plan under the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”)? If so, you should think carefully about your options. While it’s possible to keep or renew your marketplace plan once you become eligible for Medicare, there could be steep costs for doing so, and switching to Medicare is viewed as the best option in virtually all cases.
The 2015 survey was based on responses from more than 15,000 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health facilities and home care providers. The survey was conducted by phone during January and February of 2015.