Blog
Update Your Beneficiary Designations
Have you reviewed the beneficiary designations on your financial accounts lately? Many people forget to update their beneficiaries for one reason or another. Most people designate a beneficiary(ies) when they open their accounts, which could have been 10, 20 or...
Why Estate Planning is Important
With the start of a new year, why not start the year off right and prepare your estate plan. Every adult should consider estate planning sooner, rather than later. Estate planning is an essential part of retirement planning, although a lot of people are not aware of...
How the Healthcare Law Works for People on Medicare
If you have Medicare, you do not need to buy additional coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace that will start in 2014. The marketplace isn’t for people who have Medicare, so do not drop your Medicare coverage. The health care law protects your basic...
CMS Updates Medicare Manual to Reflect Jimmos Settlement
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has revised the Medicare Benefit Policy to clarify that skilled care and skilled therapy may be covered even for conditions that will not improve, per the settlement in the high-profile Jimmo vs. Sebelius case. The filing...
How the Affordable Care Act Helps People with Special Needs
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is certainly a hot topic lately. For families with special needs children, Medicaid has been the only viable option for health care coverage. Private insurance costs were exorbitant and unattainable because of “pre-existing” conditions...
Holiday Shopping – Avoiding Cons, Scams and Hoaxes
On-Line Shopping: Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) kicks off the on-line holiday shopping season. Shopping on-line can catch you some great bargains, and helps you avoid crowds, long-lines and the hassle of store shopping. But it can be risky. Copycat...
Recent Update on a Federal Lawsuit by Medicare Beneficiaries over “Observation Status”
A person’s hospital stay may not be considered by Medicare to be an inpatient hospital stay, but rather is billed as outpatient observation. Most Medicare beneficiaries know that Medicare Part A will pay for their hospitalization and will also pay for their...
October is National Special Needs Law Month
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated October as Special Needs Law Month. Unlike traditional lawyers, Special Needs Law attorneys focus on the issues that affect the elderly and those with special needs. Special Needs Law attorneys pay...
Government shutdown – What’s changing, what’s not
The government shutdown starting October 1, 2013 is now upon us. Not all government functions are disappearing – Social Security checks will still get mailed and veterans’ hospitals will stay open. But many federal agencies have shut their doors, from the...
What are the distinctions between a Will and a Trust
When is a trust appropriate? When is a will appropriate? People are often confused between the distinction between a will and a trust. Often clients will ask, “When is a will appropriate?” and “When is a trust appropriate?” These are questions that are best answered...
