Congress expanded benefits for Medicare recipients with chronic conditions in its latest budget bill. The law gives some Medicare plans the option of covering certain non-medical benefits and also increases…
Year: 2018
Where’s My New Medicare Card? How to Find Out the Status
The federal government has begun mailing new Medicare cards to 59 million Americans. You should keep track of when your new card will arrive and contact Medicare if you don’t…
Problems With Guardianship System Is Focus of John Oliver Show
John Oliver recently highlighted problems with the guardianship system on his HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The comedian provided a scary and funny explanation of how guardianship…
Proving That a Transfer Was Not Made in Order to Qualify for Medicaid
Medicaid law imposes a penalty period if you transferred assets within five years of applying, but what if the transfers had nothing to do with Medicaid? It is difficult to…
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Steering Enrollees to Lower-Quality Nursing Homes?
A new study has found that people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan were more likely to enter a lower-quality nursing home than were people in traditional Medicare. The study…
How to Appeal a Medicare Prescription Drug Denial
If your Medicare drug plan denies coverage for a drug you need, you don’t have to simply accept it. There are several steps you can take to fight the decision.…
New Brokerage Account Safeguards Aim to Protect Seniors From Financial Scams
New rules have been put in place to protect seniors with brokerage accounts from financial scams that could drain the accounts before anyone notices. As the population ages, elder financial abuse…
Long-Term Care Insurer Cannot Be Sued for Elder Financial Abuse
Long-term care insurance policyholders suing Bankers Life and Casualty Company were dealt a blow by the Oregon Supreme Court when it ruled that the state’s elder financial abuse statute does…
Report Finds Lack of Government Oversight of Assisted Living Facilities
The government is spending billions to fund assisted living services through Medicaid, but government oversight and regulation of assisted living facilities is lacking, according to a new government report. Medicaid…
A Guidebook to Planning for Old Age
Joy Loverde. Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old? Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age. New York, NY: Da Capo Press, 2017. 313…