Legal & Financial Issues – Overview/ Checklist

Under Affordable Care Act, Preventive Services Now Free to Medicare Beneficiaries

By Editor, on May 25th, 2011

Under the Affordable Care Act, since January 1, 2011, beneficiaries of Original Medicare no longer have to pay out-of-pocket costs for a “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam, and an annual preventive/ wellness visit with a participating physician is also . . . → Read More: Under Affordable Care Act, Preventive Services Now Free to Medicare Beneficiaries

Government Imposes Review on All Premium Rate Hikes of 10% or More by Health Insurers

By Editor, on May 19th, 2011

“Over the last 10 years, the cost of family health insurance has jumped an amazing 131 percent and today coverage is out of reach for millions of people and business owners,” the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services . . . → Read More: Government Imposes Review on All Premium Rate Hikes of 10% or More by Health Insurers

Medicare Launches New Website for Caregivers

By Editor, on May 18th, 2011

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has launched a new section of the Medicare.gov website focused on helping caregivers. The new site, called Medicare Basics — Eligibility and enrollment; definitions for . . . → Read More: Medicare Launches New Website for Caregivers

Health Insurers Report Record Profits, Yet Raise Premiums, While People Postpone Care

By Editor, on May 14th, 2011

Kaiser Health News, which provides a summary of health policy coverage from more than 300 news organizations, is reporting from several sources that health insurance companies have realized record profits for the third year in a row, enhanced even . . . → Read More: Health Insurers Report Record Profits, Yet Raise Premiums, While People Postpone Care

2011 Medicare Trustees Report Shows Affordable Care Act Added 8 Years of Solvency to Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Trust Fund

By Editor, on May 13th, 2011

The Medicare Trustees issued their Annual Report for 2011 today. It shows that the Medicare (Part A) Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is now projected to remain solvent until 2024, eight years longer than would have been the case without . . . → Read More: 2011 Medicare Trustees Report Shows Affordable Care Act Added 8 Years of Solvency to Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Trust Fund

Govt Finds Dangerous Antipsychotic Drugs Given 95% "Off Label" in Nursing Homes

By Editor, on May 10th, 2011

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released an investigation report on May 4, 2011, finding that among elderly Medicare patients in nursing homes, dangerous antipsychotic drugs are being given predominantly . . . → Read More: Govt Finds Dangerous Antipsychotic Drugs Given 95% “Off Label” in Nursing Homes

How To Save On The Cost Of Prescription Drugs

By Senior Editor, on May 7th, 2011

Some tips from Medicare.gov on buying generic drugs and entering a discount prescription program. Click 10 ways to reduce your drug costs» See also the ABC Diane Sawuer News Video report on how to cut the cost of . . . → Read More: How To Save On The Cost Of Prescription Drugs

Yale Study Links 'Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders' to Poor Surgical Outcomes & Higher Risk of Death

By Editor, on April 18th, 2011

A new study by Yale researchers published today in the Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA journals of the American Medical Association, found that Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders were associated with poor surgical outcomes and a higher risk of death . . . → Read More: Yale Study Links ‘Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders’ to Poor Surgical Outcomes & Higher Risk of Death

Survey Finds 9 of 10 Health Care Leaders Support Affordable Care Act; 7 of 10 Favor Implementing the Law with Little or No Change

By Editor, on March 19th, 2011

A recent survey of leaders in health care and health care policy found that 9 of 10 Health Care Leaders agree that the general direction set by the Affordable Care Act is appropriate, and 7 out of 10 favor . . . → Read More: Survey Finds 9 of 10 Health Care Leaders Support Affordable Care Act; 7 of 10 Favor Implementing the Law with Little or No Change

Doctors Try New Direct-Pay Models for Primary Care; Leaving Health Insurers Out

By Editor, on March 10th, 2011

Much has been written about how our current insurance model encourages doctors to perform procedures and tests rather than for time spent with patients. The role of the insurance companies, intervening between doctors and their patients, displeases both doctors . . . → Read More: Doctors Try New Direct-Pay Models for Primary Care; Leaving Health Insurers Out

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIPs) Available under Health Reform Law to Help Those With Pre-existing Conditions

By Editor, on February 25th, 2011

While lawsuits and Republicans in Congress are seeking to overturn The Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is continuing to institute many of the law’s provisions in an effort to provide low-cost . . . → Read More: Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIPs) Available under Health Reform Law to Help Those With Pre-existing Conditions

Nine Tax Questions For Family Caregivers: FAQs & Answers from the IRS

By Editor, on February 15th, 2011

Here are nine frequently asked tax questions for family caregivers, listed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on its website. Click on the links below to find the answers provided by the IRS for each question: 1. I . . . → Read More: Nine Tax Questions For Family Caregivers: FAQs & Answers from the IRS

Family Caregivers and Self-Employment Tax - Information from the IRS

By Page Editor, on February 15th, 2011

Here is a copy of information provided on the IRS.gov website on: Family Caregivers and Self-Employment Tax: “Special rules apply to workers who perform in-home services for elderly or disabled individuals (caregivers). Caregivers are typically employees of the individuals . . . → Read More: Family Caregivers and Self-Employment Tax – Information from the IRS

Eight Tax Tips for Caregivers

By Editor, on February 14th, 2011

Tax tips for Caregivers from a tax attorney, including brief tips on the following eight topics: Claiming a Dependent Dependent Care Credit Deduction Qualifying Criteria Multiple Support Agreement State Deductions and Credits Home Modifications Reimbursement Accounts In Home Assistance . . . → Read More: Eight Tax Tips for Caregivers

Tax Breaks for Family Caregivers

By Senior Editor, on February 13th, 2011

If you as a caregiver provide at least half of a care recipient’s financial support… If you are paying for some or all of a care recipient’s medical or dental expenses… you may be entitled to tax breaks. Read . . . → Read More: Tax Breaks for Family Caregivers

New Disability & Long-Term Care Insurance Benefit Under The New Health Care Law

By Editor, on January 29th, 2011

The new health care law established a new voluntary national insurance program that will provide cash benefits to participants who have a qualifying disability that limits their day-to-day living and who meet the other eligibility criteria. This new program . . . → Read More: New Disability & Long-Term Care Insurance Benefit Under The New Health Care Law

New Medicare Benefits in 2011 under the Health Reform Law

By Editor, on January 21st, 2011

Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, has released a new Video explaining the new benefits that the Affordable Care Act (the Health Reform Law) provides in 2011 for people on . . . → Read More: New Medicare Benefits in 2011 under the Health Reform Law

New report: 129 million Americans with a pre-existing condition could be denied coverage without the health reform law

By Editor, on January 18th, 2011

In a News Release, Tuesday, January 18, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reported: Without Affordable Care Act protections, in 2014, 1 in 2 non-elderly Americans could be denied coverage or charged more due to a . . . → Read More: New report: 129 million Americans with a pre-existing condition could be denied coverage without the health reform law

Implementation Timeline for the Provisions of the Health Reform Law

By Editor, on January 12th, 2011

Kaiser Family Foundation provides a very helpful and easy to understand ”Implementation Timeline” — an interactive tool to explain how and when the provisions of the health reform law will be implemented over the next several years. You can show or hide . . . → Read More: Implementation Timeline for the Provisions of the Health Reform Law

Caregiving Basics: A Document Organizer

By Senior Editor, on January 3rd, 2011

Can you put your hands on important documents you will need as a primary caregiver? Here’s a helpful to-do list to help you locate, create, or revise important papers. From the National Caregivers Library: . . . → Read More: Caregiving Basics: A Document Organizer

First Baby Boomers Hit 65: Looming Strains on Medicare Solvency

By Editor, on January 3rd, 2011

On New Year’s Day, the first baby boomers, those born in 1946, will celebrate their 65th Birthday. Beginning Jan. 1, 10,000 Baby Boomers a day will turn 65. That will continue for the next 19 years. “Baby Boomers” include . . . → Read More: First Baby Boomers Hit 65: Looming Strains on Medicare Solvency

Nine Key Provisions of the New Health Care Reform Law Take Effect January 1, 2011

By Editor, on January 2nd, 2011

Here is a list of the nine key provisions of the new national Health Care Reform Law that take effect on January 1, 2011: Restriction on Insurance Company Use of Premium Dollars. Health-insurance companies will now be required to . . . → Read More: Nine Key Provisions of the New Health Care Reform Law Take Effect January 1, 2011

The New Year Brings New Health-Care Benefits under Health Reform Law

By Editor, on January 1st, 2011

On Saturday, January 1, 2011 important new changes to U.S. health insurance rules will take effect under the new Health Reform Law – the Affordable Care Act. Among the new provisions taking effect today are: New rules designed to . . . → Read More: The New Year Brings New Health-Care Benefits under Health Reform Law

It's Important to Plan

By Senior Editor, on December 29th, 2010

Guide from AARP helps caregivers gather critical information in advance “After she died, I went to her house and had to go through her papers to find important things like the title to her car, burial arrangements, house title,” . . . → Read More: It’s Important to Plan

Training to Be a Family Caregiver

By Editor, on December 29th, 2010

This article, part of a WSJ.com series with tips on elder-care, cites a series of new studies and reports on the emotional, physical and financial challenges of caring for aged or disabled loved ones. It suggests that just as people train for marathons and other . . . → Read More: Training to Be a Family Caregiver

Growing Trend: Paying a Relative to Take Care of Mom

By Editor, on December 29th, 2010

Read more in WSJ.com about a growing trend for families to compensate adult children or relatives who serve as caregivers to elders. This trend may be fueled by a recognition of the financial sacrifices that family caregivers often make — frequently finding it . . . → Read More: Growing Trend: Paying a Relative to Take Care of Mom

Organize Documents

By Senior Editor, on December 28th, 2010

from AARP.org Does your mother have a will? Where is your father’s birth certificate? AARP.org offers a PDF download designed to help organize you and your parents now before a crisis happens. »See Organize Documents

Video Lecture Series on Helping Seniors with Finances: Financing Options for Care

By Editor, on December 11th, 2010

Video Series Published by MetaCafe; Lecturer: certified senior advisor Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care. The publisher indicates that this video series teaches you how to help your senior loved one manage his/her finances and prevent him/her from . . . → Read More: Video Lecture Series on Helping Seniors with Finances: Financing Options for Care

Long-Term Care Solutions You Should Be Talking About Now

By Senior Editor, on November 30th, 2010

by Ken Dychtwald Ph.D., Gerontologist, psychologist, author, entrepreneur and public speaker for the Huffington Post Two-thirds of people 65 and over will need some kind of long term care. In fact, many of us aren’t prepared for it or . . . → Read More: Long-Term Care Solutions You Should Be Talking About Now

Medicaid and the Primary Residence

By Senior Editor, on November 30th, 2010

by Craig Reaves, past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys for The New York Times, November 24, 2010 An Elder Law Attorney answers a question concerning whether it is necessary to spend down a person’s assets . . . → Read More: Medicaid and the Primary Residence

A Checklist of Some Legal Issues for Seniors and Their Family Caregivers

By Editor, on November 25th, 2010

© 2010 by Constance R. Barnhart Attorney At Law View/ Print as a PDF Document Following is a checklist of some of the legal issues that may arise for seniors and their family caregivers. For each of these issues . . . → Read More: A Checklist of Some Legal Issues for Seniors and Their Family Caregivers

Is Long-Term Care Insurance Beginning to Fade Away?

By Editor, on November 13th, 2010

When a Safety Net Is Yanked Away, By Ron Lieber, New York Times, November 12, 2010 “November is long-term care awareness month, and to celebrate, MetLife, a big player in the long-term care insurance industry announced on Thursday that . . . → Read More: Is Long-Term Care Insurance Beginning to Fade Away?

MetLife Halts Sale of New Long-Term Care Insurance – BusinessWeek

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

MetLife Inc., the largest U.S. life insurer, cites “financial challenges” in halting long-term insurance. Over the past five years the cost of assisted living and the price for a private room in a nursing home rose higher than predictions. . . . → Read More: MetLife Halts Sale of New Long-Term Care Insurance – BusinessWeek

Long-Term Care Insurance, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

From Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Excellent information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on: What is long-term care insurance? Coverage and Benefit Choices; Long-Term Care Insurance Costs and Receiving . . . → Read More: Long-Term Care Insurance, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information

A Big Decision for Women: Should I Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

Women & Aging Newsletter, National Program on Women & Aging, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. Although from September 1997, this newsletter provides a good introduction to the topic of long-term care insurance and the issues . . . → Read More: A Big Decision for Women: Should I Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?

The looming crisis in caregiving; Even if they can afford to pay, the elderly may not be able to find the help they need

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

By Alfred C. Clapp Jr., October 5, 2008, Investment News. Makes the case why having long-term care insurance that covers private care will become even more crucial for today’s Baby Boomers, as they age. In 10 years, the number . . . → Read More: The looming crisis in caregiving; Even if they can afford to pay, the elderly may not be able to find the help they need

Who Should Pay for Mom and Dad’s Care? Cnn.com

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

Family squabbles and tensions arise from inadequate funding to pay family caregivers for their work. Currently, “The value of family caregivers’ “free” help is estimated at $257 billion per year, according to the National Family Caregivers Association, a … . . . → Read More: Who Should Pay for Mom and Dad’s Care? Cnn.com

Long-Term Care Insurance, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

Excellent information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on: What is long-term care insurance? Coverage and Benefit Choices; Long-Term Care Insurance Costs and Receiving Benefits; Buying Long-Term Care Insurance; and State Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance . . . → Read More: Long-Term Care Insurance, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Long-Term Care Insurance Tax-Deductibility Rules

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, Consumer’s Information Center. Provides quite detailed summary information on Federal and State income tax deductibility rules applicable to premiums paid for long-term care insurance. As noted, “Recognizing that government can’t pay the bill . . . → Read More: Long-Term Care Insurance Tax-Deductibility Rules

Medicare & You

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The Official Medicare Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. . . . → Read More: Medicare & You

Welcome To Medicare

By Senior Editor, on November 12th, 2010

by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This booklet is included in the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) package that Medicare mails to people who are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B. . . . → Read More: Welcome To Medicare