|
|
 |
Insurance
Unless you or your elder have unlimited funds and you plan to pay for everything out of pocket, insurance will play a part in your elder care journey. Communicating with insurance companies and understanding what you can and can't do on behalf of someone else is critical. Getting certain things set up in advance will make your job much, much easier.
|
Medicare Covers Diabetic Supplies - But It's Not Automatic
Several years back when Charlie Adams was first diagnosed with Diabetes, he learned to use special equipment and suplies to regularly test his blood sugar. As the cost of living has increased, and Charlie's pension has stayed more or less the same, the supplies necessary for living well with diabetes are beginning to cost him more per month than he can now afford. Recently Charlie cut back to testing his blood just twice a day instead of the four times his doctor wants him to check . . . keep reading
|
When is Medicare Not Medicare?
My father has (Big Name Insurance Company) Medicare. I was just informed by the therapist where he is receiving physical therapy after an accident that Big Name Insurance Company Medicare will not cover his stay past the end of this week, even though he is not ready to come home. The therapist said if he had regular Medicare he would still be covered . . . keep reading
|
Medicare Part D Extra Help Loosens Requirements
As of January 1, as many as a million lower-income seniors who were previously denied may now be eligible for "Extra Help." Because the income and asset qualifiers for the Medicare Extra Help program have been broadened, Social Security is encouraging everyone who may not have qualified before to re-apply . . . keep reading
|
PACE: The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
How many seniors who can no longer get along without regular assistance would benefit from a program that provided medical oversight by doctors and nurses experienced in caring for the elderly, physical and occupational therapy on site, daily recreational opportunities, social services, personal care and homemaker services, nutritional counseling, a day program with meals, and transportation to get there and back home every day? . . . keep reading
|
Medicare Fast Form Locator
When you're dealing with government there's a form for everything. Medicare alone has hundreds of forms, and locating the right form for what you need to accomplish can be both confusing and time-consuming. We've compiled a list of the most-often needed Medicare forms that you can download directly . . . keep reading
|
Is Your Parent Losing Medicare Advantage Insurance?
Every year, insurance companies offering Medicare Advantge plans (HMOs, PPOs, private fee-for-service plans [PFFS], etc) have the option to drop out of the program or not renew their Medicare contract. When this happens, beneficiaries must find a new insurance plan or return to traditional Medicare. If your senior is one of the Medicare Advantage plan members affected, their notification letter may have gone "astray" . . . keep reading
|
Life Settlements: Last Resort For Funding Care?
While they certainly aren't right for everyone, and we're personally a little squeamish about the whole idea of selling "death benefits," life settlements have recently become an accepted way for certain people to generate operating money from life insurance policies in excess of the cash surrender value. This is how they work . . . keep reading
|
That Vacant House May Not Be Insured
Is your parent's house standing empty because of a move to a facility or you are in the process of settling the estate? The homeowner's policy on this house may no longer be in effect, even though you may still be paying the premiums regularly . . . keep reading
|
Medicare-Covered Preventive Tests & Services You May Not Know About
Many people don't realize that all Medicare health plans will cover several preventive tests and services that may not be offered by private health plans covering younger people. These preventive services include exams, lab tests and screenings, innoculations, monitoring, and counseling aimed at early detection and maintaining optimum health . . . keep reading
|
Medicare and Mental Health Treatment
While mental illness is just as much an illness as any other, today Medicare covers treatment for mental health issues differently than treatment for "physical" illness. These differences confuse many beneficiaries and their families. In some cases, this confusion can keep seniors needing mental health treatment from getting the help they need . . . keep reading
|
Free Medicine
Hannah Louise needs to take several medications on a regular basis. Her full-time job doesn't include health insurance. Paying for her prescriptions has become impossible on her salary, so now she's trying to decide which ones she can cut out and still stay healthy enough to work and help take care of her mother, Magdalena. . . . keep reading
|
When a Senior Has Too Much Income For Medicaid
Even when John has used up all his resources he still won't qualify for help from Medicaid in his state. At about $4,000, his monthly income is over the Medicaid limit. What do people do when they have too much income to qualify for Medicaid, and not enough income to pay for care, which can exceed $10,000 per month in some places? . . . keep reading
|
How Does Hospice Get Paid?
Caregivers who have researched private care services are often perturbed that their hospice agency is receiving such a "high" rate of reimbursement from Medicare. They look at the amount of caregiving help they could purchase at an hourly rate, and they wonder why the hospice agency is getting so much. Some caregivers have asked whether these reimbursement rates might almost be the equivalent of Medicare fraud. . . . keep reading
|
|
|
|
|
Alzheimers Disease
