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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Medicare 2009
The 2009 Medicare Part B premium for eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment remains at $96.40 per month. Following are the premiums, deductible and co-payment amounts for Medicare in 2009. . . . keep reading
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What is "Spending Down" for Medicaid?
Medicaid takes a figurative "snapshot" of an individual's countable assets on the first day of the first month that an individual enters a medical facility for an extended stay. This is the amount which must either be divided between a married couple, be "spent down," or both in order for the institutionalized person to qualify for Medicaid. . . . keep reading
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What Do You Need For a Medicaid Application?
Many caregivers know that they will one day be making application for Medicaid financial assistance on behalf of a senior. While everyone knows that there will be application forms to complete when the time comes, few know what supporting documents must be submitted with the completed application. The list is long, and not always easy to assemble when you're pressed for time. . . . keep reading
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Talking to Medicare
As a caregiver there will almost certainly come a time when you will need to talk to someone with Medicare about a bill, or an incorrect ID number, or who knows what. If you are relying on the Medical Power of Attorney form your loved one signed, you will be out of luck. In it's infinite wisdom, Medicare will not accept a standard Power of Attorney form. . . . keep reading
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Alzheimers Disease
