When a patient elects hospice care, he/she is choosing to receive care that will not cure their terminal illness, but should provide comfort and relief from pain. All services related to their terminal illness become the hospice’s responsibility. It appears, however, that hospices do not always provide the care patients need to control pain and manage symptoms, according to a report issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (OIG). On the … [Read more...] about Fraud and Abuse Rampant in Medicare Hospice Program
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Veterans Struggle to Get Benefits Approved
In the United States, veterans are supposed to receive a wide range of benefits that are intended to show, in some small way, how much their service and sacrifice means to the country. One of the lessor known of those benefits is Veterans Aid and Attendance (VA&A) benefits. VA&A benefits are an additional monthly benefit for qualified veterans who are entitled to pension benefits. The extra income each month can make a significant difference to veterans who need assistance at home with … [Read more...] about Veterans Struggle to Get Benefits Approved
Special Accounts for People with Special Needs (ABLE Accounts)
ABLE accounts provide tax benefits and flexibility to disabled people. ABLE accounts are available to those disabled before age 26. Read the attached article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an attorney and estate planning expert, to learn more about ABLE accounts and how they can be used with a Special Needs Trust for maximum advantage. Special Accounts for People with Special Needs … [Read more...] about Special Accounts for People with Special Needs (ABLE Accounts)
New VA Rules Changes Sharply Restrict Eligibility for Needs-Based Pension Benefits
Three and a half years after announcing draft rule changes, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has finalized new rules, effective October 18, 2018, that establish, among other things, a new asset limit test, a novel look-back period and penalties on claimants applying for VA needs-based benefits who are found to have violated these rules. The new rules apply to what is known as the Improved Pension program, commonly referred to as “Aid and Attendance” and “Housebound” benefits. These … [Read more...] about New VA Rules Changes Sharply Restrict Eligibility for Needs-Based Pension Benefits
A Primer on Medi-Cal Long Term Care Planning (Part 2 of 2)
In Part 1, we provided an overview of the Medi-Cal Long Term Care program and its eligibility requirements. In this installment, we will focus on specific planning strategies. When Should You Plan for Medi-Cal Long Term Care? It is never too late to get help with Medi-Cal planning, even if you or your loved one is already in a nursing home. However, the sooner you begin to plan, the better. Estate planning and elder law attorneys divide Medi-Cal planning into two categories based on how … [Read more...] about A Primer on Medi-Cal Long Term Care Planning (Part 2 of 2)
Estate Planning is for You, Not Just Your Parents or Grandparents
If you’re young and unmarried, do you really need an estate plan? The answer is “yes,” if you care what happens to you and your stuff. Read the following article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an attorney and estate planning expert, to find out how an estate plan can help someone who is young and unmarried. Estate Planning is for You, Not Just Your Parents or Grandparents … [Read more...] about Estate Planning is for You, Not Just Your Parents or Grandparents
Planning for the Client Moving Overseas
In this increasingly mobile world, clients often spend periods of time living in other countries, or even retiring overseas. How does one address estate planning in this situation? This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an attorney and estate planning expert, explains what to do. Planning for the Client Moving Overseas … [Read more...] about Planning for the Client Moving Overseas
Will My Spouse Suffer If I Need to Qualify for Medi-Cal?
As a senior, there is a very good chance that you, or your spouse, will need long-term care at some point. The cost of that care will not be cheap. Fortunately, Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) may be able to help; however, you may have heard people talk about the Medi-Cal eligibility rules and fear those rules will cause your spouse to suffer. We will explain why you need not worry about your spouse if you need help from Medi-Cal. Will You Need Nursing Home Care? Although we all hope to … [Read more...] about Will My Spouse Suffer If I Need to Qualify for Medi-Cal?
Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples
Same-sex couples celebrated a historic victory recently with the legalization of same-sex marriages throughout the United States. That victory follows a decades-long struggle for equality by the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters. While the recent victory certainly helps same-sex couples protect and provide for each other, careful estate planning continues to play an important role. If you are part of a same-sex couple, there are a number of LGBTQ+ estate planning tools and strategies that … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples
Planning to Avoid Too Much SALT
The new tax law brought a cap of $10,000 on federal deduction for state and local taxes. People are trying different ways to get around the cap. Some of the ways work and others could land you in hot water. Read the following article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, to find out more. Planning to Avoid Too Much SALT … [Read more...] about Planning to Avoid Too Much SALT
