Blog: Elder Law
Medicare Enrollment in Florida
Between October 15th - December 7th every year, seniors age 65 and over and enrolled in Medicare have the opportunity to: Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare or Switch from one Medicare...
Top 7 Elder Law, Senior Care Experts to Follow on Twitter
I thought it would be fun to create my own list of top Elder Law and Senior Care related twitter feeds that I enjoy following. These are people that I follow from around the country who are the top in their field of law or who have business that help the elderly. ...
Why do I need long term care insurance?
I usually have a discussion with almost every estate planning client that I meet with about long term care insurance. Some clients respond by saying, “I’m too young to need that” to which I respond – ever heard of Terry Schaivo? She was only 26 years old when she...
Press Release: Brandon Attorney, Laurie Ohall, Receives High Honor with Board Certification
Download PDF Press Release BRANDON, FL – May 31, 2012 – Laurie E. Ohall, managing attorney of the Brandon Elder Law and Estate Planning Firm, Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall P.A., has become board certified in Elder Law by the Florida Bar effective June 1, 2012. ...
State seeks changes to Florida Medically Needy program
The current Florida Medicaid system is definitely in need of repair. Is this an appropriate way to fix the problem? Agency officials have given their plans. What's your take? Article From the News-Press | 8:06 PM, May. 8, 2012 Florida Medicaid officials have asked...
On Guard for Seniors during Elder Law month in Florida
May is Elder Law Month in Florida, as proclaimed by the governor and cabinet. It is a time when we urge all Floridians to become aware of the issues that face our most vulnerable population. The Florida Department of Financial Services "On Guard for Seniors" program...
VA Nursing Home Care & Other Options
Did you know that nursing home care is not the only program that the VA offers to its Veterans? Other services that the VA will help pay for include geriatric evaluations, respite care, adult day care, home-based care and hospice care. If the Veteran has a 50% or...
What you need to know about Medicaid in 2012
Medicaid provides Medical coverage to low income individuals and families. The state and federal government share the costs of the Medicaid program. Medicaid services in Florida are administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Medicaid eligibility in...
Cost of Living Adjustment increases aid for Veterans
President Obama signed the Veteran’s Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 on November 9, 2011 which increases the rates of veterans’ disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans,...
VA Benefits you might not know existed
Did you know that if you or a family member served in the armed services during a time of war that there may be a benefit available to help pay for nursing home care (or assisted living or other medical expenses)? A little known pension benefit payable to veterans...
The benefits of using an elder law attorney for Medicaid Planning
I had a phone call today from a lady who was concerned about some “Medicaid planning” she had received through a non-elder law attorney firm. The nursing home in which her father resided had suggested she go to this firm of non-attorneys to discuss obtaining Medicaid...
What is a geriatric care manager and how could one help my family?
I am a big advocate of using geriatric care managers to help families, especially when the elder’s children live out of state or far away. A geriatric care manager (GCM) can help families cope with the challenges such as helping the family to identify problems or...
Florida Guardianship: How does the state determine “incapacitation”?
How is someone found to be incapacitated? Any person can file a petition with the court stating that they believe an individual to be incapacitated. The court then appoints an examining committee of three people to evaluate the individual and render an opinion of...
Florida Lawmakers Put Elderly on “Wait List”
Medicaid Managed Care in Florida A recent article published by the News Service of Florida points out that new Florida legislation enacted to "improve" care for seniors, will actually lead to more of the same...a wait list for the elderly in Florida. The Medicaid...
Protect Florida’s Seniors: Tell Florida’s CMS Florida is not ready for Long Term Managed Care
I am elder law attorney, but more importantly, I am an advocate for the elderly. As we all know, the Medicaid waiver request seeks to expand the pilot project to include Florida's seniors under a long term care managed care model. Within this model, the managed care...