Blog: Elder Law
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...
NO DATA … WRONG DATA … BAD DATA … DISASTER.
I am elder law attorney, but more importantly, I am an advocate for the elderly. As we all know, this 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...
Your Chance to Make a Difference: Attend A Florida Public Medicaid Reform Hearing
Now that the legislature and the Governor have approved Medicaid Reform, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) must seek permission from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (the federal government) to expand the waiver program to...
Medicaid Diversion and Waiver programs to get new enrollees
Some good news did come out of the Florida legislative session this year – they managed to budget for 1000 new slots under the Medicaid Diversion program (which helps pay for the cost of care in assisted living facilities) and 1250 new slots for the Medicaid...
Florida Medicaid Reform Legislation – Legal Update
Many of you have seen me tweeting and posting on Facebook regarding the need to contact your legislators about the Medicaid Reform legislation that was happening this season in Florida. Luckily, for our seniors, two changes were put on hold (at least for now). The...
Legislative Update: Florida Elderly First on HMO List
By Carol Gentry 05/12/11 C Health News Florida Until now, Florida's plans to transfer Medicaid patients into managed care have focused on children and families, not the sick and frail elderly who need constant care. The assumption was that HMOs' complicated rules...
Downsizing, Organizing, Handicap Remodeling or Relocating
When Robert and Anne bought their family home thirty years ago, their plan was to live through retirement in this home. They had furnished their home with refurbished antiques acquired from their many trips together. It was one of their cherished antique coffee tables...
Need Long Term Care? Use your home equity
For many seniors the equity in their home is their largest single asset, yet it is unavailable to use unless they use a home equity loan. But a conventional loan really doesn't free up the equity because the money has to be paid back with interest. A reverse mortgage...