New Medicaid and VA Figures for 2017 #2017Medicaidnumbers
It’s time to update the numbers for many of the government programs that affect our clients’ lives and that we work with so often. I am talking about cost of living adjustments for the new year. For 2017, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security recipients will receive a
Important Change to Special Needs Trust Law
In 1993 Congress enacted a law commonly referred to as OBRA 1993. The law contained major changes to the Medicaid laws. Included in the law was a provision permitting the creation of a special needs trust for disabled individuals under the age of 65, into which could be placed
How Medicaid Treats Life Insurance (Part 2)
Last week I was talking about life insurance as it affects eligibility for Medicaid. While term insurance has no value while the insured is alive and only provides a payment at the death of the insured, other types of life insurance – namely whole life and universal life –
How Medicaid Treats Life Insurance (Part 1)
Medicaid requires the applicant to spend down all assets to under $2000 before approving an application for benefits. The question comes up frequently about life insurance. Is it an asset and if so, what is the value? In order to answer that question, we must examine what kind of
John Hancock Latest to Drop Long Term Care
Two weeks ago John Hancock, one of the largest providers of long term care insurance announced it is withdrawing from the market. It will stop selling new long term care insurance policies. John Hancock currently has sold more than 1.2 million policies nationwide. What does it all mean? Hancock
Home for the Holidays (Part 2)
Last week I was talking about changes in loved ones we may notice around holiday time, simply because we may be returning home after some time away. So what can or should you do about it? A physical and neurological exam should identify any medical issues. A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)
Home for the Holidays (Part 1)
Once again the holiday season is upon us, a time of joy but also stress. I’ve written about this issue in the past but it bears repeating. We often visit family members we haven’t seen in some time and that’s when changes in older loved ones become more noticeable. Some
When to Sell the Home (Part 2)
Last week I told you that Dave called because his dad needs to go to a nursing home and he is now in “spend down mode”. He plans to sell the home, spend down the proceeds from the sale and then apply for Medicaid. A straight forward, sound approach?
When To Sell The Home
Dave called me because his dad had just recently suffered a stroke and was in the hospital but ready to be discharged. Dave told me, “Dad can’t go home. We’ve been able to keep a promise we made to keep him home but at this point the family recognizes
Terminal Illness and Chronic Care Rider – A Substitute for Long Term Care Insurance? Part 2
Last week I was sharing with you Mary’s story. She had been considering the purchase of a life insurance based long term care (LTC) policy to protect her against the cost of long term care. She was then shown a life insurance policy with a terminal illness and chronic