When a family member enters a nursing home or assisted living, it is an emotional and overwhelming time. So, generally, a careful review of the admission contract and related documents is not a top priority. Moreover, potential residents or family members who have concerns about certain provisions assume they have little choice, and the contracts are “take it or leave it.”» Read More

It’s Thursday afternoon, and the hospital caseworker tells you that your father is being discharged the next day. She gives you a list of 20 facilities in the area and asks if you have a preference. Now imagine that she comes back the next morning and tells you that the three facilities you chose are not options because your father has a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is accepted only at the facility an hour away.» Read More

This week, I had two experiences, one in my practice and one in my personal life, that reiterated how challenging our health care system is. First, I had to tell a client that while I could get her 19-year-old son DDD services, there is nothing I could do to get him covered by Medicaid during the two-year waiting period for him to become Medicare eligible.*» Read More

On January 19, 2021, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule addressing Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Prescription Programs. The rule is far-reaching, but I want to touch on some of the provisions particularly relevant to consumer education and access.» Read More

It had been over a year since our geriatric social worker, Lori, and I first met with and wrote about our client Jane, who came to see us because she was concerned about her parents. Since that time there have been many more Janes, all facing similar challenges.» Read More

In the final days of 2020, the President signed the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act. This new law eliminates the five-month waiting period for individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) before they can receive Social Security Disability benefits. Many people do not know that if you become disabled and can no longer work, you must wait five months before collecting Social Security disability benefits.» Read More

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to present the Special Needs Spotlight Webinar Series. In this session, “Administering Special Needs Trusts,” Shana Siegel, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Elder Care & Special Needs Law Practice Group, addressed special needs trusts.» Read More

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to present the Special Needs Spotlight Webinar Series. In this session, “Understanding Special Needs Trusts,” Shana Siegel, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Elder Care & Special Needs Law Practice Group, addressed special needs trusts.» Read More

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to present the Special Needs Spotlight Webinar Series. In this session, “SSI, SSDI, and SS for DACs,” Shana Siegel, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Elder Care & Special Needs Law Practice Group, addressed the legal and financial assistance available for a Disabled Adult Child (DAC), such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Social Security (SS).» Read More

For years, elder law attorneys have warned clients about a troubling, curious quirk in the Medicare system. Many times, when older patients are hospitalized, instead of being officially admitted, they are placed on “observation status,” which was originally meant as a temporary designation for individuals who were receiving medical care and tests in a hospital setting until they were released, or a diagnosis was made and they were officially admitted.» Read More