Medicare Rehabilitation Standard Finally Revised
The long awaited update for Medicare rehabilitative services coverage is finally here. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finally updated its Medicare manual regarding coverage for patients receiving rehabilitative services. This necessary change will help patients and their families advocate for additional Medicare covered services. Under traditional Medicare, the first twenty (20)…
Beware Arbitration Clauses Hidden in Nursing Home Admission Contracts
You have seen in my blogs and articles I always say, “Do not sign a nursing home admission agreement that makes you the ‘responsible party’.” That language creates a legal obligation to financially pay for the care if the resident does not pay the facility. If a person other than the resident is signing the admission…
The Affordable Care Act Benefits the LGBTQ Community
HOW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BENEFITS THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY During his two terms in office President Obama has supported the LGBTQ community in a myriad of ways including: the Patient Visitation Act, repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the military, and supporting the repeal of DOMA. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) click here which debuts January…
Rights For LGBTQ Individuals Continue To Advance
On Monday December 23, 2013, a federal judge in Ohio ruled that the state must recognize gay marriages by identifying the surviving spouse on a death certificate. The ruling was based on two lawsuits filed in July 2013 by two surviving gay spouses. Ohio does not recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. When the U.S. Supreme…
2014: New Rules; New New Year’s Resolutions!
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014 2013 introduced significant legal and social developments in our country such as: the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor resulting in federal rights being available to married same sex couples individuals delaying their retirement age due to increased life expectancies, weakened retirement systems and poor financial planning and states like…
Key Tax & Financial Figures for Estate Planning in 2014
Important Figures to Know As You Plan for 2014 Beginning January 1, 2014, several federal agencies will be providing cost of living increases to select government programs and tax related laws. Be sure you have current information before you take steps to qualify for Medicaid or, make gifts and certainly discuss it with your accountant. Here…
Pet Trusts
Your Beloved Pet Deserves a Pet Trust Recently, more people are including their pets in their estate plan. In 2012 a Tennessee resident died and provided for the future care of his two casts in his Last Will & Testament. He has left $250,000.00 and his home to Frisco and Jake. The monies that remain after…
Lessons I Learned from my Father
My father, Howard Schneider, died on November 16, 2013. When I graduated law school my father told me that the experience would serve me well and he was right. My father’s legacy is his work ethic, the importance of one’s character and credibility, and the bravery he exhibited living with Parkinson’s. I am grateful for his legacy as it…
How Much Does a Simple Estate Plan Cost?
Ever since the United States economy tanked in 2008, along with the downturn in the Florida real estate market, I’ve observed that a lot of people became frozen by the fear of not having enough money and delayed seeking elder law advice to resolve important legal issues. Many families found themselves in a legal crisis.…
How to Find a Healthcare Advocate
Choosing A Healthcare Fiduciary Now that you are motivated to have legal documents prepared to designate a medical decision-maker in the event of your incapacity you might find yourself asking “whom should I name?” This question is not uncommon especially for people who: are not married or are divorced or whose spouse is deceased or…
