A recent bill proposed by Oklahoma Representative Mark Mullin seeks to put some limits on the over-use of annuities in Medicaid planning. Ever since the passage of OBRA ’93 and the resulting HCFA Transmittal 64, excess resources have been allowed to be converted into a narrowly prescribed single premium immediate annuity (SPIA). The bill, H.R. […]
H.R. 181 seeks to force a community spouse to contribute income from a Medicaid annuity towards the cost of care of a community spouse. This proposed legislation is ill-advised and punitive to the most vulnerable among us, elderly spouses of those in nursing homes who have struggled to save all of their lives. This measure […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – the government entity that runs Medicare and Medicaid – has proposed a rule change that takes effect this month. For the first time, it bans pre-dispute arbitration clauses from nursing home admissions contracts. As you can imagine, elder advocates are applauding the return of the right […]
CMS Releases 2016 Spousal Impoverishment Figures CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has released the new annual spousal impoverishment and SSI figures for 2016. CMS has there will be NO change from 2015 figures. Here is a quick recap of the new figures and what they mean: 2016 ASSET LIMITS: The 2016 minimum Community Spousal […]
In August, President Obama signed into law the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (“NOTICE Act”). This Act will greatly help families who transition from a hospital to a nursing home and are looking for Medicare payment while they can organize their affairs to move towards Medicaid qualification. The NOTICE Act […]
According to FINRA, of the hundreds of financial designations there are currently only seven financial designations in the United States that have achieved a notable level of accreditation. Accreditation is a difficult process for any certification to go through because it measures a program’s capabilities against very high standards. You must truly be careful what […]
July marked the 50th year anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signature, creating the federal and state health care program called Medicaid. In 1965, Medicaid was designed to provide health care for people as well as serve the many different needs of everyone in the country. Today, the program provides health care to one in […]
July marked the 50th year anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signature, creating the federal and state health care program called Medicaid. In 1965, Medicaid was designed to provide health care for people as well as serve the many different needs of everyone in the country. Today, the program provides health care to one in […]
An aging population has increased the need for long-term care Medicaid planning and advisors who are qualified to provide quality planning assistance. With the NCCA accreditation of the Certified Medicaid Planner™ designation, legal, financial and medical professionals around the country are looking to get certified to enhance their professional careers and stand out in their […]
Jimmo v. Sebelius In 2007, Glenda Jimmo – a 78-year old Vermont mother of 4 – lost her right leg from Diabetes. Medicare will typically provide 20 days of full coverage and an additional 80 days of partial coverage for skilled care following a hospital stay. However, she was denied Medicare coverage as her condition […]