Caring for an ailing family member is difficult work, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be unpaid work. There are programs available that allow Medicaid recipients to hire family members as caregivers. All 50 states have programs that provide pay to family caregivers. The programs vary by state, but are generally available to Medicaid recipients, … Continue reading
Category: Wills
Report Ranks States on Nursing Home Quality and Shows Families’ Conflicted Views
A new report that combines nursing home quality data with a survey of family members ranks the best and worst states for care and paints a picture of how Americans view nursing homes. The website Care.com analyzed Medicare’s nursing home ratings to identify the states with the best and worst overall nursing home quality ratings. Using Medicare’s … Continue reading
We’re pleased to announce that Suzy Nelson has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney.
Skipton Law is pleased to announce that Suzy Nelson has joined the firm as an associate. After graduating from Westminster College, Suzy went to the University of Missouri – Columbia Law School. Suzy’s wide array of experience includes clerkships with the Missouri Court of Appeals and Missouri Supreme Court, time in private practice, and experience … Continue reading
Costs of New Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Vary Considerably
We’ve all heard the advice “It pays to shop around,” but this has never been truer than with the current market for long-term care insurance. According to the latest industry figures, the spread between the lowest and highest cost for virtually identical coverage was as high as 243 percent. “This is the largest spread I … Continue reading
Last Year for Couples to Use ‘Claim Now, Claim More’ Later Social Security Strategy
This is the last year that spouses who are turning full retirement age can choose whether to take spousal benefits or to take benefits on their own record. The strategy, used by some couples to maximize their benefits, will not be available to people turning full retirement age after 2019. The claiming strategy — sometimes … Continue reading
Feds Release 2019 Guidelines Used to Protect the Spouses of Medicaid Applicants
In 2019, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in a nursing home (called the “community spouse”) may keep as much as $126,420 without jeopardizing the Medicaid eligibility of the spouse who is receiving long-term care. Called the “community spouse resource allowance,” this is the most that a state may allow a community spouse to … Continue reading
Understanding Medicare’s Hospice Benefit
Medicare’s hospice benefit covers any care that is reasonable and necessary for easing the course of a terminal illness. It is one of Medicare’s most comprehensive benefits and can be extremely helpful to both the terminally ill individual and his or her family, but it is little understood and underutilized. Understanding what is offered ahead of … Continue reading
The Best and Worst States for Protection Against Elder Abuse
The older the population gets, the greater the potential for elder abuse. States have laws in place designed to combat elder abuse, but some states are doing a better job than others. The consumer finance website WalletHub researched the protections in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine which states have the … Continue reading
How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Your Estate Plans During the Holidays
The holidays are a merry time for family and close friends to come together and celebrate. However, having everyone together at the same time and place can also be a good time for some uncomfortable discussions. No one wants to necessarily have the “estate plan talk” during this time, but it is important to speak … Continue reading
Can You Put a Surveillance Camera in a Nursing Home Room?
Technological advances have made it easier to stay connected with loved ones all the time. This has included the ability to install cameras in a loved one’s nursing home room. These so-called “granny cams” have legal and privacy implications. The benefit of putting a surveillance camera in a nursing home is the ability to monitor … Continue reading