Archive for May 2017
Nursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples – Rental Properties
Here’s a great question that we received just the other day: My wife has moved into a nursing home. In addition to our home, we own two rental properties. Our income is good, but it is not enough to pay for the nursing home. We are receiving mixed information about whether or not she can…
Read MoreFrightening Superbug Data
A superbug is defined as a pathogenic microorganism, especially a bacterium, that has developed resistance to the medications normally used against it. Hospitals and nursing homes are able to keep lethal superbug outbreaks a secret, due to vague rules that give healthcare providers great leeway in deciding when or whether to report unusual clusters of…
Read MoreNursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples –Should I divorce my spouse?
Every once in awhile we are asked about using divorce as a Medicaid planning tool. The reasoning goes that if the well spouse has over $120,900, that spouse may want to avoid spending those assets on nursing home care as well as the Medicaid Estate Recovery. A “Medicaid Divorce” could do just that. So should…
Read MoreRetirees Going to College
Retirees have a variety of options to take college-level classes at affordable prices and sometimes even for free. Here are some ways to increase your knowledge in retirement, without straining your bank account. Audit classes for free. Retirees who audit college classes get to attend interesting lectures, but no grades or credits are provided. For example, Florida residents…
Read MoreLifelong Learning and Living
There are many advantages for older Americans to seek out a college community as their new place of residence. They might be looking for intellectual stimulation, cultural amenities and sports offerings without high urban price tags. They may either want a return to their college roots, their alma mater, or perhaps a place they imagine…
Read MoreNursing Home Medicaid–What About IRAs?
For many individuals, retirement savings are their largest asset. And when facing nursing home care, the rules about Medicaid and IRAs can be very confusing. So, how do IRAs (and pensions, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, etc.) affect Medicaid eligibility? Will a large IRA disqualify a nursing home resident for Medicaid? For those who are receiving payments from…
Read MoreCelebrating National Nurses Appreciation Week – May 6-12, 2017
Nurses play an important role in patients’ lives. Many times we see clients overwhelmed with gratitude for the care their nurses provide. Our clients are often surprised to learn that we have a registered nurse (RN) on our staff. We find that this adds tremendous value to our clients and to our firm in general.…
Read MoreNursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples –The Medicaid Look Back Does Not Apply to transfers to Spouses
Many have heard of the Medicaid Look Back, but few fully understand this aspect of Medicaid. When someone applies for Medicaid, they are asked about any gifts or transfers of assets for the 5 years (or 6o months) prior to applying for Medicaid. This is the government’s way of deterring people from purposefully impoverishing themselves…
Read MoreTraveling with an Older Person
An article from Travel Channel by By: Meredith Rosenberg has great tips for traveling with the elderly. Following these suggestions can help provide a stress-free trip for the older person and the entire family. Consider stairs and walking distances. Know the layout of your hotel and check on the availability of a wheelchair. Check out, prior…
Read MoreNursing Home Medicaid for Married Couples—What if we already get VA Benefits?
The Aid and Attendance Benefit offered to wartime veterans is often used to pay for assisted living care or home care (https://hurleyeclaw.com/practice-areas/veterans-aid-attendance/). What if a couple is living in an assisted living community and receiving the VA Aid and Attendance Benefits when nursing home care is needed for the wartime veteran? In a situation like…
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