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American’s Month and National Elder Law Month. The (Carlisle, PA) Sentinel’s article, “Elder Care: Elder law vs. elder care,” says that if you open any telephone book or do a search online, a number of attorneys will advertise the practice of elder Call it elder law or elder care, it often takes both to help seniors blaze a trail in their senior years Reference: The (Carlisle, PA) Sentinel (April 27, 2016) “Elder Care: Elder law vs. elder care” #ElderLaw

million cases of dementia are diagnosed each year and is most prevalent among people 65 years old or older

worried about yourself or elderly loved ones falling victim to these types senior scams, call our Houston elder

KOMO News recently ran a news item, “Daughters of Casey Kasem, Peter Falk tackle elder visitation,” which in several states to provide a way for close friends and relatives to visit ailing or incapacitated elder support, as some feel the new legislation is unnecessary and that the current laws protecting vulnerable elders Another proposal Kasem supports is one that requires a guardian to tell close relatives and friends if an elder Reference: KOMO News (January 31, 2016) “Daughters of Casey Kasem, Peter Falk tackle elder visitation

One state’s private Medicaid managers are coming under scrutiny for failing to pay bills on time. Iowa’s warning: if private Medicaid managers don’t improve their processes, some service providers could be forced to close. According to The Des Moines Register’s article, “Pay Medicaid bills quickly, legislators tell managers,” Medicaid covers about 560,000 poor or disabled Iowans. Hospitals, nursing homes, mental health agencies and other service providers have been complaining for some time that the management companies aren’t paying bills quickly and accurately, but three companies and state human services officials have defended their record. They claim the situation is easing. Senator Liz Mathis’ demand for a solution was at the end of a four-hour Senate hearing before the Human Resources Committee about the transition to private management of Medicaid. Several care providers testified that they have had to borrow money to make their payrolls, and the CEO of one mental health program for children said her agency is owed nearly $1 million for services it has provided to Medicaid clients since April. An executive from another company that owns 30 care centers said his company is short $3 million in such payments. That company started laying off staff members because of the shortfall. The move to private Medicaid management was approved in 2015 by Governor Terry Branstad. The Republican says it will save money and offer more flexible services. Others contend that it’s already leading to cuts in services. The managed-care companies and leaders of Branstad’s Department of Human Services testified that the shift is going smoothly and that most bills are being paid quickly. Many of the others are rejected due to a lack of important information. A report from the Department of Human Services said that the three companies paid out nearly $900 million to service providers from April through June. The payments correlated with about 3.5 million bills, and another 1.7 million bills were kicked back or delayed. The companies claimed that many of the bills either contained incomplete information or were duplicates that agencies submitted while waiting to be paid for earlier bills. The state’s Medicaid director said her staff is working to help service providers understand how to submit bills correctly to be paid promptly. Many of the complaints are from Democratic legislators, but some Republicans have also raised concerns—such as the fact that service providers are still having trouble gaining payments three months after the shift. Cheryl Harding, Amerihealth Caritas’ top Iowa executive, told legislators that she sympathizes with such concerns. “But this implementation has been smoother than many,” she said. Harding estimated it could take 12 to 18 months to “stabilize” the new system. After several legislators questioned her timeline, she said that the situation is already improving and will continue to do so. Reference: Des Moines Register (July 26, 2016) “Pay Medicaid bills quickly, legislators tell managers” #ElderCare #ElderLaw #Medicaid

One couple who wanted to live in a community for people 55 and older in an area they had always admired comeback of reverse mortgages,” reports that reverse mortgages, which allow homeowners age 62 and older equity without facing monthly payments in return, have received a bad rap over the years because of abuses Consult an elder law or estate planning lawyer for more information regarding how this might work for

Doris Selko knows the budget is tight. She’s the Southern Regional Coordinator for West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare. Selko is concerned that officials will try to cut Medicaid—although it’s already “a pretty bare bones program.” She emphasized the need to continue to keep funding it. Selko talked about the program at a Wyoming County Commission meeting in an informational presentation, according to The Pineville WV Independent Herald article, “WVAHC hoping to preserve Medicaid.” What did she have to say? Selko noted that Medicaid funding helps keep clinics and pharmacies going in the area. According to Selko, more than 170,000 West Virginians have been enrolled in Medicaid since January 2014—the majority of whom weren’t previously insured. She commented that more than 60% of Medicaid recipients have a job and that they’re people who work in food service, janitorial service, healthcare and other small businesses that haven’t been able to provide insurance for their employees. There were more than 5,000 veterans who became eligible for Medicaid in January 2014. Medicaid spent $16.6 million in West Virginia, and 8,643 residents (36%) receive health and long-term benefits through the program. It’s a statewide federal program with $3 in federal spending for every $1 by the state. Of those in Wyoming County who participate, 6,107 are eligible because their income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. Another 2,536 are eligible for Medicaid because they are low income elderly persons and/or have a physical or mental disability. The coordinator said that even a five percent cut would make a difference in services. “It would hurt people.” Reference: The Pineville WV Independent Herald (July 26, 2016) “WVAHC hoping to preserve Medicaid” #ElderCare #Insurance #Medicaid

That is where an experienced elder law attorney can help. if you are sure you understand all of your planning options, scheduling a strategy session with an elder To schedule a strategy session with one of our experienced elder law and Medicaid attorneys today, call

the following practice areas to assist with estate plans: Wills Business succession Trusts Probate Elder A will only comes into effect after your passing, leaving your elder years unaccounted for. Working with an estate planning and elder law attorney is the smartest choice in preparing for long-term Medicaid is solely intended to offer medical help to those on a low income or 65 years of age or older Even though many older adults have income and assets over the Medicaid qualifying limit, using irrevocable

Hegwood of Your Legacy Legal Care recently sat down with the Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder to discuss the necessity for guardianship or to put alternative systems of support in place with an elder

whether it is real estate, bank accounts, or investment accounts, you need to consult with not only an elder you need assistance establishing a trust or updating your existing estate plan, call the experienced elder

No one is saying that older folks shouldn’t marry. Elder law attorneys advise that those thinking about marriage later in life, at the time when personal