COVID-19 Related News and Articles

As the CARES Act implementation gears up, one question that we elder law attorneys have had  was how the cash payments would affect ongoing eligibility for means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid. These are the “economic impact payments” being sent to taxpayers.  If you get benefits from a program with a resource limit of $2000 and you get another $1,200 automatically, will...

The Middlesex County NJ Assignment Judge has issued a Notice with details concerning procedures for filing and handling of cases in Middlesex County now that the courts are closed to in-person proceedings.  mcba_county_procedures_3-31-     Depending on the court, cases can be initiated electronically or by mail or drop off in an outside mailbox; mail is being held for 24 hours before...

One of the most heartbreaking things about this emergency is the prohibition of in person visitation of loved ones who were already declining in facilities.  Communication with facilities is less than ideal.  Now, more than ever, healthcare workers need to know where legal decision-makers stand on treatments and possible interventions, because one never knows when COVID-19 will take hold. The...

As COVID-19 affects employment nationwide, more New Jerseyans will need to make strategic decisions about health insurance and tax filing this year.  Marketplace insurance and MAGI Medicaid are based on your 2020 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).  There is special enrollment for a change in employment status. MAGI will include any unemployment you collect as well as any distributions from...

Much of our work in the area of guardianships, probate and estate administration involves our County Surrogates.  As we continue to adjust to working with COVID-19, be aware that each Surrogate Office is adjusting their hours and policies to deal with the pandemic. The overview of changed hours and policies in each county can be found here.  In Union County, the new hours are Mon. & Thurs....

You are no doubt encountering questions and challenges right now related to everything from employment to health insurance to online bill-paying to gaining access to your loved ones in health care facilities.Here we compile some really useful sources and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to click through to find information you can use for your situation. Resources from NJ Department of...

  New Jersey’s Medicaid program normally has a lot of rules and red tape.  Some of the rules relate to who meets the level of care for Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and some relate to financial eligibility.  All of these rules require travel and manpower to implement that may not be available during this pandemic emergency. Federal Medicaid law has a type of waiver of Medicaid...

Medicare Part A covers post-hospitalization, subacute skilled care and rehabilitation benefits for individuals who were admitted to the hospital and remained as inpatients for at least three overnights. Upon discharge to a subacute facility with a need for ongoing skilled nursing or rehabilitative services, Medicare would cover up to 100 days of treatment including the room & board costs,...

The State of New Jersey Department of Human Services has announced some initiatives designed to help assure continuity of care, access to medicine and nutrition assistance, for individuals who are dependent on programs such as SNAP, group homes, charity medical care, MLTSS home care and services in certain DDD-funded programs. As always, the real test will be in the details for how these...

Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary outpatient testing for beneficiaries. CMS has recently advised that if testing is ordered by the patient’s physician and the test is performed on or after February 4, 2020, it will be a covered service under Medicare Part B. Read more here. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is issuing fact sheets and alerts that address...