Elder Law News

I will be at the YMCA of Scotch Plains at 12 pm and 7 pm on October 23rd to discuss the Affordable Care Act and answer questions about the Medicaid expansion, access to health insurance subsidies and the ins and outs of the health insurance mandate.  At noon we will also be talking about Obamacare’s impact on Medicare.  Come one come all!!

It’s been a rocky start, but the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) opened up their Health Insurance Marketplace so that people without employer-sponsored health insurance can sign up for insurance coverage starting January 1, 2014.  There are subsidies for people whose household income is between 134 and 400% of poverty, using an income calcuation that is “Modified Adjusted Gross...

Yesterday’s USA Today highlighted a public campaign to educate patients, their families and the medical community about common but unneeded and possibly harmful medical treatments and tests, especially in the area of psychotropic drugs in children and the elderly.  Look at these two “top five” lists from long-term care and geriatric physicians about what tests, meds and...

With the news that Pennsylvania will be joining the ranks of states taking the federal Medicaid expansion, New Jerseyan can breathe easy that their neighbors on all sides will have expanded Medicaid just like they will.  The ACA and the Medicaid program’s expansion will start open enrollment on October 1st for January 1st eligibility.  Have questions about the Affordable Care Act and how...

Check out this new article from the Gateway Chamber’s “Inside Business“ featuring our own Linda S. Ershow-Levenberg discussing the importance of financial planning for long-term care, including considering the costs and benefits of long-term care insurance.  Read the whole issue of Inside Business–it features several great articles on aging, long-term care and health care!

Any movie with Babe the Pig’s owner in it is sure to be worth seeing. It doesn’t hurt that the subject is an aging couple trying to figure out how to hold onto their independence, despite legal and medical conundrums. Check it out!

Seth just reported on the brand-new Supreme Court decision that declared certain parts of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.  I previously wrote about the state of Medicaid benefits in the DOMA era here.  Now, post-DOMA, all eyes are on New Jersey to see if we will stick with civil unions or pass an actual gay marriage bill.  If we stick with civil unions, it would appear to me that...

Sometimes the hardest part about Elder Law is knowing when you are in a position to help an older adult into a better, healthier, more sustainable lifestyle and when you are going to be told to “mind your own beeswax!” by the older adult you want to help.  Many times, we meet with friends, neighbors and family members of elders who may need help (similar to this advice column) but...

The FDIC just released a terrific pamphlet on how older adults should be prepared to avoid consumer scams and other forms of elder exploitation.  Called “Money Smarts for Older Adults,” it is worth printing out, then sit back, make yourself a cup of tea, and read it!  Then when you have questions about particular things in it, feel free to give us a call to discuss how their...

A while ago I wrote that New Jersey was taking the federal funds to expand Medicaid to those under 138% of poverty. This is based on  a person’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income–no asset test, no lookback.  if you are an adult tax dependant and you think you are earning less than this, consider filing your own return, or talk to an accountant. Many of our clients and their families...