Will Christie Expand Medicaid?
The Supreme Court decision on “Obamacare” left governors around the country with the option of taking significant federal monies (100% of cost for first three years, 90% thereafter) to expand Medicaid to anyone whose modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than 133% of the poverty level. Many governors, including New Jersey’s own Gov. Christie, have not made up their...
Are You Ready for Mandatory Social Security Direct Deposit?
On March 1st, 2013, all recipients of any Social Security, VA or other federal income benefit must be set up with a direct deposit account for their checks. This will be mandatory for EVERYONE! If you don’t want to do direct deposit, the feds will set up a debit card for you. Make sure you’re set up for this before the deadline!
Do you have one of those Suze Orman Organizers?
Look, this blog isn’t about advertising for certain products, but this one (or something like it) is very necessary. I just did a client visit to a homebound lady whose husband was in a nursing home and needed Medicaid right away, and she had her Suze organizer on her kitchen table, and it was a breeze accessing all of her and her husband’s critical documents: estate planning...
What the Heck is a Medical Home???
That was my first question when I started reading up on Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (though not my last–there is just so much going on in health care policy these days!!). But the answer is here–right here in Toms River, New Jersey. A Medical Home is one way to coordinate and encourage primary care within various communities and health plans. And the ACA is all about...
No More Annual Eligibility Verification Reports for VA Pension
In welcome news for many aging veterans and surviving spouses who receive pension through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA will no longer require those recipients to file annual Eligibility Verification Reports (EVR). More information about the VA pension programs can be found in an earlier blog post at...
Boomers–Watch out for Medicare Pitfalls!
This great article in Fortune lays out the most common mistakes people make when enrolling in Medicare. Check it out!!!
And Boomers–it’s never to early to call us to discuss questions about Medicare, Social Security, Long-Term Care Insurance and Estate Planning (you probably have wills that list Guardians for your kids who are now grown, right?)!!
Tis the Season…to See How Mom and Dad are Doing
Check out this useful screed in the Saramento Bee about how to best use holiday visiting to assess how elderly parents and relatives are doing at home, and what conversations need to be broached if it looks like those loved ones are less than completely independent.
Sandy Aftermath: Clients, We Want to Hear from You!
Fink Rosner Ershow-Levenberg is open (during our regular business hours) and we want to hear from you, our clients! If you need to charge up your cell phone, then give us a call or send an email to let us know how you and your loved ones are doing, and if you need an appointment, or need to reschedule.
Medicare Improvement Standard is No More!
Big news for those dealing with Medicare rehabilitation stints–and that’s a lot of our clients!! A class action settlement by the Centers for Medicare Advocacy will force Medicare to do what it should have been doing all along–give rehabilitation benefits to those who need them in order to maintain their functioning or prevent further deterioration, rather than forcing them...
Senior Drivers: Resources for You
Different states handle the issue of seniors driving differently. New Jersey is currently considering legislation to increase the amount of conditions your doctor would report to the MVC if he or she thought it would affect your driving. In the meantime, check out this terrific website from AAA on being a senior driver. Tons of resources for driving self-tests, improving driving skills and...