Time to Update Your Old Estate Planning Documents?
Many times people will ask me if they need to review their planning that they did many years ago. My answer is always the same- You should be having your estate plan reviewed every three to five years. They are often suprised that they should be doing this as often as recommended. There are three... Read More
Last Chance to Change that Advantage Plan!
We are quickly approaching the deadline to opt-out of a Medicare Advantage Plan for 2011. February 15 is the last day that individuals can opt out of an Advantage Plan for the rest of the year. This is not to say that everyone should dump their Medicare Advantage plans- as many are a very good... Read More
Basics of Medicaid for a Couple
Previously, we have looked at the difference between Medicare coverage of skilled nursing coverage and what happens after that coverage ends. Typically, the individual requiring skilled care will now either go home, become a private pay skilled nursing resident, or qualify for Medicaid benefits. If the person is private pay, they (or their family) will... Read More
Different Types of Special Needs Trusts
We’ve previously discussed what special needs trust are, and how they often can be beneficial for individuals who suffer from various disabilities. These individuals often have substantial medical expenses, and require very substantial help to pay for these expenses, unless they qualify for Medicaid benefits. Medicaid can offer coverage for things such as home care... Read More
Medicare vs. Medicaid benefits- What’s the difference?
In our last post, we discussed how Medicare pays in skilled nursing facilities for “rehab” stays. To summarize, Medicare will pay for most of the costs of someone who has a 3 day hospital stay and then needs to go to skilled nursing for some type of therapy or other skilled need to fully recover. ... Read More
What is a Medicare Stay?
A majority of seniors will spend at least some time in a skilled nursing facility during their lifetime, but most do it in the context of a rehab stay after some event, such as a stroke, fall, or general weakness after illness. These stays are commonly referred to as a Medicare rehab stay. This article... Read More
Article about the Role of Hospice
Very interesting article on a huge difficulty with the current setup of our healthcare system. That problem being the ability to realistically and objectively confront dying. I particularly noted the realities of continuing medical treatment in spite of the fact that there is virtually no medical benefit of these treatments. I can’t help but wonder... Read More
The Weeks Group -Elder Law Attorney
Mike Weeks is one of 13 Certified Elder Law Attorneys in the State of Missouri and is dedicated to going the extra step to prepare your documents and make sure that you are getting high-quality care for a price you can afford.