Most Medicare enrollees have suffered phone calls, commercials, and mailings trying to entice them into switching plans, but how do you know when these offerings are legitimate? If you are feeling pressured into joining a plan, it is important to remember that many insurance agents and brokers may receive a large fee for securing your…
Every year there are a few tweaks and changes to Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those 65 and older. The most predictable changes: increased premiums and deductibles. 2022 brings the largest Medicare Part B increase in history–a $21.60 increase. The 2022 premium is $170.10. Medicare Part B covers physician appointments and outpatient services. …
What does the 3-Day Prior Hospitalization waiver extension mean for seniors seeking skilled nursing facility-level care? Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued several waivers in response to the Public Health Emergency. These waivers were scheduled through at least January 2022. In January, it was determined that…
On January 11, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed that Medicare would offer Aduhelm coverage. Aduhelm is a drug for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease, only as part of a clinical trial approved by CMS or supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The trial will help to generate…
Are you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period? While annual open enrollment has come to a close, that does not necessarily mean that you missed your opportunity to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan or your Medicare part D prescription drug plan. If you have Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, meaning…
As 2021 draws to a close, there are important 2022 elder law numbers that should be paid attention to by seniors and their loved ones. With these new changes in mind, now is the time to plan finances ahead of the year to come. 2022 Medicare Numbers The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)…
The VA Aid and Attendance program is helping veterans across the nation receive home care and avoid the need for leaving their surroundings for a nursing facility. Below we discuss the details of this program and the eligibility for seniors who have served to receive these helpful benefits. Very few people, if any, plan to…
While many people are currently assessing their health insurance options for fall’s Open Enrollment, running from October 15 through December 7, some may have questions about their options regarding Medicare, Medigap policies, and Guaranteed Issue Rights. If you are enrolled in or interested in enrolling in a Medigap policy, these policies are not subject to…
As an attorney for Rothkoff Law Group, I help support our Public Benefits staff with complicated Medicaid issues and unexpected application outcomes when applying for Medicaid. As a result, I have found the internal processes of state Medicaid agencies processing Medicaid applications do not always comply with state and federal Medicaid laws, often to the…
Congress is gearing up to pass a budget reconciliation package, and there are several important Medicare provisions affecting seniors, including first-time Medicare coverage for vision, hearing, and dental care. These Medicare provisions are proposed to phase in vision, hearing, and dental benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2028, respectively. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated…
