Lillian Palermo tried to prepare for the worst possibilities of aging. An insurance executive with a Ph.D. in psychology and a love of ballroom dancing, she arranged for her power of attorney and health care proxy to go to her husband, Dino, eight years her junior, if she became incapacitated.…
One attorney calls it the "Get out of Dodge plan"—the best way to keep your assets intact before applying for Medicaid to cover nursing home costs. New Jersey is one of the most restrictive states when it comes to permitting residents to preserve assets for their benefit while Medicaid pays…
Consulting financial and tax advisers as part of planning the retirement process is essential to get the health-care piece covered. Enjoying truly golden retirement years means a lot of different things to different people, but it should include planning for long-term health care now so we obtain the end-of-life care…
Here are some "Get's" that will help you prepare for the Medicaid application process. Get going five years before you think you need to. Medicaid has a five-year look back to all your parents' financial dealings. Which means transactions conducted during that time may be counted in determining their program…
Wouldn’t knowing someone will step in if you become incapacitated create a little peace of mind? Wouldn’t knowing that your family is taken care of create even more peace of mind? Wouldn’t knowing there is a plan in place – a plan you developed – if something happens to you…
This case has drawn plenty of attention due to its legal and financial implications. Essentially, the case has escalated to the point of a federal judge warning state regulators that she would consider issuing an order to drop Ohio from Medicaid enrollment altogether, leaving the Buckeye State without federal funds to provide medical care for…
Medical research confirms one of the first things people have trouble with in the very early stages of dementia is managing personal finances. This means people can make very expensive financial mistakes, often before anyone notices there is a problem. I have seen this happen, and it is heartbreaking. You…
Dealing with aging parents is not only tough emotionally, but financially. As one's parents age, financial and health care discussions are essential for families to have in order to plan ahead for any care they may require. A recent Newsday article, titled"Money Fix: The cost of caregiving," tackled this tough…
Although their names are confusingly alike, Medicaid and Medicare are quite different programs. What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? There are strict income and asset guidelines that must be satisfied to be eligible for Medicaid coverage. While Medicare is solely a federal program, Medicaid is a joint state-federal…