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.…
Articles Posted in Medicaid Planning
Can You Get Out of Dodge?
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…
Health Care Costs: Integral Part of Retirement Planning
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…
Got Medicaid? Get Prepared, Houston!
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…
Estate Planning for Houston Families without the Stress
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…
Recent Survey Says 80% of Americans Failed Retirement Literacy Test
“We’re not surprised by the fact that people don’t know a lot about retirement income planning,” says David Littell, program director at the American College. “I was surprised at how badly they did.” Could you pass a retirement literacy test? Apparently, 80 percent of Americans surveyed did not. These Americans…
WWII Vet Victim of Elder Abuse
Through a series of legal maneuvers and Iowa's then-blind eye toward financial elder abuse, his caregiver betrayed the World War II Navy veteran's trust and drained his savings over a number of years, according to friends and court documents. According to an article reported in The Des Moines Register, titled…
Plan Wisely for Medicaid or Else! One State’s Warning
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…
Financial Pointers: Providing Care for Aging Parents in Houston
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…
Long-Term Care Planning for Houston Boomers: Medicare vs. Medicaid
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…