Medicare has published new rules spelling out the changes, and an education campaign aimed at healthcare providers began in January. But many healthcare providers haven't grasped it, either. As you may know, Medicare has recently undergone a big change affecting long-term care and the availability of skilled nursing or therapy.…
Much is undoubtedly delivered with great love and compassion. But, sadly, it is also provided by family members who have no caregiving skills. Deciding on medical care later in life or setting it up for a loved one is a difficult process that should be thoroughly evaluated. While there are many…
Choosing whether assisted living would be the right option can be a complex decision requiring a dispassionate evaluation of the situation and careful consideration. The challenges of helping an aging parent plan for their late-in-life care can be strenuous. There are financial, medical and even emotional aspects of this type…
What does this mean? Imagine you have a severe stroke. Before Jimmo, most people thought Medicare would pay for physical therapy only as long as that PT was helping you get better. For instance, Medicare would pay if therapy helped increase the number of steps you could walk without assistance.…
If a beneficiary disagrees with a decision, there are reconsideration and appeals procedures within the Medicare program. Medicare approvals can be tough at times, and some may find their claims come up with the big "D" – denial. So what happens when Medicare denies a beneficiary’s claim for care? While…
“Hopefully, older adults who previously were unable to afford to see a therapist will now be more likely to do so,” said Andrea Callow, a policy lawyer with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Now that 2014 is officially here, it's time to start reviewing the Obamacare provisions that went into…
The nation's elderly and disabled Social Security recipients will receive a 1.5 percent increase in payments in 2014. The same COLA will apply to pensions for federal government retirees and most veterans. According to recent news from the Social Security Administration, the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) made to Social…