Medicare beneficiaries often buy “Medigap” insurance that pays for many of regular Medicare’s deductibles and copayments. But as a result of legislation just passed by Congress, starting in 2020 Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to offer coverage of the Medicare Part B deductible, which is currently $147 (in 2015). However, current Medigap policyholders Read more about Congress Schedules End to Insurance Coverage of Medicare Part B Deductible[…]

Can a person apply for Medicaid before assets are spent down to below $2,000? Once assets are down to $2,000, who is responsible for paying the nursing home costs while waiting for Medicaid approval—the wife, the children?  Yes, people can apply for benefits before they are eligible, with the approval taking effect on the date Read more about Who Pays the Nursing Home While Waiting for Medicaid Approval?[…]

The median cost of a private nursing home room in the United States has increased 4.2 percent to $91,250 a year, according to the 2015 edition of a Cost of Care survey that the insurer Genworth has conducted for the past 12 years.  Genworth reports that the median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing Read more about Cost of Private Nursing Home Room Now Averaging $91,250[…]

A power of attorney may seem like a simple document, but there are several important decisions that need to be made when creating one. From whom to appoint to what powers to grant, care and consideration should be put into each choice. A power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents Read more about Decisions to Make for Your Power of Attorney[…]

My sister holds the power of attorney (POA) for our mother, but I think she is stealing from my mother. How do I go about getting the POA transferred to me? What documents do I need?  If your mother is still legally competent, she can revoke her existing durable power of attorney and execute a Read more about How Can My Mother Revoke Power of Attorney From My Sister?[…]