Medicaid Planning

09 Jun WHAT IS A MILLER TRUST?

Posted at 09:14h in Beneficiary, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Social Security, Trusts

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**Please note that the Medicaid income and asset limitations are subject to change, please click here for 2018 Medicaid Numbers** Although “Miller” or “Qualified Income” Trusts have been around for over twenty years (this author has been doing them since they were first approved in Texas in...

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21 Apr Credit for Caring Act proposed by Congress

Posted at 09:13h in Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home

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In an effort to help family caregivers who take care of a family member (whether young or old) needing care at home and to give an incentive for the caregiver to work at least part-time (earned income in excess of $7,500 in a year), both...

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14 Apr Ladybird Deed vs. Transfer on Death Deed

Posted at 09:28h in Estate Planning, Home Equity, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Mortgage, Nursing Home, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Transfer of Death

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Many elder law attorneys have pondered whether to use the traditional enhanced life estate deed (also known as a Ladybird Deed) or the new statutory Transfer on Death Deed since both work to avoid estate recovery – the right of the government to make a...

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25 Feb HEALTH CARE SPENDING OVERTAKES SOCIAL SECURITY

Posted at 10:17h in Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Social Security

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The Congressional Budget Office recently reported that spending on programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, including the additional subsidies resulting from the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), has resulted in exceeding Social Security spending for the first time in history. A total of $936 billion was...

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21 Jan State Attorney Generals Attack Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements

Posted at 10:12h in Assisted Living, Elder Justice, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home

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At the present time, most nursing homes require residents or their “responsible party” to sign a nursing home admission agreement which binds the resident to arbitration instead of giving them the right to sue the facility if the facility is either negligent or is in...

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11 Dec Congressional Bill Limits Use of Annuities in Medicaid Planning

Posted at 16:42h in Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security

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The House of Representatives has a proposed bill (HR 1771) that would change long established rules for the use of single premium immediate annuities in planning for the protection of a well-spouse (commonly referred to as the “community spouse”) if his or her spouse needs...

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14 Nov GOVERNMENT PAID NURSING HOME CARE COSTS FOR APPLICANTS WITH AN IRA GETS EASIER

Posted at 06:00h in Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement

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Due to a recent interpretation of the term “annuity” by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Medicaid coverage (such as payment of nursing home care costs and drugs) for an applicant with an IRA just became easier. Retirement accounts, such as an IRA or...

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07 Nov STAGGERING INCREASE IN MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS AVERTED BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET DEAL

Posted at 06:00h in Disability Benefits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes

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The President has signed the  “Bipartisan Budget Act  of 2015” on November 2 , 2015  that otherwise could have resulted in as much as thirty percent of Medicare beneficiaries seeing a fifty two percent increase in their monthly Medicare Part B premiums (which cover doctor’s...

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31 Oct GOVERNMENT PAID HOME CARE NOW EASIER TO GET

Posted at 06:00h in Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Social Security

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In situations where one spouse needs care (i.e., assistance with activities of daily living) at home, it just became easier to obtain Medicaid coverage where the government pays someone to give care at home. Until the law became effective as of October 1, 2015, the...

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29 Oct Michael spoke at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation

Posted at 16:35h in Disability Benefits, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Social Security

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On October 13 Michael B. Cohen spoke at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation on issues including Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Medicaid Buy-In and other Medicaid programs. We are currently scheduling speaking engagements for 2016. Please call our office if...

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