It’s a new year and with it come a few changes to Medicare. The good news is that Medicare Part B premiums remain at $104.90 per month if your income is below $85,000, and if your income is above $85,000 your premiums for doctor visits...
On November 26, 2014, the Oregon Court of Appeals decided that the state agency’s attempt to expand estate recovery (where the state goes after the resources of a Medicaid recipient after such person’s death) was improper. Oregon had amended its rules so that the state...
As a result of the Congressional passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015 on December 12, 2014, disabled children of military families have been given the right to have their parents’ survivor benefits to go into a special needs trust. Until this...
Veterans who served during wartime (not dishonorably discharged), or the surviving spouse of the wartime veteran, will be getting a slight increase (considered a pension) to be used for care at home, assisted living facilities or in a nursing home from the Department of Veterans...
On December 16, 2014, Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) which allows adults and children with disabilities whose disability occurred before age 26 to shelter up to the annual gift tax exclusion amount (presently $14,000) per year into an account which...
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is increasing the amount taxpayers can deduct from their 2015 taxes as a result of buying long-term care insurance. Premiums for “qualified” long-term care insurance policies (see explanation below) are tax deductible to the extent that they, along with other unreimbursed...
Although nothing of particular significance is expected during the present Congressional lame-duck session other than passing a short-term bill to fund the government, there are two bills that elder law attorneys are hoping for passage to help the needs of their clients. One bill that possibly...
An Elderly Pennsylvania husband and wife are being asked to pay their deceased adult son’s medical bills under a law making family members responsible for a loved one’s unpaid bills. The case is a reminder that such “filial responsibility” laws may go both ways –...
Ladybird deeds, which are commonly used to avoid probate and to avoid claims by the state if the property owner receives Medicaid benefits, are under attack. This is a red flag to all Texans whose biggest asset is their home and who have inadequate insurance...
The White House has announced additional measures to improve the Five Star rating system of Medicare. In last month’s issue of the Texas Elder Law E-letter, we reported about some of the flaws of the current system including certain facilities increasing staff before inspections, etc....
