According to a recent announcement from the New York State Department of Health, the implementation of a Medicaid homecare “lookback” rule has been delayed until at least March 31, 2024. This delay means that people who might have been ineligible for Medicaid homecare benefits due to the lookback rule may now be able to obtain those benefits. However, anyone intending to apply for Medicaid to cover their homecare costs should begin planning now, to avoid potential legal issues when the rule is finally implemented.
When people hear “Medicaid planning,” they assume that it is something for people with little or no assets. However, in reality the people who can potentially benefit the most from Medicaid planning are people who may not currently qualify for it due to having significant monthly income, money in the bank or ownership of property. So how do you know if Medicaid planning may be right for you, and what should you do if you want to incorporate it as part of your estate plan?
The Rent Guidelines Board, which regulates rent stabilized apartments across New York City, is set to increase rents for residents in regulated units by 3.25%, or in some cases, up to 5%. This increase is set to be the largest yearly increase in rents for regulated apartments in years. In total, around two million New Yorkers will be affected by this increase in rents, potentially straining their finances.
If you are getting older, chances are that you have considered how you will pay for your long-term care needs should you need care in your home or in a facility. Long-term care is very expensive and it becomes more difficult to pay for if you will be relying on your savings or other assets. Medicaid may be a viable solution, but first, you may need to consider placing assets into a Medicaid trust to protect your assets and qualify for Medicaid. Continue reading “What is a Medicaid Trust, and How Can it Help Me?”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have ordered states to resume regular annual surveys of nursing homes and to once again investigate claims of abuse and neglect at these institutions. These investigations and surveys were temporarily put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic but as states have begun returning to normal, more emphasis is being placed once more on ordinary operations. Thus, all the tasks that had been previously put on hold by CMS are now set to resume. Continue reading “CMS Orders States to Return to Normal Nursing Home Inspections”
Medicaid fraud is a persistent issue across the country, costing state governments billions of dollars every year. It was estimated in a report by PBS that nearly one in every ten Medicaid payments are in some way erroneous and potentially fraudulent. But what exactly is it, and what are you supposed to do if you get charged with it? Continue reading “What Happens if You Are Charged with Medicaid Fraud”
Planning for retirement while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing may seem strange, considering how many people are simply struggling to make it through the current crisis. However, in some ways there has never been a better time to figure out how you intend to care for yourself in your later years, especially if you are approaching retirement age. If you are an older American and wondering how you will manage healthcare costs after you retire, you should consider Medicaid planning as part of your retirement plan. Continue reading “Medicaid Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic”
A new law, recently passed by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, will have a significant impact for anyone receiving Personal Care Services or Home Care services through Medicaid. Among these changes are the imposition of a “look back” period for determining whether a person meets the requirements to be eligible for the Medicaid Home Care program. Previously, there was no “look back” period for the Medicaid Home Care program. There are also changes to services under the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and Personal Care Services (PCS). All these changes will be effective April 1, 2021. Continue reading “Medicaid Home Care Services”
On August 21, 2018, Guildnet CEO, Alan R. Morse, notified employees that the company will be closing its doors as of December 1, 2018, leaving New Yorkers in need of managed long-term care (MLTC) services at a disadvantage. The Guildnet program was designed to offer therapeutic/medical care, home healthcare services, case management, and medical equipment to those who qualify and will be in need of the provided services for a minimum of 120 days. Guildnet announced that by January 1st of 2019, all medical services to their 8,211 managed long-term care members will be terminated. United Healthcare, who until recently offered a partial MLTC plan, will also be pulling out of several counties in up-state New York by February of 2019, affecting nearly 1,500 enrollees who are said to be notified of these changes by November. Continue reading “Guildnet Closes Its Doors”
Medicaid is a joint federal and state public assistance program that provides health insurance to low-income Americans, regardless of age, and is based on financial need and hardship. This program is publicly funded through taxes that are collected from each working individual. Continue reading “Determining Medicaid Eligibility”
Testimonials
“I want to take this time to thank Tanya and Keith for their professionalism and their ability to keep me calm during this process. Tanya was very helpful in explaining the whole guardianship process and my next steps. Despite my numerous emails, I never felt ignored or that they were growing weary of me. Even after being granted guardianship when I had an issue with the bank releasing money Tanya stayed calm and found a way to get what I was entitled to. I hope I never need to do this again but if I do, I will definitely come back to Tanya and her team. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Love from Bermuda.”
-K. Durham. (An attorney in Bermuda transferring a Bermudian guardianship to NY)
