A new model for end-of-life care issues, called MOLST, is now in use in Massachusetts. Around the nation, and in New Hampshire where it is also being used, the system is called Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (or POLST). In Massachusetts the first word is changed to “Medical” thus giving us MOLST. The point of the…
Hiring a Caregiver – Employment Issues
As you get older, you may (someday) need help with your everyday activities. For some, that means going to a nursing home. But most people want to stay home, so you might think about hiring an at-home caregiver. You need to consider some important employment issues before you do. There are two major options when…
Seven Health Care Mistakes of Seniors
As we get older, we generally have more health concerns. For a long and healthy life we must handle our health issues properly. Seniors often make mistakes when dealing with their health. Here are seven of the biggest health care mistakes made by the elderly: 1. Failing to Hear or Understand your Doctor – If you did…
No Increase in Spousal Allowances under Medicaid for 2010
The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that there will be no change in the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) nor the Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MaxMMNA) for 2010. These amounts are what a community spouse may keep in assets or is allowed to have as income, when the other…
CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT
The Center for Medicare Advocacy is launching a new advocacy and education initiative to eliminate the Medicare “Improvement Standard,” which requires that Medicare beneficiaries be able to improve in order to qualify for coverage. The insistence that people must be able to get better unfairly restricts access to Medicare coverage and necessary health care. Although…
Elder-Friendly Amendments in Latest Health Bill
At a session that ended at 2:18 a.m. on Friday, October 2, the Senate Finance Committee completed its markup to health reform, the America’s Healthy Future Act. The bill contains some recently added amendments that are of great interest to elders. The bill now includes an amendment offered by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) that “would…
Long-Term-Care must be part of Health Reform
In the next few weeks, the Senate should finalize legislation to reform America’s health care system. Although around 48 million Americans don’t have medical insurance, more than 250 million have no insurance protection for the costs of long-term-care. This is why advocacy groups representing the elderly and those with special needs are pressing for the…
Governor Patrick Vetoes Nursing Home Admissions Criteria
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has vetoed language in the state’s 2009 Budget that would protect nursing home residents from discharge due to a change in MassHealth clinical criteria. Without this language in the budget, frail elderly residents are at risk of being inappropriately discharged or being denied admission to a nursing home. Currently MassHealth will…
CMS Says Transfers to Pooled Trusts Subject to Transfer Penalties for those over Age 64.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued a new bulletin clarifying policy on the application of transfer of asset provisions to pooled trusts established by individuals age 65 and older. According to CMS, transfers to these pooled trusts are subject to transfer penalties for Medicaid eligibility purposes. The Bulletin says that States…
CMS is keeping regional offices
Contrary to the Federal Register notice of Dec. 28, 2007, the 10 Regional Offices of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are not being abolished after all. CMS had announced in the Federal Register that its Regional Offices were being abolished. The notice stated that “Part F of the Statement of Organization, Functions,…