Our Blog
Welcome to the blog of R. F. Meyer & Associates, where we share company news and informative articles related to our Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning legal practice.
March 2022 newsletter covers ‘observation status,’ more
Earlier today, we released our March 2022 R. F. Meyer & Associates newsletter. If you did not receive it by email, please see the below link to open it in full PDF form from our website. This edition covers a handful of topics that should be of interest to our...
What happens to a Medicaid recipient if their spouse dies first?
When one spouse is in a nursing home and applying for Medicaid, planning has to take into account the possibility that the spouse who is not in the nursing home (called the "community spouse") may pass away first. This is because the community spouse's death may make...
Care Compare site to add nursing home staff turnover, weekend help stats
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will add data on staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels to its Care Compare website, giving consumers another tool when choosing a nursing home. The official Medicare website includes a...
Staffing crisis at health care facilities taking a devastating toll on residents, families
Overwhelmed by the stress of long hours, low pay and exposure to the COVID-19 virus, nursing home workers are quitting in record numbers. The labor hemorrhage has turned what was already a chronic staffing problem into a full-blown crisis in many facilities and...
Online information offered by ‘Care Compare’ is expanding again
This afternoon, we released our February 2022 R. F. Meyer & Associates newsletter. If you did not receive it by email, please see the below link to open it in full PDF form from our website. Articles the February 2022 newsletter cover: Stress, long hours and...
Invisible Caregiving Workforce: Who Does the Job of Caring for Our Elderly?
From NextAvenue.org — By Kevyn Burger Who are the essential workers paid to care for America’s aged in their homes and in residential and nursing care facilities? The past year-and-a-half has put an unprecedented spotlight on the care received by America's aging...
FEMA pays up to $9,000 for COVID funeral expenses; many don’t apply
From NPR.org — BOSTON — When Wanda Olson’s son-in-law died in March after contracting COVID-19, she and her daughter had to grapple with more than just their sudden grief. They had to come up with money for a cremation. Even without a funeral, the bill came to nearly...
What Vaccines Does Medicare Cover?
Vaccines can become less effective over time. Even individuals fully vaccinated as children may need to update their immunizations. Medicare Parts B and D offer vaccination coverage. Medicare Part B covers shots for the flu, hepatitis B, pneumococcal (pneumonia), and...
Medicaid Penalty Period Can Be ‘Cured’ by Returning a Gift
Anyone who gifted assets within five years of applying for Medicaid may be subject to a penalty period, but that penalty can be reduced or eliminated if the assets are returned. In order to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot have recently transferred assets....