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.
Safe practices, flexible arrangements to deal with Coronavirus
Dear Clients and Referral Partners, As estate planning and elder law attorneys, our practice is dedicated to serving our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, those who are ill, disabled, experiencing mental health challenges and children with special needs. We...
Trump Admin. Allows States to Choose Medicaid Block Grants
The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to allow states the option to cap Medicaid spending using block grants. While this change does not directly affect nursing home residents on Medicaid and is billed as a way to improve state flexibility in running Medicaid...
How Does Medicaid Treat Income?
The basic Medicaid rule for nursing home residents is that they must pay all of their income, minus certain deductions, to the nursing home. The deductions include a $60-a-month personal needs allowance (this amount may be somewhat higher or lower in your state), a...
March Newsletter now available
Yesterday we released the March 2020 e-newsletter from the law offices of R. F. Meyer & Associates. Find a link to it in PDF form below. This month the newsletter features articles about how Medicaid treats income for nursing home residents; how the Trump...
Caregivers Getting Younger, Planning for Long-Term Care More Important
As baby boomers age, more and more millennials are becoming caregivers. Many are taking on this role while just getting started in their own lives, leading to difficult decisions about priorities. Proper planning can help them navigate this terrain. The term “sandwich...
Medicare Covers Outpatient Opioid Addiction Treatment
Recognizing the huge problems caused by opioid addiction in the United States, Medicare is adding a new outpatient opioid treatment benefit, paying for methadone and related treatment in certain facilities. Under a new rule taking effect in January 2020, Medicare...
Medicaid Protections for the Healthy Spouse
Medicaid law provides special protections for the spouses of Medicaid applicants to make sure the spouses have the minimum support needed to continue to live in the community while their husband or wife is receiving long-term care benefits, usually in a nursing home....
Free Tax Preparation Help Is Available to Seniors
Seniors and retirees should know that they may be able to use online tax preparation software free of charge. Most low- and middle-income Americans qualify for the free help, but do not take advantage of it. And all seniors are eligible for free counseling assistance...
Spouses of Medicaid Applicants get 2020 Guidelines
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2020 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of institutionalized Medicaid recipients may keep, as well as related Medicaid figures. In 2020, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in...