Showing posts with label resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resources. Show all posts

Friday, October 29, 2010

Medicare Assistance

Medicare Assistance

Health care and health care reform continue to be hot topics of conversation with particular attention being paid to the high costs of care. Individuals who are 65 years of age or older, or who have reached the 25th month of a permanent and total disability, are eligible for Medicare, the federal health insurance program. Payment for Medicare insurance is usually deducted from a person's social security.

Many people do not realize, however, that limited assistance is available for low income Medicare beneficiaries. This limited coverage helps eligible individuals pay for some or all of their out-of-pocket Medicare expenses, including Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Eligibility depends on income and resource limits.

As of April 2010, the basic resource limit for an individual is $6,600 and $9,910 for a couple. The income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines and vary according to the specific assistance program.

While many of our clients are concerned with planning for the future in terms of Medicaid (state assistance for nursing home or in-home care), it is important to remember the availability of the assistance for Medicare - another way to help in difficult economic times.
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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for Family Law issues such as Divorce, Child Custody and Visitation, Support, and Military Family Law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

"Homecare" doesn't have to mean nurses.

I recently met with my women's networking group called SeniorRULE. We are Resources Unlimited and Liaisons for Elders. One of the members owns a homecare agency, and she has been in business for about 6.5 years now. Kathy Devlin, founder of "All About Home Care" originally started by providing companion care, which did not include CNA or skilled nursing. She could provide companions to do the cooking and cleaning, grocery shopping, driving, and to simply be there for someone who did not have anyone else. She recently went through the administrative requirements so she could also provide CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant) in the home, but she continues to staff companions.

Kathy felt it was important to remind us that various services can be provided by a companion, and other services are required to be performed by a CNA. Companions can be much less expensive for the patient, and perhaps one should be considered if you or your loved one needs more attention than you are able to provide. It is typical when people begin using a homecare agency to hear, "I should have done this ages ago!"

If you or your loved one is in need of extra help, and you are not sure where to turn, call us at the Law Offices of Jeremy Howe and we can discuss what services may be available in our area and try to make sure your affairs are in order to make your life and those of your loved ones easier.


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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for Family Law issues such as Divorce, Child Custody and Visitation, Support, and Military Family Law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.