“Time has a way of showing us what really matters” ~ Unknown Author I sat with Nora in her hospital room, having just finished helping her sign her legal papers. Her mind was sharp, but her body was failing. Nora was worn out from a heart attack and several surgeries, and the doctors… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Medicaid Planning
States May Not Terminate Nursing Home Medicaid Benefits During The Pandemic

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a coronavirus relief package signed into law on March 18, 2020. A provision in this new law prevents states from terminating Medicaid benefits during the pandemic. In particular, the relief package prevents states from terminating any Medicaid recipients who were enrolled in Medicaid on or after March 18,… Read More »
Another Side of the Story: Terri Schiavo’s Brother Speaks Out

Terri Schiavo was the subject of one of the nation’s most famous and divisive end-of-life cases. Bobby Schindler is her brother, and he is the president of the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network. Schindler recently joined Rebecca A. Hobbs of ElderLawAnsers to tell his sister’s story. Terri Schiavo was only 26… Read More »
Understanding Nursing Home Medicaid in Michigan
Nursing home Medicaid is something which many people do not think about until they find themselves in a position of needing it. For those nearing retirement, Medicaid usually comes up when they urgently need long-term care in a nursing home. This kind of care is not covered by Medicare beyond a limited number of days. … Read More »
Ways to Pay for Long-Term Care
While we all hope to remain healthy and active as we age, there is a possibility that an unforeseen medical condition or accident could limit our mobility and change our medical care needs. While Medicare and supplemental Medicare coverage will cover some costs, these plans and policies will not pay for most long-term care services… Read More »
Medicaid and the Gift Tax
Being able to give a loved one a significant amount of money without having to pay gift tax is a major benefit offered by the federal tax code. This may seem like an ideal way to bequeath funds to loved ones without having to include the amounts in your estate plan. However, for individuals who… Read More »
Do you believe in love at first sight?
“It was love at first sight,” Sam said to me. Mary was a waitress at the local diner. Sam was a young, athletic kid who had just enlisted in the Army. He still remembers Mary’s pink dress, her hazel eyes, the smell of bold coffee and the sound of bacon sizzling on the grill. … Read More »
Planning for the Silent Thieves: Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
I search your eyes, So empty and blue, Hoping for a flicker Of what used to be you.1 If you are the wife, husband, son or daughter of someone with, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, you may be overwhelmed emotionally, physically and financially. You are consumed with the day-to-day care, behaviors like agitation and… Read More »
Estate Planning Essentials
Estate plans are an area that many people believe they will have time to develop but often neglect. Some may think they’re too young for this kind of preparation or they may be putting it off because they find the topic difficult to confront. The problem with delaying estate planning is that you run the… Read More »
Qualifying for Medicaid
Getting ready for retirement usually means examining Medicare options, downsizing and beginning to budget with retirement funds. One preparation which may not come to mind is paying for long-term care. This type of care includes nursing home, hospice, and personal care services and is not covered by Medicare. While some may have long-term care insurance… Read More »