How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Medicare?

If you are approaching retirement, you may worry about paying for medical expenses once you leave the workforce. The good news is the United States has a health insurance program for individuals 65 and older. The program is called Medicare. Read on to learn more about...

Medicaid Rules for States: Recent Updates and Enhancements

Thanks to a new rule recently finalized by the federal government, obtaining and renewing health care coverage under the Medicaid program is set to become easier for millions of Americans. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid provides people living on limited income with access...

Report: Planning for America’s Aging Population

If you are age 65 or older and living in the United States, you are part of a large and growing population segment. According to the 2020 Census, one in six Americans are over 65. In fact, the number of Americans over 65 grew nearly five times faster than the total...

Report Shows Spectrum of Needs Among Older Americans

Understanding the nation’s latest data on older adults can aid policymakers and advocates for those 65 and older in responding more effectively to this population’s unique needs, while also helping seniors and their families plan for the future. Each year, the...

Managing Private-Pay Caregivers: ASNP Conference Session

Source: ElderLawAnswers.com, The Academy of Special Needs Planners Attendees of the April 2024 National Conference of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), held in Austin, Texas, heard from experts in the special needs planning field on such diverse topics as...

Understanding Neurodiversity: Embracing Neurological Differences

Neurodiversity is a concept and movement that recognizes and respects variations in human brain function and behavior as part of normal diversity. It emphasizes that neurological differences, such as those seen in conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other...

Receiving an Inheritance? Beware of Medicaid Income Limits

For most people, receiving an inheritance is something to celebrate. However, for a nursing home resident on Medicaid, an inheritance may not be such welcome news. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a public assistance health insurance program for people who have limited...

Introduction to Social Security Retirement Benefits

Social Security was enacted in 1935 to provide some relief to America’s destitute older citizens during the economic cataclysm known as the Great Depression. A direct descendant of that more limited effort, today’s Social Security retirement program is in...

Can I Put My Inheritance in a Third-Party Special Needs Trust?

Question:  I’m on Medicaid and SSI. I’ll be receiving a financial inheritance within the next year or less. Can I deposit my own inheritance in a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and spend it on myself? I really need to be able to keep my Medicaid and spend...