11 Things You Can Do Online Via the Social Security Website
The Social Security Administration (SSA) website hosts a wealth of online tools that offer you convenient access to benefits information. To make the most of these tools, simply create a my Social Security account online. It is free to set up a mySSA account. More...
What to Do If You Lose Your Medicaid Coverage
During the COVID-19 pandemic, states could not take away Medicaid coverage from any residents enrolled in this program. In recent months, however, this has been changing. If you are on Medicaid, be sure to take some time to understand whether your coverage may be at...
How “No Surprises Act” May Help With Unexpected Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act is a federal law enacted to protect patients from unexpected medical bills incurred on or after January 1, 2022. It aims to address the issue of surprise medical billing, which can occur when patients receive unexpected charges for their medical...
RSV Vaccine Options for U.S. Seniors to Become Available
Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have each developed a vaccine to protect older adults from a virus known as RSV. People over 60 are at significant risk of serious complications if they contract RSV. Fortunately, with the recent FDA approval...
Home Health Services Underutilized by Seniors, Study Shows
Health Affairs estimates that 4 million older adults can only leave their homes with assistance, making accessing care challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.3 million Americans receive care in nursing homes. According to A Place...
Why Georgia’s New Medicaid Program May Impact You
In June 2023, Georgia announced the implementation of the Pathways to Coverage program, effective July 1, 2023. If successful, it could allow able-bodied adults who have not previously qualified for Medicaid to join the program and have access to health coverage if...
Medicare Extra Help Program Set to Expand in 2024
Seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the Medicare Extra Help Program as of the beginning of 2024, the federal government announced. This expansion of benefits could enable up to 3 million people to reduce their prescription drug costs. What Is the...
What Is a Medicare Flex Card?
Some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive Medicare flex cards, pre-paid debit cards for qualifying expenses, as part of their benefits. The U.S. government does not issue Medicare flex cards. This benefit is only available on select Medicare Advantage plans, a...
Medicare Advantage Plans Often Wrongly Deny Necessary Care, Study Finds
In an alarming number of instances, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying coverage for medical services that would be covered under original Medicare, according to a federal investigation. These denials are likely preventing or delaying medically necessary care...
The Consequences of Not Paying Your Property Taxes
When Geraldine Tyler, age 94, relocated to a senior community, she stopped paying property taxes on her home. After the property was foreclosed on, the county where Tyler’s home was located sold the property for $40,000 to recover about $15,000 in unpaid property...
How “Third-Party” Special Needs Trusts Differ From Other Trusts
Special needs trusts come in three main flavors — first-party special needs trusts, third-party special needs trusts, and pooled trusts. All three trust varieties are designed to manage resources for a person with special needs so that the beneficiary can still...
What Is a “First-Party” Special Needs Trust and When Is It Useful?
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) can play an important role in preserving the financial security and lifestyle of a person with special needs. A properly drafted SNT allows the individual to benefit from supplemental resources while still qualifying for public benefits,...
When It Comes to Taxes, Special Needs Trusts Are Not All Equal
Special needs trusts can be an invaluable tool for families that have a child with special needs. One often overlooked aspect of a special needs trust (SNT), however, is how the trust is taxed. This consideration is important because the tax savings can be...
Tax Deductions for Parents of Children With Disabilities
Unique tax benefits are available to families who have children with special needs. And thanks to recent changes in the tax code, there are opportunities to save substantial amounts of money at tax time. Thomas M. Brinker, Jr., a professor of accounting at Arcadia...
Lawmaker Revives the Expanding Veterans’ Options for LTC Act
A bipartisan bill recently reintroduced to Congress seeks to support senior military veterans in living more independently as they age. The number of U.S. military veterans aged 85 or older who will become eligible for nursing home care is anticipated to increase by...