The Medicaid Program

Created in 1965, the Medicaid program was designed to provide health coverage for low-income people. While the federal government establishes certain parameters for all states to follow, each state administers their Medicaid program differently, resulting in variations in coverage across the country. In New York State, Medicaid for long-term care (nursing home care or care […]

Important Changes in NY Medicaid

Amid the worldwide Pandemic, New York State has included a Major Change to the Medicaid Landscape in the 2020 Budget.   This Major change relates to Community Medicaid.   Currently there is no “look back” to qualify for Community based Medicaid (i.e. Home Care) under New York State Medicaid.    This means that you can essentially transfer your […]

Pooled Income Trusts

So many people think they cannot qualify for Medicaid covered Long Term Home Care because their income is too high. It is true, that Medicaid does have limits on Monthly Income but there is a way to qualify for Medicaid Benefits despite having what is commonly referred to as “excess income”. The way to qualify […]

MLTC Hours cut

People receiving home care benefits from Managed Long Term Care plans (MLTCs) must know their rights and must know how to pursue the MLTC plans to give them the appropriate amount of services.  All plans have a grievance process.  Most often, this process does not resolve the issue as it is the plan who denied […]

Tips for caring for an aging loved one

Talk with your parents/loved ones Talk to them about Advanced Directives. Do they want to be resuscitated, do they want artificial feeding etc.  This is always a tough discussion but one that really needs to be done. Get a Health Care Proxy in place which specifically states their wishes. Help them to appoint the child […]

What is Aging in Place?

What is aging in place? Aging in place is a term used to describe a person living in the residence of their choice, for as long as they are able, as they age. This includes being able to have any services (or other support) they might need over time as their needs change. The focus […]

What to do when an aging loved one is hospitalized?

There is so much to understand when your elderly love once is hospitalized.  First you have to be able to “speak the language” of the medical people to understand what is going on. If you are lucky enough to figure that out, then you need to understand the insurance issues and the next steps after […]

Aging Loved Ones – How do we manage their care and how do we pay for it?

Many of us are caring for aging parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or other loved ones.   We do this while we juggle our own jobs, families and day to day responsibilities.    It is hard enough to watch a loved one age and require help from others to meet basic care needs,  but if they need that […]