December 2010
- New Medicare Premium, Deductible and Co-Pay Charges for 2011
- Hospital Trying to Revoke Daughter's Power of Attorney
- Book Review: 47 Secret Veterans' Benefits for Seniors
- Courts Reject 'Urban Legend' That Medicare Nursing Coverage Requires Improvement
- IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2011
To Clients, Colleagues and Friends:
New Medicare Premium, Deductible and Co-Pay Charges for 2011
The basic premium for Medicare Part B will be $115.40 a month in 2011, up from $110.50 in 2010 (a 4.4 percent increase). But because there will be no cost of living benefit increase for Social Security recipients for 2011, most beneficiaries will be exempted from paying this increase and will instead pay the same $96.40 premium amount they have paid since 2008.
Hospital Trying to Revoke Daughter's Power of Attorney
In an effort to discharge an elderly patient, a Chicago hospital is going to court to revoke the power of attorney of the patient's daughter and substitute it with a guardianship.
Book Review: 47 Secret Veterans' Benefits for Seniors 
Many veterans don't realize all the benefits available to them and their family members. This book provides older veterans and their advocates with insider tips to help them get their full benefits, some of which pay for long-term care services.
Courts Reject 'Urban Legend' That Medicare Nursing Coverage Requires Improvement
In welcome news for seniors and the disabled with chronic conditions, two federal courts in the past two months have ruled that Medicare's coverage of skilled care does not require a beneficiary to show improvement. Instead, both courts said that Medicare can pay for skilled care if it is needed simply to preserve a patient's current functioning or prevent further decline.
IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2011
Social Security benefits may be stagnant, but the IRS is increasing the amount you can deduct on your 2011 taxes as a result of buying long-term care insurance.
