Elderlaw News December 2011
December 2011
- 2012 Medicare Premium Hike Lower Than Predicted, and Some Will See a Savings
- The Five Components of a Good Estate Plan
- Suit Contests Hospitals’ Practice of Not Admitting Patients Prior to Nursing Home Transfer
- What You Pay Your Doctor Under Medicare Depends
To Clients, Colleagues, and Friends:
We are proud to announce that Julian Gray Associates has received the ranking “Best Law Firm” in the 2011-2012 U.S. News listing. Additionally, Frank A. Petrich, CELA and Julian E. Gray, CELA have individually been listed in the “Best Lawyers” ranking for 2011-2012.
2012 Medicare Premium Hike Lower Than Predicted, and Some Will See a Savings
On the heels of the announcement of a 3.6 percent increase in Social Security benefits in 2012 came news that Medicare’s monthly premium will be much lower than expected next year — and will actually drop for millions of beneficiaries.
The Five Components of a Good Estate Plan
Many people believe that if they have a will, their estate planning is complete, but there is much more to a solid estate plan. A good plan should be designed to avoid probate, save on estate taxes, protect assets if you need to move into a nursing home, and appoint someone to act for you if you become disabled.
Suit Contests Hospitals’ Practice of Not Admitting Patients Prior to Nursing Home Transfer
Seven Medicare patients have filed a class action lawsuit challenging a Medicare policy that allows hospitals to place patients under observation for days on end rather than actually admitting them. If these patients then move to a nursing home, they are not eligible for Medicare coverage of the first part of their nursing home stay, costing them or their families thousands of dollars.
What You Pay Your Doctor Under Medicare Depends
If you have original Medicare, the doctor you visit can make a difference in how much you have to pay. While you can go to any doctor who accepts Medicare payments, if the doctor does not “accept assignment,” you can end up paying a lot more.