Our Blog
Welcome to the blog of R. F. Meyer & Associates, where we share company news and informative articles related to our Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning legal practice.
Claiming Social Security benefits at age 70
If you are about to turn 70, congratulations on reaching a big milestone. And if you also have delayed claiming Social Security retirement benefits up till now, you are joining a select group – only 6.5 percent of Social Security recipients put off collecting their...
Biden proposed nursing home reforms most extensive ‘in decades’
The Biden administration has announced far-reaching nursing home reforms, targeting staffing and accountability at facilities with deficient care. Advocates are calling the proposals, which include the first-ever federal minimum staffing levels, the most significant...
The crucial impact of Medicaid’s ‘snapshot’ of a couple’s finances
When a married couple applies for Medicaid, the Medicaid agency must analyze the couple’s income and assets as of a particular date to determine eligibility. The date that the agency chooses for this analysis is called the “snapshot” date and it can have a major...
April 2022: Big nursing home reforms on horizon
This afternoon, we issued our April 2022 e-newsletter from R. F. Meyer & Associates. If you did not receive it by email, you can open it in full PDF form at the link below. Articles in the April 2022 edition cover: Sweeping nursing home reforms in the works...
Things to remember as Tax Day approaches
Tax Day, which is Monday, April 18 in 2022, is approaching and it is time to begin crossing T's and dotting I's in preparation for paying taxes. As tax time draws near, you want to make sure you file all the proper forms and take all deductions you're entitled to....
Court: Patients can appeal hospital’s ‘observation status’
A federal court has ruled that hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who were switched from inpatient to observation status can appeal the decision, making it easier for them to receive coverage for subsequent nursing home care. The ruling appears to bring to an end...
What Documents Are Required for a Medicaid Application?
Medicaid applicants must prove that they have limited income and assets in order to be eligible for long-term care services. Before beginning the application process, it is helpful to understand what information and documents are required to provide to prove your...
March 2022 newsletter covers ‘observation status,’ more
Earlier today, we released our March 2022 R. F. Meyer & Associates newsletter. If you did not receive it by email, please see the below link to open it in full PDF form from our website. This edition covers a handful of topics that should be of interest to our...
What happens to a Medicaid recipient if their spouse dies first?
When one spouse is in a nursing home and applying for Medicaid, planning has to take into account the possibility that the spouse who is not in the nursing home (called the "community spouse") may pass away first. This is because the community spouse's death may make...