What happens to online accounts when you die? Digital identity is defined broadly and may include a person’s email accounts, online financial accounts, cloud accounts, digital music accounts, blogs, social networking identities, and digital files. Digital files are not limited to data files but also include photos, audio, and video…
Articles Posted in Elder Law
Aging in Place Through Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Entering into a nursing home or other residential skilled care facility can be hard enough on a beloved older family member without having to worry about having to leave that facility and moved into another one. Unfortunately, this is a reality all too many seniors face these days as nursing…
NY Elder Law Estate Planning: Alternatives to Nursing Home Care
One of the biggest anxieties many Americans may face is entering into a nursing home or other skilled residential care facility at some point in their lives. Not only does residency in a nursing home mean less autonomy, but also potentially pay a tremendous financial price. Depending on the location,…
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies Issue Guidance to States on Service
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a “Dear State Medicaid Director” letter highlighting ten opportunities for states to better serve individuals dually eligible for Medicare both and Medicaid. The letter states that these these opportunities are newly available to states through Medicare rulemaking or other CMS…
IRS Issues Notice on ABLE Accounts
The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice to people with disabilities who are employed that for the first time they can now deposit extra money into their ABLE accounts without losing Social Security, Medicaid, or other government benefits. Annual contributions to ABLE accounts are currently capped at $15,000 but…
Understanding the Law: What are the rules for Medicaid eligibility?
With the skyrocketing costs of medical care and nursing homes, few people can afford to pay out of pocket costs to live in a long term care facility in their later years and most will eventually need to qualify for Medicaid to do so. Medicaid has essentially become the default…
Yes, You Need One: Reasons for A Last will and Testament
Having a last will and testament is something that every single person needs to have, regardless of how substantial or modest they feel their estate may be. This because a last will and testament does much more than spell out who receives what part of an estate. A last will…
Authorities Warn about New Social Security Scam Calls Targeting the Elderly
Authorities across the country are warning of new scams targeting elderly Social Security over the phone, where individuals claiming to be government representatives try to collect sensitive information under the guise of a computer glitch causing issues with benefits. The Social Security Administration has made it very clear that under…
Major Insurance Company Pulls Gym Membership Program
As of January 1, 2019, approximately 1.2 million seniors across will lose their SilverSneakers coverage on Medicare Advantage plans that give them access to gyms and health centers without any additional membership costs. The controversial business decision will affects plan holders in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska,…
More Insurers Offering Medicare Advantage Plans to Help Seniors get Healthcare
When open enrollment begins for Medicare, many seniors across the country will notice an expanded range of health care plan options, including those offered by private insurance companies through Medicare Advantage. With more Americans than ever considering and signing up for these Medicare alternatives, more insurance companies than usual are…