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 reforms in decades. Why Is Nursing Home Reform Necessary? Nursing homes have been plagued by chronic understaffing and high turnover rates…
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Clients are often unpleasantly surprised to learn that having a Last Will and Testament does not negate the need for probate. And they are sometimes annoyed when they learn that even though they are named as the Executor in a Will, that alone does not give them authority to access the decedent’s assets. Yet both of these statements are true.
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Working elders without dependents may qualify for the earned income tax credit when they file their 2021 tax returns. The tax credit assists those with low incomes but was previously primarily available to people with young children. How Will The Earned Income Tax Credit Benefit Elders? If you file taxes and your earned income is…
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Recently I had the honor of serving as the co-chair of the Legislative Task Force to Study Ways to Protect Senior Citizens from Fraud. The Task Force was created pursuant to a bill enacted by the Connecticut legislature in 2021 and was comprised of ten individuals appointed by various legislative leaders. Besides myself, the members…
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Americans’ ability to quickly and easily test for Covid-19 is one of the most important tools for stopping the infection’s spread, unfortunately, Medicare is still behind the ball. This is why the Biden administration recently announced it is requiring private insurers to cover the cost of up to eight rapid at-home Covid tests a month…
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Most couples have what I call “I Love You” Wills, which state that all of their assets pass to the surviving spouse. Moreover, many couples own all of their assets jointly, so the assets pass to the surviving joint owner even without a Will. This is usually the outcome that couples want, but there are…
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Definition of Conservator – A guardian or a protector nominated by the probate court to manage the financial affairs and/or personal affairs and daily life of the conserved person due to physical or mental limitations. Who Can Be a Conservator? It may be a single individual, a state official, a non-profit organization, a business, or…
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Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5%, or $21.60, from $148.50 to $170.10 a month. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the premium and other Medicare costs increased on November 12, 2021. The steep hike is attributed…
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Even though most people don’t plan on getting a divorce when they first tie the knot, it is a reality for many couples. While we do not practice family law here at Reed Wilson Case, and cannot help with a custody schedule, those crucial estate planning documents that you may or may not already have…
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When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level of care typically provided in a nursing home. Whether you are applying for nursing home coverage or through a Medicaid waiver program for coverage at home, you must meet the level-of-care…
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