Q. We were obliged to arrange for mom to move into a nursing home because she has become frail and needs full-time care. We now need to apply for a Medi-Cal subsidy to help pay for the cost of her care, which is quite expensive. We’ve heard that Medi-Cal may then take her home. Is… Read More »
Blog Posts Page 21
Claiming A Parent As A Dependent
Q. My mother-in-law lives with my wife and me and we pay most of the cost for her caregiver, as well as providing free room and board. Can we declare her as a dependent on our tax returns? A. You may very well be able to do so. Actually there are several ways in which… Read More »
Will Medi-Cal Pay for Care in the Home?
Q. My mother needs full-time round-the-clock care, but she wants to remain in her home rather than move to a nursing home. If she meets the financial eligibility requirements, will Medi-Cal pay for her care at home? A. Unfortunately, your mom would most likely need to be in a nursing facility in order to receive… Read More »
Filial Responsibility: Are Children Responsible for Their Parents’ Care?
Q. My wife and I are concerned that our adult children might be held financially responsible for our care in the event we run out of our own resources. Our children are good kids, but they have their own financial responsibilities, including putting their own kids through college. Can you shed any light on this?… Read More »
Is an Out-Of-State Will Valid in California?
Q. Before relocating to California, my wife and I lived in Ohio where we signed wills. Are they now valid in California? A. If they were properly prepared and signed under the laws of Ohio, the short answer is “yes”. But, it would still be wise to have them reviewed — and perhaps revised —… Read More »
Medi-Cal’s Plan to Ensure the Healthy Spouse Is Not Impoverished: the CSRA
Q. My husband may need to go into a nursing home soon, and I fear that the high cost of nursing care will rapidly deplete our savings. Since we do have some savings, would he be ineligible for Medi-Cal? A. Not necessarily, and this comes as a surprise to most couples. Under a law passed… Read More »
Medi-Cal’s Plan To Ensure the Healthy Spouse Has Enough Income: the MMMNA
Q. My husband may need to go into a nursing home soon and I am looking into a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with the cost. In your recent post you wrote that Medi-Cal permits the well spouse to retain up to $115,920 in savings as a kind of safety net, and even more with planning…. Read More »
Ensuring That Your Loved Ones Receive Your IRA
Q. I have a large Traditional IRA, and I wish to name my wife as primary beneficiary and my children from a previous marriage as backup beneficiaries. Can I lock in this beneficiary designation plan on the IRA Beneficiary Designation Form I sign at the bank? A. Unfortunately, not likely. While it is always a… Read More »
Inheritance While on Medi-Cal?
Q. My 86-year-old mother is in a nursing home and receives a Medi-Cal subsidy. We just learned that her brother died and left her $200,000 in his trust. Will the receipt of this inheritance bounce mom off of Medi-Cal? Is there anything we can do? A. The answer to your first question is easy: yes,… Read More »
Medicare To Pay for End-Of-Life Counseling
Q. I hear that Medicare will now pay for me to discuss my end-of-life wishes with my doctor. Is this true? A. Yes, beginning January 1 of 2016, Medicare will begin reimbursing physicians for time spent in counseling patients regarding their end-of-life wishes. This development, just announced October 31, 2015, by the Center for Medicare… Read More »