The Trump Administration Allows States to Choose Medicaid Block Grants
The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to allow states the option to cap Medicaid spending using block grants. While this change does not directly affect nursing home residents on Medicaid, it could result in significant service cuts to other beneficiaries.
Medicare Now Covers Outpatient Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Recognizing the huge problems caused by opioid addiction in the United States, Medicare is adding a new outpatient opioid treatment benefit, paying for methadone and related treatment in certain facilities under Medicare Part B.
Caregivers Are Getting Younger, Making Planning for Long-Term Care Even More Important
As baby boomers age, more and more millennials are becoming caregivers. Many are taking on this role while just getting started in their own lives, leading to difficult decisions about priorities. Proper planning can help them navigate this terrain.
Movement Grows to Add Dental Coverage to Medicare
Medicare does not offer much in the way of dental benefits, but advocates for Medicare beneficiaries are arguing for that to change.
Feds Release 2020 Guidelines Used to Protect the Spouses of Medicaid Applicants
The federal government has released the 2020 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of Medicaid recipients may keep, as well as related Medicaid figures.
New Law Makes Big Changes to Retirement Plans
A spending bill signed into law by the President contains major changes to retirement plans. The bipartisan legislation is designed to provide more incentives to save for retirement, but it may require workers to rethink some of their planning.
Medicare Premiums to Increase By Almost $10 a Month in 2020
After small or no increases the past couple of years, Medicare’s Part B premium will rise sharply in 2020. The basic monthly premium will increase $9.10, from $135.50 a month to $144.60.
IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2020
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the amount taxpayers can deduct from their 2020 income as a result of buying long-term care insurance.
What Is the Difference Between a Living Will and a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order?
When creating advance directives in order to plan for the possibility that you may one day be unable to make your own medical decisions, there can be confusion about the difference between a living will and a “do-not-resuscitate” order.
How Secure Is Social Security?
For years people have been worried about Social Security’s future, but what is the actual outlook? According to the federal government, unless Congress acts to intervene, Social Security shortfalls are expected beginning in 2035.