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July 17, 2008 - Affordable Assisted Living (part 2) - Expample of how the PACE program can help reduce assisted living expenses.
July 3, 2008 - Affordable Assisted Living - Assisted living is privately paid for, right? Not necessarily. (Part 1)
June 19, 2008 - Small Victory for Seniors - Summary of the new law that requires banks to provide copies of statements and checks at NO COST, when requested by MassHealth.
June 5, 2008 Senate Budget Has Good and Bad News For Seniors - Summary of the Massachusetts Senate budget.
May 22, 2008 Making the Most of Charitable Contributions - Summary of the new income tax rules regarding deducting charitable contributions.
May 8, 2008 - HOUSE BUDGET CUTS AFFECT SENIORS - Summary of the Massachusetts House budget results.
April 24, 2008 - Helping With College Expenses - Some advice for parents and grandparents with children who will be attending college.
April 3, 2008 - New Tax Rule for Sale of Your Home - Information about the new tax break for surviving spouses who sell their home.
February 28, 2008 - Tax Rebates - More Information From the IRS - New information about the rebates. If you don't file a 2007 tax return, you will NOT get a tax rebate.
February 14, 2008 - Tax Rebates - How Much Will You Get? - Analysis of the 2008 tax rebate.
January 31, 2008 - The New Mass Health Care Law - Summary of the requirement for everyone living in Massachusetts to have health care and the penalties associated with not getting health insurance.
January 10, 2008 - PLANNING FOR SINGLE ELDERS PART TWO - This article expands upon the December 27 article by showing how a pooled trust can be used for single elders who own a home or other significant assets and are facing nursing home placement.
December 27, 2007 - CARING FOR SINGLE ELDERS IN A NURSING HOME - Planning idea for single elders entering a nursing home to set up a trust as part of an allowable spend down of their assets to provide necessities after they have expended all of their funds for nursing home care.
December 13, 2007 - YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER - This is a summary of a recent hearing I had about a grandmom who gave her granddaughter an Easter gift of $100 and a Christmas gift of $200. The hearings officer said she shouldn't have made the gifts because she should have know that she was going to need MassHealth and should have known that these gifts would have disqualified her.
November 29, 2007 - YEAR END TAX PLANNING STRATEGIES - A snapshot of a few tax reduction planning ideas for the end of tax year 2007.
November 15, 2007 - HOUSE RICH, CASH POOR - Need a reverse mortgage? Perhaps you should also, get a life estate. This gives you additional monthly income and will protect some of your assets for your children.
October 18, 2007 - FREE CASH FOR SENIORS - Summary of the 2007 changes for the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Credit, also know as the FREE CASH FOR SENIORS PROGRAM.
October 4, 2007 - PUTTING YOUR HOME IN TRUST - An overview of the pro's and con's of putting your home in an irrevocable trust.
September 13, 2007 - FREEZING YOUR CREDIT - This summer I was notified by both the Rhode Island Department of Revenue and the Massachusetts Division of Licensing for CPA's that computers had been stolen that contained my name and social security number. The article outlines what you should do if your information is compromised.
August 23, 2007 - A FEW SIMPLE THINGS - This is an updated reprint of a popular 2003 article naming 3 things that everyone should do, seniors and juniors alike.
August 2, 2007 - SANTA CLAUS IS DEAD - This is an article about an ongoing case of mine that is currently under appeal for denial of MassHealth benefits because Mom gave her son a $100 Christmas gift. Updates on the appeal will appear after the hearing that should occur in late August or September.
July 19, 2007 - THINK BEFORE YOU MAKE A GIFT This is a story about the ridiculous position that MassHealth is taking about small family gifts for birthdays and Christmas. MassHealth is saying that if you make these types of gifts within 5 years of needing Medicaid coverage for your nursing home care, you will be denied. Simply incredible!
May 31, 2007 - PROTECTING ASSETS FROM NURSING HOME COSTS - Story about rules that apply to gifts and a new technique that might help families save a portion of the elder's assets if nursing home placement is required.
May 3, 2007 - SECRETARY OF STATE WARNS SENIORS - Story about the latest scam to have seniors convert their assets into annuities. This is not a good idea!
April 5, 2007 - COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY PERSONALLY VIOLATED - A story about our recent trip to the Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix, when our room was robbed by the cleaning staff and the hotel chose to ignore our problem. Being robbed is a casualty loss and this article discusses the tax treatment of casualty losses.
January 18, 2007 - Long Term Care Insurance Legislation - This is about the current legislation pending that will affect anyone who has or will purchase long term care insurance.
December 15, 2006 - More Free Cash For Seniors -Article about the federal telephone tax excise refund for tax year 2006 only.
December 7, 2006 - Do You Have A Hardship? Read about harsh penalties for those who make gifts in any amount and need nursing home care within 5 years.
November 30, 2006 - Rules to Consider Prior to Making Gifts - Discusses the gifting rules under the Deficit Reduction Act.
November 23, 206 - Selling Your Life Insurance - This article covers options that you have for life insurance policies that are either too expensive or no longer needed.
November 16, 2006 - Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription plans - The open enrollment period is from November 15, 2006 to December 31, 2006
November 9, 2006 - Medicare drug insurance premiums to rise as much as 87%. - Summary of the plans and increases for 2007.
November 2, 2006 - Probate and Your House - A description of the quirks of the probate system when it deals with real estate.
October 26, 2006 - US Series EE Bonds - A lesson about how EE bonds are taxed.
July 27, 2006 - Understanding Annuities - A report about annuities and how they affect Medicaid eligibility.
July 20, 2006 - How the New Medicaid Rules Affect Your Home - A summary of the Medicaid rules concerning your home.
July 13, 2006 - Romney Vetoes Senior Rights - A recap of Romney's veto of the asset limit increase for married couples who need to place one spouse in a nursing home.
June 29, 2006 - Weekly Senior News - A recap of the results of my FREE CASH FOR SENIORS PROGRAM, a new warning to seniors from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and a new restriction being applied as of July 1, 2006 for anyone seeking MassHealth coverage.
June 22, 2006 - Time Running Out for Refunds - This is a story about the Massachusetts income tax refunds available for tax year 2002, know as Peterson refunds. June 30, 2006 is the last day to apply for this refund
June 15, 2006 - Mass Confusion - This is basically me, yelling aloud about how unfair the new Medicaid Cuts from the Deficit Reduction Act will affect families who have under a half-a-million dollars!!
June 8, 2006 - Senate Passes Budget - This is a summary of the Senate budget that includes a restoration of the amount of money a married couple may keep, if one needs nursing home care. This budget now heads to the Conference Committee.
May 18, 2006 - Weekly Senior Review - Summary of last week's events including end of the enrollment period for Medicare Part D Rx plan and the passage of the $70 billion tax cut.
May 11, 2006 - MASS HOUSE IGNORES RIGHTS OF SENIORS - Summary of the recent budget vote by the House and the omission of important provisions for seniors.
May 4, 2006 - CONSIDERATIONS IN PRE-PAYING YOUR FUNERAL - A discussion of pre-paid funerals.
April 13, 2006 - PROTECTING THE HOME - Summary of how the Deficit Reduction Act has changed the way that we try and protect the home.
April 6, 2006 -DO YOU NEED A TRUST? - A look at different types of trusts and how they are used.
March 23, 2006 - LEGISLATIVE CHANGES FOR SENIORS - An update on national and Mass legislative changes.
March 16, 2006 - LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - An update on the federal Deficit Reduction Act and Massachusetts' delay in implementing the new law.
March 9, 2006 - TAX SAVINGS FOR SENIORS - Probably the two most common mistake seniors make on their tax returns and how it could be costing them thousands of dollars.
March 2, 2006 - SENIOR CHECKUP - A discussion of the essential documents that every senior should have as well as the weekly tax tip.
February 16, 2006 - THE NEW MEDICAID RULES AND SINGLE PEOPLE - Article reviews the effect of the Deficit Reduction Act on single individuals needing nursing home care.
February 9, 2006 - House Sends Budget Cutting Bill To President - Summary of the Medicaid cuts in the Deficit Reduction Act and it's affect on married couples.
February 2, 2006 - Elders Lose Protection of Home - Analysis of changes that are now in effect since the passage of the 2006 budget vote.
January 26, 2006 - How To Cut Home Heating Costs - A report on the new Massachusetts income tax deductions and credits available to offset your home heating expenses.
January 19, 2006 - Choices for Seniors - A new option for seniors to get help at home for seniors who would otherwise be in a nursing home. Find out how the state will pay for their care at home instead of in a nursing home.
January 12, 2006 - Massachusetts Income Tax Update - An update on the status of the Federal Medicaid Changes and review of the latest changes for tax year 2005.
January 5, 2006 - To Give or Not To Give - This article discusses the status of the Medicaid cuts for 2006.
December 29, 2005 - U.S. Senate Passes Medicaid Cuts - In late December the Senate passes the budget, but it is slightly different from the House's version, so the House needs to vote one more time.
December 22, 2005 - Estate Planning For Pets - A look at planning for pets during your life and after your death.
December 15, 2005 - Tax Update- An update on the increase in filing thresholds for the Federal and Massachusetts estate tax and an update on the recent change for tax year 2002 that results in refunds for many Massachusetts taxpayers.
December 8, 2005 - The Governor's Xmas Present - Governor Romney got is wish so, everyone who had a capital gain on their 2002 income tax return from a sale that occurred after May 1, 2002, is now entitled to a refund. Also see the December 15 article with updates on how to get your refund.
December 1, 2005 - U.S. House Cuts Senior Benefits - U.S. House votes to make major cuts to Medicaid that will devastate the finances of seniors.
November 24, 2005 - Free Cash For Seniors - Summary of the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Credit affording seniors who own or rent their home a refund of up to $840 by filing a Massachusetts income tax return, even if they never had any taxes withheld or paid in.
November 17, 2005 - Good News For Seniors - This article discusses the problems the US House of Representatives is having passing their draconian cuts to Medicaid as well as good news from the Massachusetts legislature regarding two amendments passed by the Senate and now going to the conference committee.
November 10, 2005 - US Senate Approves Medicaid Cuts - Here is a summary of the US Senate Medicaid cuts. These cuts are ones that we can live with, unlike those recommended by the House budget committee.
November 3, 2005 - U.S. House Sticks It To Seniors - The United States House of Representatives and their committee that was formed to find ways to cut Medicaid are in the midst of a wholesale assault on the finances of elders. Click on the link to read about this DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN.
October 13, 2005 - House Rich, Cash Poor - A summary of local tax abatements and the Massachusetts State Auditor's proposal to replace the local abatement process with a system run by the state to provide a uniform system of reducing real estate taxes for seniors.
October 6, 2005 - Donating Your Old Stuff - A listing of places and organizations that accept donations of used property.
September 22, 2005 - Just Say No - News about a recent case that allows a spouse to refuse to provide information to MassHealth about her finances when her spouse is in a nursing home.
September 15, 2005 - Legislative Update - A summary of the Bills in the Massachusetts Legislature dealing with the elderly and disabled.
September 8, 2005 - Legislature Reacts to Peterson Case - This is a follow up article that discusses the various bills filed to deal with the additional Mass income taxes that will be owed by 1000's of Mass residents.
September 1, 2005 - 1000's of Mass Residents to be Assessed Additional Mass Income Taxes - This applies to all Massachusetts residents who reported capital gains for tax year 2002.
August 25, 2005 - Parents Sharing A Nursing Home Room - This article discusses the financial considerations of both spouses being in a nursing home at the same time.
August 18, 2005 - Unraveling Joint Assets - Advice for non-married couples that live together and co-mingle their funds.
August 11, 2005 - The Paris Hilton Benefit Act - The repeal of the estate tax, aka, the Paris Hilton Benefit Act was scheduled to be voted on this week at the same time that a vote was to be held on cutting benefits for the elderly and disabled. The devastation of hurricane Katrina and the scores of people who will need aid caused the congress to delay the vote and make them think that perhaps cutting taxes for the richest 6% of Americans doesn't make sense at this time.
August 4, 2005 - Probate Avoidance - Part Two - Use of Life Estates and trusts to avoid probate.
July 28, 2005 - Probate Avoidance - Part One - Making all of your assets jointly held is know as a "Poor Man's Will", read about it's affect on probate and MassHealth(Medicaid) in this article.
July 21, 2005 - More Home-Care Options - Summary of the Massachusetts "Caring Homes" program that will allow Medicaid funds to be paid to family caregivers to provide care for a parent or grandparent at home.
July 7, 2005 - Another Bad Day For Seniors - Summary of the results of the Conference Committee for this year's budget.
June 30, 2005 - Money Follows the Person - A look at a program in Texas that allows nursing home residents to leave the nursing home and have the Medicaid funds follow them into the community.
June 16, 2005 - Legislation Affecting Seniors - Summary of two Bills that did not make it through the Conference Committee and discussion of House Bill#H3100 regarding long term care insurance.
June 9, 2005 - Transfer of Asset Penalties - A description of the Waiver request and the proposed legislation to get rid of it. This was not approved by the Conference Committee for the 2006 budget but remains a Bill that we hope will make it through the Bill process. The waiver would basically mean that all gifts made within the lookback period would have to be given back.
May 26, 2005 - Assisted Living On A Budget - A description of the Group Adult Foster Care Program and how it can reduce your assisted living rent by over 50%!
May 19, 2005 - More Senior Scams - Here is a scam to unknowingly take your name off the Do-Not-Call List
May 5, 2005 - Medicaid For Millionaires - A look at the myth that millionaires would want to qualify for Medicaid
April 28, 2005 - Massachusetts Medicaid vs. Florida Medicaid - A look at the differences between Florida and Massachusetts.
April 14, 2005 - Organizing your Financial Records - Summary of recordkeeping requirements for financial records.
April 7, 2005 - A Lesson From Ted Williams - Description of the plight of Ted Williams and how to be sure that your burial wishes are honored.
March 31, 2005 - Terri Schiavo – Lessons Learned - Summary of the Massachusetts Health Care Proxy Laws.March 24, 2005 IRA's Commonly Asked Questions - Summary of IRA rules and how they are treated if you need long-term care.
March 17, 2005 - Who is Charles Ponzi? - Summary of the senior financial abuse due to sales of variable annuities.
March 10, 2005 - Senior Sisters -Planning for senior siblings who live together.
February 24, 2005 - TAXES - CLAIMING PARENT AS A DEPENDENT - When you meet the test, you can claim your parent as your dependent and deduct their medical expenses.
January 13, 2005 - TAX TIPS FOR 2004 - Summary of the changes for 2004 for both Massachusetts and the IRS
January 6, 2005 - BILL TO RESTORE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF ELDERS - Summary of the Bills filed by Representative Doug Peterson (House Bill HD3687) and Senator Mark Montigny (Senate Bill SD1148) will restore the financial security of many families who need to place a spouse in a nursing home.
December 30, 2004 - LONG-TERM CARE INFORMATION - Summary of House Bill HD1004 that would implement a program of public education about long-term care and the options available to individuals.
December 23, 2004 - FEDERAL WAIVER WILL AFFECT GIFT MAKING - Summary of Bills before the House and Senate SD1369 and HD3609 that would prevent MassHealth from seeking a federal waiver to impose harsh penalties for having made gifts.
December 16, 2004 - Long-Term Care Insurance - analysis of Bill #HD730 that would remove the one major flaw in the long-term care insurance industry.
December 9, 2004 - Personal Needs Allowance Increase Request Explanation of how a bill becomes a law and a summary of the new bill that has been filed for an increased personal needs account for nursing home residents under MassHealth.
December 2, 2004 - Legislative Bills Affecting Seniors - Summary of six bills that are being introduced affecting the finances of elders.
November 25, 2004 - HIPPA PRIVACY RULE AFFECTS DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY - Privacy rules can affect the validity of your durable power of attorney.
November 18, 2004 - RECORD INCREASE IN MEDICARE PREMIUM FOR 2005 - Summary of the changes in Medicare for the year 2005
October 28, 2004 - Life Insurance and Medicaid - What happens with your life insurance when you enter a nursing home? Find out here.
October 21, 2004 - Medicaid Planning for a Single Person - Strategies for when a single person needs nursing home placement and has not done any planning in the past.
October 7, 2004 - Medicaid Planning for a Married Couple - Discussion of what happens when one spouse needs nursing home care.
September 2, 2004 - Life Estates - Description of the use of Life Estates for nursing home protection along with the pro's and con's
August 19, 2004 - Hurry, For Prescription Advantage - Description of the Massachusetts Prescription Advantage program and it's limited enrollment period. You must have your application received by August 31, 2004.
August 5, 2004 - Budget Wrap Up - Summary of the MassHealth (Medicaid) changes made in the final Legislative session for the year
July 8, 2004 - Romney and the Vetoes - Description of the Transfer of Asset Waiver requested by Romney, repealed by the Legislature and Romney's veto of the repeal.
July 1, 204 - Romney's Attack on the Elderly - Romney Vetoes all items in the budget favorable to Seniors including the repeal of the Expanded Estate Recovery.
May 27, 2004 - Senate Budget Favors Seniors - Senate passes budget on May 12, 2004 with many favorable items for seniors.
May 13, 2004 - Special Needs Trusts - Families with children who are receiving public benefits requires special planning to protect their inheritance.
May 6, 2004 - Protection of Elders Home Could Return - The Massachusetts House of Representatives votes to repeal the Expanded Estate Recovery
April 1, 2004 - Elders Regain Protection of the Home (Temporarily) - Information concerning the override of Gov. Romney's veto concerning the delay in implementation of the expanded estate recovery.
February 26, 2004 - Legislative Update and Guardianship Info - Up do date information on the Medicaid/MassHealth issues in the legislature and part one of a series on Guardianships.
February 12, 2004 - Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Credit - Description of tax refund available to people over 65 who would not normally file income taxes because their income is too low, they must file a tax return to get this refund. See how to get your taxes prepared for free.
February 5, 2004 - Medicare HMO Rates Falling - Effective March 1, 2004 Medicare Advantage Health Plans (formerly known as Medicare + Choice) monthly premiums will be dropping, some by almost 50% !
January 29, 2004 - Do You Need To Update Your Will - Updating your will is not always necessary, sometimes it is, read about it.
January 22, 2004 - Caregiver Child - A child living in your home can protect it from nursing home expenses. This article discusses a recent case allowing such protection.
January 15, 2004 - Legislative Update - Summary of the need for an override of Governor Romney's veto of the delay in implementation of the expanded estate recovery.
January 8, 2004 - Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit - Summary of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 which begins on January 1, 2006 and the related drug discount card program that starts in May 2004
January 1, 2004 - Romney is the Grinch - Summary of the ramifications of making gifts under the stringent new MassHealth rules
December 25, 2003 - Web Sites, Not Just For Elders - This is a list of my favorite web sites that I use daily at work. Each Link has a short description with it.
December 18, 2003 - Protecting the Home Part 2 - An analysis of the use of a trust to protect the home and the effect of the proposed waiver request.
December 4, 2003 - Protecting the Home Part 1 - An analysis of the techniques of protecting the home and the recent legislative effect on those procedures.
November 27, 2003 - Elders Homes At Risk - Summary of the legislative changes affecting seniors in Massachusetts. The expanded estate recovery seeks to allow the Commonwealth to recover nursing home expenses in new ways.
November 20, 2003 - Good News From The Legislature - Summary of Supplemental Budget passed by House and Senate, unfortunately Romney vetoed the positive changes for Medicaid, sending it back to the House for an override.
November 6, 2003 - Medicare, Medigap and Medicare + Choice - Explanation of the benefits under Medicare, discussion of Medigap health insurance policies and Medicare + Choice health insurance policies.
October 30, 2003 - Testamentary Trusts and Medicaid Planning - The use of testamentary trusts to protect assets from nursing home costs for married couples.
October 23, 2003 - Homesteads in Massachusetts - Summary of the homestead protection afforded homeowners in Massachusetts.
October 16, 2003 - The Real Truth About Annuities - Discussion of tax deferred annuities and reported abuse in sales practices and affect upon MassHealth eligibility.
October 9, 2003 - A Few Simple Things - Discussion of the two most important planning documents that every senior should have, a durable power of attorney and health care proxy, plus an explanation of the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Credit.
October 2, 2003 - Long Term Care Insurance - Review of the pro's and con's of purchasing long term care insurance. There remains a trap for the unwary in Massachusetts.
September 24, 2003 - Wrap Up of 2003 Changes - Summary of the drastic devastating changes made to Medicaid by your governor, Romney.
September 17, 2003 - The Wholesale Assault on the Finances of Elders - Explanation of the change from asset first to income first for Medicaid and how it has devastated elderly married women.
August 28, 2003 - Elders Lose Home Protection - Summary of new legislation that affects the ownership rights of the homes of elders.