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Medicaid Planning

Babette B. Bach, Esq. to speak for the Women’s Club of the Palm Aire Country Club

By Estate Planning, Firm News, Medicaid Planning, Medicare

Babette Bach will be the keynote speaker for a seminar March 15, 2013 at the Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota. Topics will include estate planning and the basic recommended documents to have in place, Medicare and Medicaid Planning.

Ms. Bach is looking forward to speaking to the members of the woman’s club on such an important topic. She appreciates the invite to lecture.

If you need legal advice for Estate Planning, Medicare, Medicaid planning, or VA planning, please contact our office at (941) 906-1231 for an initial consultation.

March 5, 2013
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Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Program Recipients Wonder how Reform Will Affect Benefits in 2013

By Medicaid Planning, Medicare

The end of the year approaches and uncertainty grows.  Policy leaders in the U.S. have yet to reach an agreement on a policy package which will help the U.S. economy avert the pitfalls associated with the scheduled spending cuts and tax increases.

One side calls for increased tax, another for reduced government spending.  The budget remains deadlocked.  Many Americans want to know how political policy revisions will affect the deficit and supplemental programs.

State and federally funding programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, remain on the table for revisions and recipients are concerned.

Medicare spending totaled $492 billion in 2012 and that total is expected to rise over the next 10 years.  Health care costs continue to skyrocket.  This rise plus incline in lifespan is playing havoc on the deficit.  Both Republicans and Democrats believe that reform is needed.  Measures must be taken to improve Medicaid and Medicare.  Experts believe there is not enough time in 2012 to work out a long tem solution.  Short term deals will be made regarding the end of the year budget with long term plans being reviewed after the New Year.

If you need advice for Medicare or Medicaid planning, estate planning, probate and trust administration or VA benefits, please contact our office at (941) 906-1231 for an initial consultation.

December 9, 2012
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Babette B. Bach, Esq. to Speak at the Institute of Advanced Medicine

By Firm News, Medicaid Planning, Medicare

 Babette Bach will be the keynote speaker for a seminar on November 21, 2012 at the Institute of Advanced Medicine in Sarasota, Florida.  Topics will include Medicare and Medicaid, along with elder law advice on financial matters and asset protection planning.

Ms. Bach is looking forward to speaking to the members of the hospital staff on such important topics.

If you need legal advice for estate planning, Medicare, Medicaid planning, or VA planning, please contact our office at (941) 906-1231 for an initial consultation.

November 16, 2012
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Babette B. Bach, Esq. to Speak on Medicare Changes for 2013 Post-Election

By Firm News, Medicare

 Babette Bach will be the keynote speaker for a seminar on November 14, 2012 at Kobernick House in Sarasota, Florida regarding potential Medicare changes in 2013.  Topics will include potential Medicare changes now that the election is over, what is already in place despite the election and what could change after the election based on the outcome of the election.

Ms. Bach is looking forward to speaking to the community on such an important topic.

If you need legal advice for estate planning, Medicare, Medicaid planning, or VA planning, please contact our office at (941) 906-1231 for an initial consultation.

November 12, 2012
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Babette B. Bach, Esq. to Speak for Suncoast Paralegal Association

By Firm News, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Veterans Affairs

 Babette Bach will be the keynote speaker for a seminar on November 12, 2012 at Marina Jacks in Sarasota, Florida for our local Suncoast Paralegal Association.  Topics will include Medicare and Medicaid benefits, along with Veterans Benefits and Estate Planning.

Ms. Bach is looking forward to speaking to the members of the association on such important topics.  She appreciates the invite to lecture to paralegals from all fields of the law.

If you need legal advice for estate planning, Medicare, Medicaid planning, or VA planning, please contact our office at (941) 906-1231 for an initial consultation.

November 6, 2012
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Medicaid for the Aged or Disabled

By Medicaid Planning

Medicaid for individuals who are either aged (65 or older) or disabled is called SSI-Related Medicaid.

Florida residents who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically eligible for Medicaid coverage from the Social Security Administration. There is no need to file a separate ACCESS Florida application unless nursing home services are needed.

Individuals may apply for Medicaid coverage and other services using the online ACCESS Florida Application and submitting their application electronically. If long term care services in a nursing home or community setting are needed, the individual must meet a health test, an income test and an asset test. Long-term Care Diversion provides in-home or assisted living services that help prevent institutionalization.  Long-term Care Diversion also has a health test, an income test and an asset test.

For more information on Medicaid and Medicaid programs, visit www.dcf.state.fl.us

If you need legal advice for Medicaid planning, VA planning or estate planning, please contact our office for a consultation.  We do not recommend an application be filed if one is not asset qualified.

 

Babette B. Bach, Esquire, Board Certified Elder Law

Bach & Jacobs, P.A.

240 S. Pineapple Avenue, Suite 700

Sarasota, FL 34236

941-906-1231

941-954-1185 facsimile

www.bachjacobs.com

June 5, 2012
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Medicaid Adult Protective Services Program

By Medicaid Planning

The Adult Protective Services Program is charged with protecting vulnerable adults from being harmed (Chapter 415, F.S.). These adults may experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation by second parties or may fail to take care of themselves adequately. Florida statutes require any person who knows or who has reasonable cause to suspect any abuse of vulnerable adults to report that information to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

The Florida Abuse Hotline screens allegations of adult abuse/neglect to determine whether the information meets the criteria of an abuse report. If the criteria is met, a protective investigation is initiated to confirm whether or not there is evidence that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred; whether there is an immediate or long-term risk to the victim; and whether the victim needs additional services to safeguard his or her well-being.

In addition, Adult Protective Services assists vulnerable adults to live dignified and reasonably independent lives in their own homes or in the homes of relatives or friends so that they may be assured the least restrictive environment suitable to their needs (s. 410.602, F.S.).

For more information on Medicaid and Medicaid programs, visit www.dcf.state.fl.us

If you need legal advice for Medicaid planning, VA planning or estate planning, please contact our office for an initial consultation.

Babette B. Bach, Esquire, Board Certified Elder Law

Bach & Jacobs, P.A.

240 S. Pineapple Avenue, Suite 700

Sarasota, FL 34236

941-906-1231

941-954-1185 facsimile

www.bachjacobs.com

May 28, 2012
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Medicaid Qualification and Application and Medicaid Planning Strategies

By Medicaid Planning
Quick facts about Medicaid
  • Medicaid is a federal and state program that pays for long term care for those individuals that qualify.
  • There is a wrong assumption that Medicare covers long term care. Medicare does not cover costs of basic daily life expenses such as bathing, eating dressing, walking… Medicaid does.
  • The average cost for the Nursing Home in Sarasota County is $7,000.00 per month. These costs are rising annually.
  • If eligible, Medicaid pays the difference between the Applicant’s gross income and his or her care costs.
  • Law provides many Medicaid asset protection planning tools to help you dispose of your assets so that you can still use them for the rest of your life and still qualify for Medicaid.
  • Medicaid planning is technical and often complex. No two cases are alike.
What do we do?
  • Analyze your current assets, estate planning documents and medical expenses
  • Give you detailed explanation of available options for your (or your beloved one’s) Medicaid qualification
  • Provide you guidance for implementation of selected Medicaid asset protection plan. We do not sell any commercial products. We are independent legal advisors looking after your best interest.
  • Complete Medicaid application on your behalf.

 

December 28, 2010
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Special Needs Trust with Babette and Fred (VIDEO)

By Estate Planning

 

Babette: One of the things that an elder law attorney specializes in is estate planning for a disabled beneficiary. Many of our clients have children or grandchildren who are suffering from various disabilities and receive governmental benefits. If they receive medicaid, they need to do a special needs trust in order for that beneficiary to be able to receive an inheritance and have their governmental benefits protected. We often work on a team approach doing the estate planning for a family that’s very concerned about a disabled beneficiary.
Fred: The special needs trust is a very exacting document. You must draft the document so that the beneficiary, that is, the disabled person, gets all the benefits from the trust that the creator of the trust intended but at the same time, does not get kicked off medicaid or another governmental benefit. The way you accomplish that is to give to the trustee, whether it be a family member or perhaps a trust department of a bank, the complete discretion as to whether or not to distribute income or principle benefits to the disabled beneficiary so long as everything is done in the best interests of the beneficiary.

September 29, 2010
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