Further Erosion of Protections under ACA

August 20, 2018

On July 7, 2018, the Trump Administration suspended risk adjustment payments between health care insurers, a program created by the Affordable Care Act to maintain stability in the marketplace by pooling the risk of the insurance companies. Under ACA, companies had to cover individuals with preexisting conditions, which creates risk. It is anticipated that insurance premiums will increase in 2019, decreasing the availability of health care.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/us/politics/trump-risk-adjustment-payments-obamacare.html

As the future of the insurance marketplace becomes uncertain, it becomes imperative to plan ahead to ensure access to quality health insurance and to protect your assets.

Widespread Underreporting of Staffing Levels by Nursing Homes

August 20, 2018

New data, required by the Affordable Care Act, shows that a majority of nursing homes underreported staffing to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), having an average decrease of 12% in staffing levels compared to unverified reports previously submitted by nursing homes. CMS relied on these reports to rate nursing homes. If you relied on these rating for nursing home staffing levels, you were mislead.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/health/nursing-homes-staffing-medicare.html

How can you reduce the chances of placing yourself or a loved one in an understaffed nursing home? If you plan ahead you may allow yourself to remain in your home with quality care from professionals.

Filing for Disability Benefits after Your Loved One is Deceased

February 19, 2014

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) is a benefit available from the federal government to individuals who are disabled and who have worked for a certain number of years set by the Social Security Administration.

What if your loved one suffered from a disability before his or her death, but never applied for benefits?

You can apply for SSD on behalf of your deceased spouse, parent, or child up to three months after the date that he or she died.  You may be eligible for retroactive disability payments on your loved one’s behalf for up to 12 months before the date that you file the application.

For more information and assistance filing the application, please contact the firm at (212) 308-4810.