Why Get Medicaid?

As   SABRINA TAVERNISE   writes in the New York Times today, Peace of Mind Is First Benefit for Many Now Getting Medicaid. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/health/peace-of-mind-is-first-benefit-for-many-now-getting-medicaid.html?hp&_r=0

This excerpt from the article says enough: As health care coverage under the new law sputters to life, it is already having a profound effect on the lives of poor Americans. Enrollment in private insurance plans has been sluggish, but sign-ups for Medicaid, the federal insurance program for the poor, have surged in many states. Here in West Virginia, which has some of the shortest life spans and highest poverty rates in the country, the strength of the demand has surprised officials, with more than 75,000 people enrolling in Medicaid.

Seniors who have no hope of paying the costs of nursing home care rely on Medicaid or gifts from children who cannot afford to fund their parents' care along with their own planning for retirement.

Of course you have heard of the Medicaid Expansion as part of President Obama's Healthcare plan, the Affordable Care Act. You can see many of the arguments for an against it here: http://www.democratichub.com/medicaid.aspx?o=pv&gclid=CJqe4-fkjbwCFTNp7AodMlUAfQ

AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons has a great website that allows you to search for answers on all questions, not just Medicaid. Go to http://www.aarp.org/ for all your AARP answers.

Applying for Medicaid is different in each state; in Florida, go to the Agency for Healthcare Administration's website at http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/
or just go here: http://www.goalbuilder.com/search/medicaid.html

If you are like most, the various websites and confusing applications can cause all the stress that is supposed to be relieved as noted in the NYT article. http://www.nytimes.com/

Save your stress, when you have questions, call 407-645-3297 or visit our website at www.aubreylaw.com
Thanks for stopping by to read, feel free to send me a comment or question.

1629 Miles for Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, we drove to Signal Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, to spend the holiday with my family. My parents still live on a farm there and my brother and his wife had their second child, a boy, the Thursday before Thanksgiving. I planned to cook the traditional Turkey, dressing and cranberry salad at my mother's then take dinner to my brother and his family in the valley.

Just before we left for the trip, my wife learned of her college roommate's mother's passing in Greenville, Tennessee, about 3 1/2 hours north of Chattanooga. Since we were also planning to drive to Durham, NC for the Duke v. Miami game, we made the detour for the funeral. This meant Four days of driving over a 6 day holiday weekend. We left Florida Tuesday evening and made it almost to Macon, Ga., before spending the night. Waking up in Cordell, we drove most of the morning to reach Tennessee; however, just before leaving Georgia, we stopped for lunch at my sister's house for lunch with her and her 3 wonderful children. Later that afternoon, we finally arrived at my Grandfather's farm on Signal Mountain. The evening centered on making the oyster dressing and cranberry salad with groceries brought from Florida.

Thanksgiving Day, I spent most of the morning walking around the farm after putting the turkey in the oven to roast. Mom, Dad and I surveyed the back fence lines and tried to find one corner so we could put the final fence up between my mom's property and that sold to a new owner. After we ate lunch, my brother finally arrived with his 2 year old son, so Andy and I walked the fence lines again to verify proper markings corresponded to the deeds issued by the probate court. After it got dark, Andy took dinner home to his wife and baby, and we planned to follow to get a look at the newest Ducker. Unfortunately, as we went to get in the car, I realized I did not have my keys. Fearing I had dropped them somewhere over the miles of fence line I had traversed today, all woodsy and briar filled, I was rather apoplectic. Thankfully my wife found the keys right where I had dropped them in our room.

On Friday morning, we left about sunup to drive to Greeneville for the funeral. My wife's college roommate's mother had been living in Greeneville, Tennessee, to be near one daughter who could take care of her to prevent having to go to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Ironically, the funeral occurred at Tusculum Baptist Church, across the street from Tusculum College, one of the schools my 17-year old is considering. We drove around before the funeral taking in the beautiful campus and sports facilities.

I'll have to write more tomorrow! If you need assistance in selecting an attorney in the Central Florida area for a Collaborative Divorce, Elder Law, Family Law, Guardianship or other question, please call me at 407-645-3297 or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com

Thanks, Aubrey

Legislators Vote Against Seniors

When the U.S. Government provides a program funding care for seniors, states should accept the money and care for seniors. Begun in 2005 under President George W. Bush, the "Money Follows the Person" was designed to allow seniors in nursing homes to transfer home and still receive some level of care through continued Medicaid Funding.

The cost of nursing home care averages more than $5,000 per month; seniors' cost of care is Very Expensive.

BUT, how much more expensive is it to care for seniors in their own home rather than in a nursing home? NOT you might answer. Many seniors could remain in their home or return to their home, but for lack of funding. Medicaid will pay for the nursing home care, but it is very difficult to gain the same level of care at home without Medicaid assistance.

On June 24 this year, the Florida Legislative Budget Commission voted to REJECT $35.7 Million to fund care for seniors in their home. As Florida has one of the Highest Per Capita Populations of Seniors, you would think the Legislature would accept money from a program set up by President George W. Bush. Not so in today's political landscape. The Budget Committee voted to reject the federal money as "duplicative" of state programs and funding. Representatives Ed Hooper, Mike Horner, Matt Hudson, Don Gaetz, Garrett Richter, Stephen Wise, Rob Shenk and Denile Grimsley, all Republicans, voted AGAINST acceptance of the federal money.

When you are trying to find care for your senior adult, it is imperative that all resources be counted to see if they qualify for Medicaid. Unfortunately, "all sources of income" are NOT counted, or even accepted, by the state when they seek to balance the budget.

If you have a senior in need of nursing home care, selecting the right attorney practicing in Elder Law can be challenging. Please call me at 407-645-3297 or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com

I look forward to speaking with you.

Speaking engagement on Saturday

My wife will be speaking at the second anniversary of the Professional Men's Christian Fellowship Meeting at Baldwin Park on Saturday, June 13th at 6:30 PM. Having worked with her on the outline for her topic, Spiritual Empowerment During Economic Slowdown or Financial Issues During Recession, I wanted to share some excerpts here.

Personal Skills related to Financial Management

a. Earning potential
i. Education
ii. Training
iii. Ability
iv. Societal Need

b. Personal Management potential
i. Budgeting
ii. Time – everybody gets the same 24 hours per day
iii. Talents – Know which talents serve you best
iv. Treasures – Money Management – Cash Flow
v. Keeping up with the Neighbors – Things – Needs v. Wants

Source of Financial Crisis

A. Spending more than we earn

1. Knowing what we earn
a. Gross Pay – Wages Tips and other Compensation
b. Federal Tax Withheld
c. Social Security Tax Withheld
d. Medicare Tax Withheld
e. Health Insurance Paid by Employer
f. 401K or other Retirement Contributions
g. All other deductions (Union Dues)
h. Net Pay

2. Knowing what we spend
a. Fill up the gas tank
b. Lunch out
c. Dinner out with the family
d. Trip to the Grocery Store
e. “Unexpected Expenditures”
New Tires, brakes, car repairs not covered by the warranty
Medical co-pays
Emergencies

3. Spending Wisely - Budgeting