In the News: Medicaid Researching Social Determinants of Health

It should come as no surprise that where we are born, grow, live, work, play, and age can have a dramatic impact on our health. Over the last ten years, creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all has been a top priority for several organizations, including the World Health Organization. Now, Medicaid officials are looking at … Read More

Watch Your Language: Elder Law

Often defined by the age of the clients, Elder Law is unlike virtually every other practice area. Across the country, the term “elder law” is typically used synonymously with “Medicaid planning.” Admittedly, even on this blog we spend a lot of our time talking about Medicaid and nursing home care. But Medicaid planning only scratches the surface of all the … Read More

Watch Your Language: MMMNA

When a Medicaid applicant is married, the rules allow their spouse to retain a minimum amount of assets and income. We’ve already talked about the community spouse resource allowance (CSRA); the minimum income level is called the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA). [Read More]

Watch Your Language: CSRA

Recently we’ve referred to the community spouse a super hero. For this super hero, the special abilities aren’t mutations or the result of a yellow sun – she can’t fly and he’s not super-strong. Instead, their powers are tied directly to their status as the healthy spouse – the spouse who doesn’t need nursing home care. [Read More]

Making Long-Term Care Insurance a Part of Your Estate Plan

one area that often gets overlooked in the estate planning process is long-term care insurance. People have a variety of reasons for overlooking long-term care insurance, and, while some or all of these justifications may be true, it may still make sense to at least discuss the risks with your Northwest Iowa trust and estates attorney. [Read More]