Do You Have College Age Children? A Health Care Proxy is a Must

Imagine this scenario:  you are the parent of a college student. Your telephone rings one evening and on the other end is your child’s roommate telling you that your child was just rushed to the emergency room. You call the hospital for information and identify yourself as the parent.  The hospital advises you that because your …

Advance Directives and Paid Family Leave: A Must for Aging Family Members and Elder Caregivers

The implementation of Paid Family Leave in New York State may help individuals who are caring for elderly family members.  However, it does not eliminate problems for the working elder caregiver.  In fact, not planning ahead can cause even more headaches for an elder caregiver who is requesting time off under Paid Family Leave. It …

GDGC News and Events June 2017

GDGC Managing Partner, Jennifer Cona, Moderating ABA Program on June 20, 2017 GDGC Managing Partner, Jennifer Cona, is moderating an American Bar Association (ABA) webinar on "The Life Insurance Policy Crisis: The Advisors’ and Trustees’ Guide to Managing Risks and Avoiding a Client Crisis." Tuesday, June 20, 2017 1:00 - 2:30pm 1.50 CLEs for Attorneys For …

Managed Long Term Care at Home: Proactive Action Required to Expedite Benefits

Managed Long Term Care at Home:  Proactive Action Required to Expedite Benefits There are two components to a Medicaid Home Care application: the financial eligibility review and the medical assessment to determine the appropriate number of hours of home health aide services. Recent events have led to a dramatic back-log of medical assessments, causing applicants …

Medicare Observation Status: Beware of this Coverage Pitfall

After a 3 day or more in-patient hospital stay, an individual transferred from a hospital directly to a nursing home or rehabilitation center is entitled to Medicare coverage for a certain period of time. However, individuals kept on “observation” status are not entitled to such Medicare coverage. Imagine that your loved one was in the hospital for …

Legal Alert – Bed-Hold: On Hold

Bed-Hold: On Hold SNFs Will Continue to be Paid for Bed-Hold Days Until Further Notice   Governor Cuomo’s goal of saving $18 million annually by eliminating bed-hold was passed in the April New York State budget but is now on hold.  Once implemented, SNFs with a 95% or greater census holding a resident’s bed due …

GDGC Partner Melissa Negrin-Wiener honored as an Outstanding Woman in Law by Hofstra University

We are pleased to announce that GDGC Partner Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq. received the Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law  Outstanding Woman in Law Award for 2017.This is a well-deserved achievement for Melissa in recognition of her continued selfless advocacy for seniors on Long Island and meaningful contributions to the legal community. Melissa Negrin-Wiener was …

Tax Planning vs. Medicaid Planning: Avoid Costly Mistakes

Tax season is an important time to re-visit the difference between the IRS rules and the Medicaid eligibility rules – in order to avoid potential costly mistakes. For example, you may want to give a gift of $14,000 to your children and benefit from the IRS annual gift tax exemption.  However, if you need Medicaid …

Medicaid Home Care: How Many Hours Will Be Approved?

Medicaid Home Care in New York is provided by Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plans. MLTCs provide Medicaid home care and case management services to people who need long-term care in the community. The MLTC decides how many hours of care you or your loved one will receive and arranges for that care by a network …

GDGC April 2017 News and Events

Do you have questions about Assisted Living and Home Care?   Representatives from Amber Court Assisted Living and Amber Court at Home are hosting free consultations at GDGC's Susan C. Snowe Caregiver Resource Center in April. Amber Court Assisted Living, a residential facility, and Amber Court at Home, a Certified Home Health Care Agency, provide customized care for your loved one, exactly …