Medicaid and Long Term Care
5 (Costly) Medicaid Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years.”
The Medicaid program, although challenging to navigate, can provide some relief for seniors and their families when in need of long-term care. Unlike Medicare (which does not cover long-term care), Medicaid is a means-tested program. In other words, you can only possess a small amount of money or property, have a low income, or both qualify. Seniors often wish to preserve their money out of …
Up and Personal with Telelaw
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
Remember not so long ago when “up and personal” meant a hug or handshake? When getting together didn’t require a mask? When sitting in my office care meant we could sit at a table together and not worry about our health and passing germs?
I miss seeing my clients. I miss having them come into my office and getting to know them on a personal level. I’m saddened they are leery of leaving their homes due to a virus that they can’t see or feel. But I’m heartened that we now have the option …
Expanding Medicaid During a Pandemic
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
I wouldn’t have thought that Oklahoma would be the first state to vote on expanding Medicaid since the COVID-19 pandemic began. I congratulate the Oklahomans!
There are currently 38 states that had previously expanded Medicaid, with my home state of Washington having adopted and implemented the expansion in 2014.
What is Medicaid?
As many of you already know, my passion has always been to give back to my community. Since 2000 when I opened Evergreen Elder Law in Spokane, WA, one area that we have specialized in is Medicaid, also known as, Apple Health coverage. …
What Is Elder Law?
Advances in science and technology have allowed us to live longer, fuller lives. People are often living well into their 80’s and 90’s and their families face a complex set of legal and financial issues that include estate planning, asset protection, paying for long-term care and more. Elder law is a branch of law that serves the needs of the elderly and the disabled as well as their family.
Most often this includes the following legal areas:
Medicare Made Simple Podcast Interview (audio)
Bringing together thought leaders in senior care to share with you how they help seniors make the best decisions during life transitions. Host John Fox helps seniors understand their medicare options and make the right choices for their needs.
TOP ATTORNEYS / 2017
A BEACON OF LIGHT IN ELDER LAW & ESTATE PLANNING
MAKING A DIFFERENCE in the community and helping people were two reasons Holland McBurns became an attorney. Evergreen Elder Law focuses on estate planning, probate and assisting clients and their families with accessing long-term care benefits without going broke. Holland takes a team-centered and holistic approach to helping families resolve these issues.
Because elder law requires great attention to detail and follow through, Holland receives the most satisfaction from her work when she has successfully helped a family achieve a happy resolution to their legal issue. Recently, Holland has …
Caring Transitions of Spokane Interview (audio)
Host Michael Begley, owner of Caring Transitions of Spokane, speaks with Holland McBurns. Holland is an Elder Law attorney at Evergreen Elder Law in Spokane. She is accredited with the Veterans Administration to help clients receive their Aid & Attendance Benefit and can help clients preserve their assets when dealing with Medicaid. Furthermore she works on cases related to probate, estate planning and long-term care. Don’t miss this podcast, there is a lot of great information.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: The Costs of Dementia
November was Alzheimer’s disease and Awareness month. It’s the perfect time to educate people about the disease of Alzheimer’s (and other dementias) and the effects of the disease on its victims and their loved ones. In this edition of the ElderCounselor™, we are going to focus on the high costs associated with long term care and dementia during the final years.
Veteran’s Benefits for Senior Veteran’s and Surviving Spouses
There is a little known benefit available to Veteran’s and their surviving spouses to help pay for long-term care. This is the Aid and Attendance Pension benefit which is a cash benefit that is tax free. Why is this benefit important? Many seniors today are faced with the ever-rising cost of long-term care and the question is how will they be able to pay for care without going broke. In Washington State, longterm care costs continue to rise each year. For example, Assisted living costs are often well above $4,000 a month depending on the particular needs of …
