 |
 |
December
2010
|
| In This
Issue |
|
|
|
New Medicare Premium, Deductible and Co-Pay Charges for
2011
The basic premium for
Medicare Part B will be $115.40 a month in 2011, up from $110.50 in
2010 (a 4.4 percent increase). But because there will be no cost of
living benefit increase for Social Security recipients for 2011,
most beneficiaries will be exempted from paying this increase and
will instead pay the same $96.40 premium amount they have paid since
2008.
Hospital Trying to Revoke Daughter's Power of Attorney
In an
effort to discharge an elderly patient, a Chicago hospital is going
to court to revoke the power of attorney of the patient's daughter
and substitute it with a guardianship.
Courts Reject 'Urban Legend' That Medicare Nursing Coverage
Requires Improvement
In welcome news for
seniors and the disabled with chronic conditions, two federal courts
in the past two months have ruled that Medicare's coverage of
skilled care does not require a beneficiary to show improvement.
Instead, both courts said that Medicare can pay for skilled care if
it is needed simply to preserve a patient's current functioning or
prevent further decline.
IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for
2011
Social Security benefits
may be stagnant, but the IRS is increasing the amount you can deduct
on your 2011 taxes as a result of buying long-term care
insurance.
|
|
|
| Disclaimer:
The information contained in this newsletter is not intended
as legal advice and should not be relied upon to answer any
specific questions concerning your own circumstances or for
purposes of legal planning. For specific legal advice, please
contact our offices. |
| |
|
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=small}