Medicare fraud costs American taxpayers billions of dollars each year. Last year Medicare removed Social Security numbers from Medicare ID cards and issued new Identification numbers to all beneficiaries as a way of reducing the amount of fraud. (See my prior article: Social Security Numbers to be Removed from Medicare ID Cards). According to CMS […]
Why Can’t we Lower Prescription Drug Prices?
Donald Trump promised to do it. Hillary Clinton promised to do it. Almost all Congressional candidates promise to do it. So, why can’t we pass legislation to lower prescription drug prices? Why do Americans pay so much more for pharmaceuticals than consumers in the rest of the world? One reason may be the tremendous influence […]
Crucial Issues to Cover in your Power of Attorney
Someday we may become unable to manage our finances or make health and personal care decisions for ourselves. Incapacity can strike at any age, but the risk increases as we grow older. If we become incapacitated who will make decisions for us? Will it be the right person? Will they understand and follow our wishes? […]
New Rule on Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements
The Federal Government has issued a final rule that limits the use of pre-dispute arbitration agreements between nursing facilities and their residents. The final rule was published on July 16, 2019 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the government agency that regulates Medicare and Medicaid program providers. When someone is admitted to […]
Protecting Older Individuals from Heat Related Illnesses
Given Pennsylvania’s most recent heat wave, it is more important than ever to make sure that you and your loved ones are protected from heat related illnesses. This may not come as a surprise to you, but elderly individuals, those over the age of 65, are more prone to heat related illnesses than their younger […]
New 2019 Edition of “Elder Law in Pennsylvania” is Published
The Pennsylvania Bar Institute has announced the July 2019 publication of the 5th Edition of Elder Law in Pennsylvania. The book is widely recognized as the most comprehensive treatise on elder law in Pennsylvania. Elder Law focuses on the laws, regulations and legal planning that are of critical importance to the elderly and people with […]
PA Eliminates Tax on Some Parent to Child Inheritances
Pennsylvania has now eliminated state inheritance tax on transfers from a parent to or for the use of a child age 21 or younger upon the death of the parent. This includes transfers from a natural parent, adoptive parent or stepparent. Pennsylvania inheritance tax is imposed as a percentage of the value of most property […]