Displaying items by tag: patient
Medicaid: Transitioning from Skilled Nursing to Assisted Living
Meet Laurie E. Ohall:
Link: The Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall
Laurie Ohall is a Florida Board Certified Elder law attorney who has been practicing law since 1994. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and elder law which includes the related fields of asset protection planning, probate, guardianship and trust administration. Ms. Ohall is Of Counsel at the law firm of Browning, Meyer and Ball Co., LPA.
Ms. Ohall is a member of the Florida Bar (1994) and the Ohio Bar (2010) and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. She is a member of the Brandon Bar Association (Past President, 2009 – 2010, Treasurer 2010-2011), the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the Academy of Florida Elder Law attorneys (AFELA). She is also a section member of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Division and the Elder Law division of the Florida Bar, and serves as co-chair of the Resident’s Rights Committee for the Elder law section. Ms. Ohall is also a Board member of the Momentum Festival, Inc., a not-for-profit committed to raising money for local charities.
Ms. Ohall graduated in 1991 from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received her Juris Doctorate in 1994 from Stetson University College of Law. She served as a Teaching Fellow in Legal Research and Writing while in law school at Stetson University College of Law.
Ms. Ohall has published several articles related to estate planning and asset protection and she is a speaker in the elder law, estate planning and probate related fields for the National Business Institute. She is also a frequent lecturer at community events for topics related to estate planning basics, Medicaid and VA benefits.
Medicaid: Transitioning from Skilled Nursing to Assisted Living.
If you have a loved one who is being cared for in a skilled nursing facility and is receiving Medicaid benefits, and that person no longer needs to be in skilled nursing (but cannot live on their own or is unable to come home), they may be able to transfer to an assisted living facility and qualify for Medicaid without having to be on a waiting list. Unfortunately, the Medicaid program that pays for care in assisted living typically has a long waiting list and it is hard to get benefits under this program (while the program that pays for skilled nursing care does not have a waiting list).
There is a little known rule under the Medicaid rules known as the "60-day Transition Rule" which allows a nursing home resident to move from skilled nursing to the community (whether that be back home or into assisted living) and qualify for Medicaid without having to be on the waiting list. Unfortunately, most nursing home and assisted living facility administrators do not know about this program or how it works because the Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Health Care Administration have done nothing to get the word out about this program. And, if you do not follow the exact rules for this program (which is also not well-known), you could lose Medicaid services and be placed on the wait-list for the Medicaid Diversion programs.
It is important to note that, in order for this program to work, the applicant must have been in skilled nursing for 60 consecutive days. Next, the applicant (or his/her representative) must contact the CARES unit (CARES stands for "Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services" and is Florida’s federally mandated pre-admission screening program for nursing home applicants) in their area to open a transition case. It is up to the CARES caseworker to determine whether the person can be safely discharged into the community. Once the application is approved, the applicant can transition into an ALF and does not have to go on a waiting list to receive Medicaid Diversion services.
Although this sounds complicated, with the help of a qualified Elder law attorney, your loved one may be able to make the transition from skilled nursing back into the community either to their home or assisted living and still be able to receive some Medicaid benefits. Contact Laurie Ohall, Board Certified Elder law attorney, for further questions.
Life is a Test
Everyone can remember how it feels to take a “test.” It isn’t very comfortable. There is a sense that your response to a select group of questions, chosen by one or more people that may not think quite like you, will dictate the next step you take in a class, a promotion for a job, any number of things.
Life gives us tests every day. We don’t necessarily consider an illness “a test,” or a problem marriage “a test,” but they are. We learn lessons through the experiences we have. Some are positive, some aren’t, but whether the experience is good or bad, we have to adjust and work through the experience.
You would think that once you have lived through a negative experience, like choosing a poor partner, that you would not ever make that mistake again! People say that. But isn’t it odd when you see friends or relatives get out of one bad situation and in a short period of time, find themselves in another relationship with a similar type person? What in the world are they thinking?
The problem is that they are not thinking it through. They are not trying to change the choices that they make; in fact they are choosing to make choices that are in their comfort zone because it is familiar to them. It may not be good for them, but it is what they know.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Believe that you deserve more. Don’t allow yourself to think you are not worth a better life. You are worth it. Maybe you don’t know how to make the changes that need to be made. Let us know what you are thinking. Send us a message through Contact Us.
We are here to help you! “Now, let’s get going!” xo Sally
Thought For The Day
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"If you're going through hell, keep going."Winston Churchill When it feels like you are living your worst nightmare, you probably are. After all, for most people experience is what you get, when you weren’t expecting the result you were looking for. Everyone has a different level of spirituality. I personally think that being spiritual is very helpful when we are doing our…
Questions Answered Here!
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This article will start a new series of general information to answer different questions sent to us by you! Please submit your questions through the web site at Contact Us. Always remember that the thoughts expressed at Sallycares.com are never intended to take the place of the advice of your…
Sally's Spotlight
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While out walking our dogs with a neighbor on a warm, autumn Sunday morning, we discussed plans for the day. She mentioned she and her husband were going to the theater that evening to hear a New Orleans jazz trombone player and his ensemble. My husband’s ears perked up, as…
Legal Corner
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in Legal CornerMany times, clients come into my office stating that they need to have Last Will and Testaments done and at the same time, they tell me they want to avoid probate of their estate after they die. These clients are usually very adamant that they do not want the government to get their assets, they do not want their families…
Senior Citizens Discounts
This information was passed along to us; we thought this would be interesting information to post on our website, since we all love a good deal!
In order to receive the Senior Citizen discounts listed below, you have to mention the discount prior to paying.
If you find that some of these locations do not offer the discount any longer, or if you come across a vendor that should be added to the list, please go the “Contact US” Tab on the homepage of the website. Send us an email, for a vendor to be added or removed. Happy Shopping& Saving! ~ From the staff at Sallycares.com
RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddruckers: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gaetti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)
GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)
TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods. (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations.
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).
MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off haircuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)