Joseph L. Matthews, Expert
Caring.com Expert
Joseph L. Matthews has been an attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1971. From 1975 to 1977 he taught at the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of numerous books, including Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions; Long-Term Care: How to Plan and Pay for It; How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim; and The Lawyer Who Blew up His Desk. The original coauthor of Joseph's book on Social Security and Medicare was his mother, Dorothy, who had worked at senior centers for 25 years. Joseph then assisted her with her own care during the later years of her life, arranging her legal and financial documents and helping her move to home care and assisted living as her needs changed.
Recently Published on Caring.com
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My mother has been denied medicaid and social security, what other options are there? — Mar 23, 2009Even if your mother is not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits on her own work record, because she was not in the paid work force for long enough, she wil...
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What is an RPPO medicare complete choice plan? — Mar 11, 2009Medicare RPPO stands for Regional Preferred Provider Organization. A preferred provider organization is one of the several different ways you can participate in Medicare. T... -
Am I eligible for a Medigap disablility insurance policy if I'm on Social Security disability? — Mar 10, 2009It depends on where you live. You are eligible for all parts of Medicare when you've been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months. But ... -
Do disabled veterans need Medicare? — Mar 09, 2009A veteran who is eligible for both VA medical benefits and Medicare may enroll in both programs and receive benefits from both. For any specific medical treatment or servic... -
How Does Someone Get Coverage for a Non Formulary Drug? — Mar 05, 2009If you have a prescription for a drug that isn't on your plan's formulary, there are several things you -- or a family member -- can do. First, ask your Part D plan for an ... -
How Can I Get Medicare to Send Me Parent's Paperwork — Mar 05, 2009Medicare -- through the Social Security Administration -- has a fairly simple procedure to help set things up the way you and your parent want it.If your parent is still co... -
Should I Enroll in Medicare Part D? — Mar 05, 2009 For someone who doesn't take regular prescription drugs, the answer is probably no -- especially if the premium, which averages $35 a month, is more than she typicall... -
FAQ: Can Medicaid Coverage Be Retroactive? — Mar 05, 2009Yes, Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California) medical, home care, and nursing home coverage can be retroactive. If someone is approved for Medicaid, coverage can ... -
Usually, yes. In most circumstances, she could move into a nursing home and qualify for Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California) coverage of nursing home costs wh... -
If a woman's spouse needs long-term nursing home care, he may be eligible for Medicaid coverage of that care even though she keeps the family home and a substantial amount ... -
Am I liable if my parent causes a car accident? — Mar 05, 2009As an older adult's driving capabilities diminish, many adult children worry not only about the parent's safety but also about their own liability for damages from an accid... -
Will Medicaid pay for nursing home care? — Mar 05, 2009It depends on her income and other financial assets at the time she applies. In general, Medicaid, which is a federal program, provides medical and long-term care for peopl... -
Does Medicare pay for Lyme disease testing? — Mar 04, 2009Medicare Part B covers any medically reasonable testing, including laboratory work, to diagnose and treat any disease. Lyme disease is no different from any other disease. ... -
Medicare coverage for eyeglasses is handled through Medicare Part B. Medicare can pay for one pair of eyeglasses following your cataract surgery, if you had a new lens impl... -
Can my husband enroll in Medicare Part B after his 65th birthday and what will the penalty be? — Mar 04, 2009Yes, your husband can enroll in Medicare Part B at any time after he turns 65. But because he has waited more than three months after the end of his birthday month, he will... -
It's possible, but it depends her having low income and few assets. There may be a program in your state that provides payment directly to a low-income person who needs reg... -
You might be able to get some pay directly from the state, for taking care of your mother, if your mother has few assets other than her house, and she has little income. If... -
Many state Medicaid systems have a program that allows a Medicaid beneficiary like your mother to stay at home and receive paid home care from a family member. These family... -
That's right, the key is the date the gift was made. But the rule only applies if she is applying for Medicaid coverage of residence in a nursing home or assisted living fa... -
Can Mom pay us rent while she's receiving Medicaid? — Feb 26, 2009It's not clear from your question whether you are worried about applying for Medicaid for yourself or for your mother. In either case, eligibility depends on having lo... -
The only transportation help that Medicare pays for is an ambulance. Medicare can pay for some non-emergency ambulance service from home to a medical treatment such as dial... -
The short answer is that Medicaid has no direct claim on the money once your mother gives it away -- they can't make you or other family members return any of it. On the ot... -
The most likely source is the Medicaid program in the state where your brother-in-law lives. Medicaid can cover not only medical care but also some home care, including per... -
Does Medicare Cover Vision Care? — Feb 23, 2009Coverage of vision care by Medicare Part B is limited to treatment of medical conditions, and only treatment provided by a medical doctor. It does not normally include visi... -
Does Medicare Cover Oral Surgery? — Feb 23, 2009Whether Medicare Part B covers oral surgery depends on the kind of surgery it is and who performs it. If the oral surgeon is a medical physician (M.D.) rather than a dental...
