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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If I buy a co-op but put it in my mother's name, will that affect her Medicaid eligibility? — Mar 15, 2011If your mother actually lives in the co-op, putting it in her name -- making her the owner -- should not directly affect her eligibility for Medicaid or any other governmen...
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Can we get reimbursed for household expenses when the house sells, prior to Medicad getting the money? — Mar 10, 2011Generally, state Medicaid programs don't seek reimbursement for care until after the death of the person who's received Medicaid coverage. If that's the case in your mother... -
FAQ: What Kinds of Home Equipment and Modifications Are Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA? — Feb 28, 2011In general, both Medicare and Medicaid cover medical equipment for use at home but don't cover actual physical modifications to the home. The VA, on the other hand, offers ... -
Absolutely you will be able to collect Social Security retirement benefits when you reach retirement age. In order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you ... -
There are different answers -- for different parts of Medicare -- to your question about Medicare eligibility for your mother's former husband. Regarding Medicare Part A h... -
This sounds like a tough and delicate situation. The first thing to understand, though, is that if there is a valid power of attorney and the person with that authority is... -
When someone dies who has been receiving Social Security benefits, two different things might happen based on the person's earnings record and Social Security tax payments.... -
Will Medicare cover a stair lift? — Feb 05, 2011Medicare Part B covers many types of what is called "durable" medical equipment for use in the home, but it doesn't pay for construction or installation of permanent change... -
What is a Medicaid "spend down?" — Feb 05, 2011People use the term Medicaid "spend down" it two different ways. When Medicaid uses the term, they are referring to a Medicaid applicant regularly spending his or her own m... -
When will we find out if we owe anything to Medicare? — Feb 03, 2011Whenever someone receives a Medicare-covered medical service, Medicare registers all the administrative details of that service -- such as who provided it, when, how much M... -
In general, you are NOT legally liable (responsible) for damages from an accident caused by your mother. The fact that you share a checking account with her does not chang... -
You can lawfully move your father's remaining half of the family's assets out of Medicaid's reach in one of several ways. First, any assets your father spends before he die... -
Medicare Part B medical insurance can cover podiatry services regardless of where you live. And the covered services can be provided in a podiatrist's office, in an outpat... -
Your mother-in-law certainly can enroll in Medicare Part A, but the real question is whether she is entitled to Part A coverage without paying a high monthly premium. Peop... -
Is there any way to extend the number of skill-nursing care days offered by Medicare? — Jan 23, 2011You're facing some complicated Medicare rules regarding coverage for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and rehabilitation facilities. In your mother's situation, there are... -
A wide array of medical equipment is covered by Medicare Part B, but an automated pill dispenser is not one of the pieces of equipment that Medicare normally covers. Howev... -
Medicare calls its new (beginning in 2011) annual physical exam the Wellness Exam. It's a special physical exam specifically designed for the needs of people 65 and older.... -
Can I get paid to be a caregiver for my husband with COPD? — Jan 22, 2011In some states, there are programs that can pay family caregivers to care for their loved one at home. However, there are several severe limitations on these programs that... -
Can a nursing home take a widow's home as payment for the care of her now deceased husband? — Jan 17, 2011It sounds like you're asking about repayment to Medicaid of the amount Medicaid spent on nursing home care for the deceased husband. If so, there is good news for the wido... -
Does Medicaid or Medicare cover a CNA to care for the blind? — Jan 11, 2011Medicare and Medicaid are both set up to provide medical coverage, and unfortunately neither program provides much in the way of non-medical assistance with the activities ... -
Good news for you -- your brother's worries about your mother's eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid are NOT correct, and your mother is likely to be eligible for all parts... -
There may be more than one part to your question of how you find out whether your parent has been approved for Medicaid coverage. The first has to do with your parent's pr... -
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for home modifications? — Dec 29, 2010The installing of a walk-in tub is a modification of a home that neither Medicare nor Medicaid usually covers. That's because it involves a physical change to the home, ra... -
A Medicare wellness exam is a special type of physical exam specifically designed by Medicare for the needs of people 65 and older. Beginning in 2011, a Medicare beneficia... -
If Mom moves in with us will her Medicaid be affected? — Dec 10, 2010Your mother moving in with you should not affect her Medicaid eligibility. And her living with you will not mean that Medicaid can consider your income and assets in decid...
