Medical Bills

• Article - Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide. Who's eligible for Medicare Part A and what hospital care is covered by Medicare Part A?

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Medicare: Billing Hassles Ahead

  Medicare patients may be in for a billing nightmare this summer. They should check with their doctors to see if Medicare coverage will be affected.

• Blog Post - Should I be responsible for my father's funeral bill when he never paid child support for me?

  My parents have been divorced for more than 20 years...

• Blog Post - Don't Wait for a Doctor's Visit to Test for High Blood Pressure

  For those with high blood pressure, home monitoring is recommended by the American Heart Association and other major organizations.

• Blog Post - With Diabetes, Diet and Dumbbells Make a Difference

  Making lifestyle changes can help people at risk for type 2 diabetes prevent or delay the disease, includes diet and exercise tips.

• Blog Post - In Men With Type 2 Diabetes, Bedroom Blues May Signal a Broken Heart

  In men with type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for serious heart trouble, including heart attack and death.

• Blog Post - Shingles Vaccine Strongly Recommended for Seniors

  A shingles vaccine is recommended for all seniors by the Centers For Disease Control, along with other adult vaccinations.

• Blog Post - With Alzheimer's, Wandering Is a Merry Name for a Scary Problem

  Innovations in dealing with wandering, which affects 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer's.

• Blog Post - Can You Keep Type 2 Diabetes at Bay With a Mediterranean Diet?

  Type 2 diabetes may be kept at bay by eating a Mediterranean diet, a new study suggests.

• Blog Post - What Do You Give an Old Dad for Father's Day?

  What aging dads really need for Father's Day can't be wrapped.

• Blog Post - To Protect Seniors in Natural Disasters, Talk About It Beforehand

  Communication is key in protecting seniors in natural disasters.

• Blog Post - New Legislation (and You) Can Help Prevent Seniors From Falling

  The Safety of Seniors Act aims to help prevent falls among the elderly. Here are ways to help reduce the fall risk for your parents.

• Blog Post - My mother says she's lonely, and it's heartbreaking for me to hear her crying at night. What can I do to help her?

  My father died seven years ago, and for quite some...

• Blog Post - Should Family Members Who Provide Alzheimer's Care Be Paid?

  Paying family caregivers is controversial and has pitfalls to beware of if you go this route.

• Blog Post - Over-The-Counter Driving Hazards

  Even simple cold medications can undermine the driving abilities of elderly people.

• Blog Post - How much say do I have in determining who is guardian over me and my affairs?

  Do I have any rights in determining my care and who...

Questions & Answers

• Question - Does power of attorney make me responsible for medical bills?

  If I get medical power of attorney, will I have to pay my parent's bills when she dies, or is power of attorney limited to other things besides bills?

• Question - My mom recently passed away -- will I be responsible for the medical bills that were not covered by Medicare?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What is my liability for my father's medical bills incurred during visit to the US?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Could my father's loud snoring be caused by a medical problem?

  Loud snoring may indicate a medical problem like sleep apnea. Loud snoring could also be caused by obesity, alcohol, smoking, and medications.

• Question - How do I handle my dad's denial about his diabetes?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Answer to hiding medications in food or drinks.

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does an advanced directive for health care agents supersede a durable power of attorney for medical decisions, if you have both?

  When an advance directive and durable power of attorney conflict, the most recent document generally controls.

• Question - Is there help for someone under age 65, who has serious illness and little money?

  For someone under 65 and disabled, government programs can help: Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Question - How do I make sure my father with Alzheimer's remembers to take his medicines?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Could heart failure medications be causing my dad's back pain?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can you pay for care when your assets are too high for Medicaid?

  You can still qualify for Medicaid in many states if your assets are above the normal eligibillity limit but you have high medical bills.

• Question - Answer to getting medical care for a parent who refuses to be seen.

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I direct my mother's medical care if others are named in her power of attorney?

  If people named to act in a power of attorney are not doing their job well, there may be steps you can take to right the wrongs.

• Question - Can a new diabetes drug also help my mother lose weight?

  A type 2 diabetes drug called exenatide or Byetta has helped some people lose weight, although weight loss isn't the primary purpose of the drug.

• Question - How can I convince my mother's doctor to keep her out of a rehab facility?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I reconcile the debt of my late father?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will my Medicare cover a deviated septum?

  Medicare can cover treatment of a deviated septum if the treatment is "medically necessary."

• Question - How can I help my parent control nausea while he's on chemotherapy?

  My parent has nausea from chemo. How can I him control this chemo-related nausea? Is there a way to help him deal with the nausea besides medication?

• Question - What rights do I have as a healthcare agent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get the doctor to be more responsive when my mother has side effects from chemotherapy?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What help is available to pay for prescription drugs?

  Can your parent get financial help to pay for prescription drugs? Does Medicare cover drugs, or are there other ways to get help paying for prescriptions?

• Question - What can I do to encourage my dad to wear his emergency response device?

  This question has been answered by two Caring.com Experts

• Question - How do I get my father, who's depressed about being treated for cancer, to talk about how he's feeling?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should my active parent check his blood sugar during exercise?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can you advise me about how to talk to my grandmother's doctor?

  I need help talking to my grandmother's physician.

• Question - Do you need a prescription for a walker?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Which medicines cause memory loss?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Are living trusts and living wills the same?

  When it comes to living wills and living trusts, only the names are similar. One concerns itself with controlling medical care; the other, passing title to property.

• Question - Help paying for chemo if you don't qualify for Medicare or Medicaid?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will Medicare pay for more than one MRI in a year in the same area?

  Will Medicare pay for more than one MRI in one year? It's best to make sure your doctor gets approval from Medicare for the second MRI beforehand.

• Question - Can the new drug Symlin help my overweight dad with diabetes?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can I be held responsible for my mother's medical bills?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does Medicare offer assistance for transportation equipment?

  Medicare Part B can pay most of the cost of wheelchairs and walkers.

• Question - How do I get Mom to see a doctor when she's in denial that she might have symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do with my diet to increase my red blood count?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does Medicaid pay for medical message therapy by a massage therapist?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is residental board and care able to be deducted as a medical expense?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - My father fell in a nursing home and I'm wondering if the nursing home should have liability insurance to cover his medical costs?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - my mother died in California - no probate - do I have to pay...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I get my parent to eat without nagging?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What if my dad's doctor doesn't think it's Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get my mother, who has dementia, to calm down in her nursing home?

  How do you calm down someone with dementia in a nursing home? Is calming a dementia patient down even possible in an environment like a nursing home?

• Question - What could be causing my 80-year-old father's repeated falls?

  My elderly parent falls repeatedly. What's causing these falls -- could they be caused by a health condition such as his heart disease or dizziness?

• Question - Why are my father's abilities improving and then regressing since his stroke?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why does my mother talk about health issues -- in excruciating detail?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What does "end stage" congestive heart failure mean for my mother?

  End stage congestive heart failure doesn't mean someone is dying. End stage congestive heart failure is serious, but some patients live for years.

• Question - How can I help my 82-year-old mother overcome her fear of falling?

  If a parent has a fear of falling, it can actually make things more dangerous. Here's expert advice on how to help a parent overcome fear of falling.

• Question - Should my father be taking aspirin now that he's been diagnosed with heart disease?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I help my mom, who has chronic pulmonary disease, from across the country?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I make a hospital stay easier for my mother with dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is a personal emergency response system appropriate for a parent who travels?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I help my father decide which Medigap plan is right for him?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I make sure my mother's personal information travels with her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can vitamin supplements and herbals slow memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease?

  Alzheimer's memory loss may be slowed by vitamins. Supplements can't improve memory, but they might be able to slow memory loss down slightly.

• Question - Can I give my father a diuretic to help with the swelling in his feet caused by liver cancer?

  When swollen feet are caused by liver cancer, will a diuretic help relieve the swelling? Or is the cause of the swelling more complicated than that?

• Question - How can I persuade my mother to sign a living will?

  Many people fear that signing an advance healthcare directive means giving up on living. It may take an objective source to convince them of the truth.

• Question - My dad was just diagnosed with mild dementia. Should he still be on the road?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can I take classes and become certified for home care for my mother?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I handle my elderly mother who doesn't want me to travel at all?

  An elderly parent may worry or get upset when you travel; she may even claim she'll die while you're away. Should you give up travel to ease her mind?

• Question - Are there government benefits for someone who's had a stroke and gets only a small company pension?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Am I eligible for disability?

  If you're under 65 and can't do substantial paid work, you may get Social Security disability, SSI and Medicaid, plus Medicare after two years.

• Question - Why do elderly women contract numerous urinary tract infections?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I convince my parents to accept my financial help?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can cause the parent to see things and people that are not there?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can a parent revise or revoke a durable power of attorney for healthcare or finances?

  Can my parent revise or revoke his durable power of attorney for healthcare? He can revise his durable power of attorney if he's of sound mind.

• Question - Does guided imagery really control cancer-related pain?

  Is guided meditation or guided imagery helpful in relieving pain from cancer or other diseases? Studies have shown that guided meditation can help.

• Question - How do I get my parent's doctor to give us complete and honest information?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What should I do if my parent resists bathing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are hallucinations common in people with Alzheimer's?

  Are Alzheimer's hallucinations common? My parent who has Alzheimer's has been experiencing hallucinations. Yes, hallucinations are fairly common.

• Question - What can I do if my mom's nursing home is mistreating her and I live out of state?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the emergency procedure for obtaining durable power of attorney for finance or health care?

  What's the emergency procedure for obtaining durable power of attorney for finance or health care? Get answers on obtaining durable power of attorney.

• Question - What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship?

  What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship? I want to know because my elderly parent refuses to sign a power of attorney.

• Question - Is it safe to leave a parent with Alzheimer's home alone?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mother has been depressed since her cancer diagnosis; how can I persuade her to see a therapist?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long-term care?

  Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long term care? Medicare will cover 100 days in a nursing home if certain qualifications are met.

• Question - Do hip protectors really work to prevent fractures?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Could my mother's sleeping pills be causing her sundown syndrome?

  Could sleeping pills be causing my parent's sundown syndrome? Yes, sleeping pills could certainly contribute to sundown syndrome, or confusion.

• Question - How can I tell whether my father's incontinence after his stroke is temporary?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there anything that will help relieve my dad's pain after his stroke?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Could herbal supplements affect my mother's ability to drive?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are some budget-friendly ways to keep my mom safe during bathing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my mother, who has breast cancer, to be more active so she won't lose muscle strength?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What's the best way to catch my 91-year-old mother when she falls?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What's the best way to help my 250-pound father walk?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How often do I need to bathe my parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - When is the right time to call in hospice?

  Hospice care is generally reserved for those who are diagnosed to be near death. But other options for help with care may be available.

• Question - Are powers of attorney different from state to state?

  Life -- and dealing with powers of attorney -- might not be as confusing if all state laws were identical. But they're not.

• Question - I don't think my 78-year-old mother has dementia, so why does she get sundown syndrome?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will cutting down on liquids help my father's incontinence?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I minimize the damage caused to the furniture by my incontinent father?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I tell if my mother's having an angina episode or a heart attack?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - My father-in-law is depressed and has no daily activities to occupy him.

  This question has been answered by three Community Members

• Question - Where can I find a supportive appliance for the toilet?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can Alzheimer's disease cause mild-mannered people to swear?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can we persuade my mother, who's caring for my dying father, to bring in hospice help?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Can low hemoglobin be causing my father's fatigue, and, if so, what can I do to help him feel better?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How often do I need to shampoo my dad's hair?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do to help my mother stop crying all the time?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the diplomatic way to handle wild accusations by a parent with Alzheimer's?

  Coping with accusations by an Alzheimer's patient diplomatically is tough. Here's how to respond to accusations and keep friends from being alienated.

• Question - Can Alzheimer's lead to dehydration?

  Can Alzheimer's cause dehydration? Yes, Alzheimer's can lead to dehydration because the patient forgets to drink or doesn't realize she's thirsty.

• Question - How can I help my mother handle low blood sugar incidents?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Do I tell my mother her memory trouble is Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can be done to help my mother's fatigue, caused by her heart failure meds?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - If I hire an aide for my father should I be responsible for payments?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What legal rights to do grandchildren have in determining whether grandma is fit to live alone?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where do I get financial help for my 88 year old mother?

  A senior with low income and assets can qualify for SSI benefits of $600 to $800 per month, Medicaid and a very low-cost prescription drug plan.

• Question - How do you deal with a parent that is unable to communicate?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can all children see their parents' living trust?

  People who make living trusts are free to keep their contents secret. But there may be ways you can air out hurt feelings over that.

• Question - How can I help my father get up from a fall without causing injury to him or me?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does self-help software produce legal documents?

  Some self-help law products produce perfectly legal documents. The key is to shop wisely -- and you can always use a lawyer as a backup.

• Question - How do I resolve a family conflict so I can visit my mother?

  My sister lives with my mother, and is making it hard to visit Mom and make sure she is okay.

• Question - Does any government program pay for assisted living?

  Does Medicaid pay for assisted living? Medicaid pays for assisted living instead of a nursing home if you're lucky enough to live in the right state.

• Question - Can breast cancer that has metasized to the spine spread to the brain?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Answer To When To Call Hospice Question

  Hospice care is generally reserved for those who are diagnosed to be near death. But other help with care may be available if your parent doesn't qualify for hospice.

• Question - Will Medicare pay for an assisted living facility?

  Medicare doesn't pay for assisted living. Medicaid, not Medicare, pays for some assisted living for very low-income seniors in a few states.

• Question - How do you get financial help if you are between 55 and 60 years old?

  A few government financial benefits are available to someone under age 60.

• Question - I am 53 with no insurance. Where do I go for help?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mother is dying and has stopped eating. How long can the body sustain itself without food?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is there any treatment for, "Charles Bonnet Syndrome"?

  Visual hallucinations, or Charles Bonnet syndrome, are alarming. But visual hallucinations with vision loss are probably not a mental problem.

• Question - Is there any inexpensive insurance for the disabled?

  Medicare Part A and Part B, Medicaid, and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage may all be available to someone on permanent disability.

• Question - How do I apply for Medicaid?

  Medicaid provides broad coverage for medical care. You apply at your state's local Medicaid office, usually a county social services office.

• Question - What are some tips for a long distance caregiver to a dad with pancreatic cancer?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can my dad get help to pay for shots after chemo?

  Medicare pays little of outpatient hospital charges. A hospital that accepts Medicare amounts, or care in the doctor's office, saves a bundle.

• Question - Is there a resource to find a nurse who will travel to rural areas?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Why would my brother-in-law take chemotherapy pills for a skin rash?

  Are skin rashes ever treated with chemotherapy pills? Or are skin rashes a side effect of chemo pills instead?

• Question - Where can I find a support group for caregivers of people with non-Alzheimer's dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - As a caregiver is there any kind of aid or tax breaks I can...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are the side affects from having chemo abraxane/avactin when you take blood thinners warfin?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can you help explain Medicare Part D?

  For a small monthly premium, a Medicare Part D plan can help pay prescription drug costs for someone on Medicare through long-term disability.

• Question - Does Medicare cover children?

  Medicare does not cover medical care for children, but Medicaid and related programs do cover care for children in low-income families.

• Question - Are online estate planning documents legal?

  When looking for an online product to help product your estate planning documents, shop carefully.

• Question - My wife, age 88, does not like to take a shower. Is this normal?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - How can I find someone to come and regularly assess my dad to determine if he needs additional care?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What causes a person with dementia to talk endlessly for hours?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What is the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship?

  Whether there is a difference between a conservatorship and guardianship may depend on where you live.

News

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  MONDAY, Sept. 10 (HealthDay News) -- The number of...

• News - Medicare Spending Caps Cause Seniors to Stop Meds

  TUESDAY, Sept. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Some American...

• News - Lowering Blood Protein Won't Help Kidney Patients

  TUESDAY, Sept. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Lowering blood...

• News - Tamoxifen Helps Treat Bipolar Disorder

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• News - New Drug No Substitute for Standard Blood-Clot Therapy

  WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Three studies...

• News - Doctors Debate Drugs vs. Surgery for Angina

  FRIDAY, Sept. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Controversy still...

• News - Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 26, 2007

  (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials...

• News - Better Lupus Treatments on the Horizon

  FRIDAY, Sept. 28 (HealthDay News) -- High-tech research...

• News - Communities Can Speed Stroke Care

  SUNDAY, Sept. 30 (HealthDay News) -- U.S...

• News - Panic Attacks May Hike Heart Disease Risk in Women

  TUESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Postmenopausal...