Adamsky Law Offices Blog

Medicare issued new rules for hospitals that protect patients’ right to choose their own visitors during a hospital stay, including a visitor who is a same-sex domestic partner. “Basic human rights—such as your ability to choose your own support system in a time of need—must not be checked at the door of America’s hospitals,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Today’s rules help give ‘full and equal’ rights to all of us to choose whom we want by our bedside when we are sick, and override any objection by a hospital or staffer who may disagree with us for any non-clinical reason.” The new rules require hospital to respect the right of all patients to choose who may visit them when they are an inpatient. The rules require hospitals to have written policies and procedures detailing patients’ visitation rights, as well as the circumstances under which the hospitals may restrict patient access to visitors based on reasonable clinical needs. A key provision of the rules specifies that al

All of the changes to Medicare mean that open-enrollment is more important than ever. Most people won't see a cost increase, but high-income folks will. Some people will need to make changes, but many will not have to. It is vital that you review your plan to determine if you do need to make any changes. Because of the new Health Care law, many benefits and plan changes will take place. Many insurers are eliminating or consolidating Medicare-related plans, so an estimated one million Medicare recipients will have to choose new coverage. For those with traditional Medicare, the biggest change is an expansion of benefits. Starting Jan. 1, 2011, Medicare will completely cover the cost of many preventive services, including mammograms, Pap tests and screenings for prostrate and colorectal cancer, as well as one annual 'wellness' examination. For more information see: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2010/November/15/Medicare-open-enrollment-issues.aspx

The new and improved Homestead Law in Massachusetts is awaiting the Governor's signature after passage by the Legislature. Lowell Register of Deeds, Richard Howe, has provided a great summary of the law and a link to the entire text. Click on the link below to go to the Lowell Registry Blog Article. LowellDeeds: Big changes coming to Homestead Law

Here are some great tips on talking with your parents about money. (And your parents don't have to be "depression-era" in order to fear this talk - besides that would make you and me too old!). It's necessary to discuss many issues with your parents as they age. You'll have to have the same talk with your own kids someday. Families can make these sorts of things more easy on each other if they just openly communicate about these "tough-to-discuss" issues. Talking with Depression-Era Parents about Money - NYTimes.com

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the 2011 rates for Medicare. The basic premium for Medicare Part B will be $115.40 a month, up from $110.50 in 2010 (a 4.4 % increase). But because there will be no cost of living benefit increase for Social Security recipients for 2011, most beneficiaries will be exempted from paying this increase and will instead pay the same $96.40 premium they have paid since 2008. A provision in the Medicare law prohibits Part B premiums from rising more than that year's cost of living increase in Social Security. Those already on Social Security and Medicare will not have an increase in their premiums. New enrollees, and those who don’t have part B withheld from their checks, will have to pay the new higher premium. Also, those high-income people who pay a premium surcharge are not exempt from the increase. Medicare beneficiaries will be subject to new deductibles and co-payments outlined below. Medicare Part B covers physician