Money Matters





Topics:

• General
• Insurance
• Medicare & Medicaid
• Financial Caregiving
  

• Reverse Mortgages
• Social Security
• Viatical Settlements
  

General

• Paying for Care
  An introduction to some alternatives that can help pay for your loved one’s care.

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Financial Caregiving

• Assessing A Loved One’s Finances
  Some questions to ask if you’re concerned about your loved one’s ability to manage money.
  
  
• Basic Financial Caregiving
  Caregiving involves more than just medical problems. Helping your loved one manage his or her finances can ensure that he or she will be able to pay for needed care and live more comfortably.
  
  
• Choosing a Financial Planner
  Questions to ask when interviewing financial experts.
  
  
• Delicate Financial Situations
  If your loved one has difficulty managing money, you probably want to help. But financial control is one of the keys to independence, so your loved one may be reluctant to let you get involved.
  
  
• Discussing Financial Matters
  If you suspect that your loved one is having difficulty managing finances, how do you broach the subject?
  
  
• Managing a Loved One’s Finances
  Some simple guidelines to follow if you need to help manage a loved one’s finances.
  
  
• Net Worth Calculation Worksheet
  A form to help you assess your loved one’s financial situation.
  

• A. M. Best
  The homepage for A. M. Best, a company that rates insurance agencies.
  
  
• Finding Life Insurance
  If you’re considering life insurance for you or your loved one, here’s how to get started on a search.
  
  
• HMO, PPO, Or Fee-For-Service?
  Would your loved one prefer using an HMO, PPO, or fee-for-service insurance? Use this worksheet to find out.
  
  
• Health Insurance: Best Buys
  A worksheet to help you and your loved one choose the right health insurance policy.
  
  
• Health Insurance: Important Services
  A checklist to help your loved one decide which health insurance services are the most important.
  
  
• Is Your Loved One Properly Insured?
  Before making any decisions about paying for your loved one’s care, make sure you understand his or her insurance coverage, and any other benefits that he or she may be entitled to.
  
  
• Long-Term Care Insurance
  Some basic information to consider if your loved one is thinking about purchasing long-term care insurance.
  
  
• Managed Care Ombudsmen
  Managed care ombudsmen—and similar consumer advocacy programs—can help caregivers navigate through the complexities of their loved ones’ insurance plans.
  
  
• Medigap
  A brief introduction to Medigap coverage.
  
  
• Medigap Information
  Basic information about Medigap Insurance from the New York State Office for the Aging.
  
  
• Payment Options Chart
  A summary of many of the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs.
   
  
• The HIAA
  The Health Insurance Association of America offers links to a variety of insurance products and providers, as well as medical, life, and long-term care insurance information.
  
  
• The Kansas Elder Law Network
  Developed by the University of Kansas, the KELN site contains information on advance medical directives, elder abuse, estate planning, insurance, and other topics relating to seniors and caregivers.
  
  
• The NAIC
  Information on insurance regulations from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
  
  
• Types of Insurance
  Basic facts about many of the different types of health insurance plans that your loved one may want to consider.
  
  
• Your Rights and Responsibilities
  Some tips to help caregivers make the most of a managed health care insurance plan.
  

Medicare & Medicaid

• An Introduction To Medicaid
  What is Medicaid? Who is eligible? What does it pay for? Here are the answers.
  
  
• An Introduction To Medicare
  Some basic facts about Medicare health care coverage.
  
  
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  This website contains relevant information about Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs.
  
  
• Medicare.gov
  The federal government’s official Medicare website.
  
  
• Payment Options Chart
  A summary of many of the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs
  

Reverse Mortgages

• Reverse Mortgage FAQ
  Answers to the most frequently asked questions about reverse mortgages.
  
  
• Reverse Mortgage Information
  Consumer information from the National Center for Home Equity Conversion, a nonprofit organization specializing in reverse mortgage education and analysis.
  
  
• Reverse Mortgages
  If your loved one owns his or her home, you might want to consider a reverse mortgage as an option to pay for care.
  

Social Security

• Applying For Retirement Benefits
  Important information on how to help your loved one file for Social Security retirement benefits.
  
  
• Applying For SSDI
  Information you need if your loved one is going to apply for Social Security disability insurance.
  
  
• Managing Your Loved One’s Benefits
  If you need to help your loved one manage his or her Social Security benefits, here are a few issues that you should be aware of.
  
  
• Social Security And HIV
  If your loved one has been diagnosed with HIV, he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance and other government benefit programs.
  
  
• Social Security Survivor Benefits
  Survivor benefits can help other family members maintain their standard of living after the death of a loved one who was eligible for Social Security.
  
  
• The Social Security Administration
  The official website of the United States Social Security Administration.
  
  
• Understanding Social Security
  An introduction to the U.S. government’s Social Security program.
  
  
• What Is SSDI?
  The facts about Social Security disability insurance, including eligibility requirements.
  
  
• What Is SSI?
  Basic information about the Supplemental Security Income Program.
  

Viatical Settlements

• Tapping Life Insurance
  If your loved one has a life insurance policy, he or she may be able to collect money early to help pay for care and expenses.
  
  
• Thinking About Viatical Settlements
  If your loved one is considering making a viatical settlement on a life insurance policy, these guidelines should help him or her avoid costly mistakes and make the right choice.