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THE CLASS ACT – Insurance That May Benefit You and Your Family

Katherine A. Montgomery — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:41:34 +0000

he Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program or CLASS Act was established by an amendment to the health reform law. The CLASS Act is a national, voluntary insurance program created to help offset the costs of non-medical services and supports such as home health care and adult day care. If it lives up to expectations it will reduce reliance on Medi-Cal (Medicaid), provide relief to family caregivers, and allow people with disabilities to reside for longer in the community. Benefits will be paid out of a trust fund consisting of the enrollees’ premiums and the interest earned on the trust fund.

When It Begins – The CLASS program is effective on January 1, 2011. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS Secretary”) is expected to define the CLASS benefit by October 2012 after which enrollment will begin.

Who Can Enroll and What It Costs – Working adults may make voluntary premium contributions through payroll deductions or directly. The monthly premiums will be determined by the HHS Secretary and will be set to maintain 75-year program solvency. Younger participants will pay less than older participants; and actively employed individuals with income below the federal poverty level or who are full-time students will pay nominal premiums, starting at $5 per month. There is no underwriting to determine eligibility or amount of premiums.

Eligibility For Benefits – In order to receive benefits, a participant must have paid monthly premiums for at least five years and have worked during at least three of those five years. (So, with enrollment beginning in 2012, benefits could not begin until 2017 at the earliest.) In addition, the participant must have either functional or equivalent cognitive limitations expected to last more than 90 days, as certified by a licensed health care practitioner. Functional impairment exists if the participant is unable to perform at least two, but not more than six, activities of daily living (e.g., eating, toileting, bathing, dressing, transferring). Eligibility will be determined by as-yet-unspecified organizations.

The Benefits – The benefit is cash, the amount of which is based on the degree of impairment or disability, but averaging no less than $50 per day. The Congressional Budget Office expects benefits to average about $75 per day or about $27,375 per year. And there is no lifetime limit.

The benefit will be posted to a debit account on a daily or weekly basis. The participant can use the benefits to offset the cost of such support as home health care, adult day care, respite care, assistive technology and personal assistance, home modifications, transportation, and homemaker services. The program also includes voluntary counseling services for help in choosing care and care providers and for deciding to accept or decline care. CLASS benefits can be used if the participant moves into an assisted living facility or nursing home.

CLASS program benefits have no effect on SSI or Medi-Cal eligibility, though Medi-Cal will take a part of the benefit.

It Is Not Medical or LTC Insurance – The CLASS program is not designed to replace basic health insurance or long-term care insurance coverage, but to supplement that coverage with a means to pay for non-medical costs in the community.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Bulletin of the Alameda County Bar Association.

Resources: Consumer and Environmental Protection Division of the DA’s Office

CRM,LLP — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:16:50 +0000

“The Consumer and Environmental Protection Division of the [Alameda County, CA] District Attorney’s Office focuses primarily on cases involving fraud (and other economic crimes), environmental violations, crimes against elders and unfair business practices.”

Phone: (510) 569-9281
Link: Consumer and Environmental Protection Division of the DA’s Office
Updated: 15 Jun 2010

Resources: When to Apply for Social Security Benefits

CRM,LLP — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:23:38 +0000

“The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA) newsletter recently profiled a useful guide on when to apply for Social Security benefits, saying:

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has made available a handy guide that addresses the question, “At what age should you begin claiming Social Security benefits?” If you’re approaching retirement, it’s the most important financial decision you’ll likely make. The Social Security Claiming Guide sorts through all the options near-retirees need to consider. Presented in an easy-to-read, colorful format, the Claiming Guide shows you where to begin, spells out how much you can get, and answers frequently asked questions about how the claiming process works. A must read for your clients nearing the age of 62!”

Phone: (617) 552-9143
Link: Social Security Claiming Guide
Updated: 21 Apr 2010

Resources: Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN)

CRM,LLP — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:26:16 +0000

“EFPN is an award-winning nonprofit organization that offers community education events and training for financial professionals.

Founded in 2000 and based in San Francisco, California, EFPN partners with financial institutions and financial professionals throughout the United States to halt and prevent elder financial abuse. We also work directly with elders to empower them to avoid financial exploitation.”

Phone: (415) 956-5556
Link: http://www.bewiseonline.org/
Updated: 15 Jun 2010

National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)

CRM,LLP — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:40:13 +0000

“The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), directed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is committed to helping national, state, and local partners in the field be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The NCEA is a resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, and families.”

Phone: (302) 831-3525
Link: National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
Updated: 15 Jun 2010

Families Dealing with Dementia Workshop

CRM,LLP — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:24:48 +0000

are management agency Eldercare Services is presenting a workshop entitled Families Dealing with Dementia, which will cover:

Overview of the Dementias
Communication Strategies
Perspective through Award Winning Film & Personal Journeys

The workshop is scheduled on July 22, 2010 from 10AM until Noon (RSVP by July 19) and on August 18, 2010 from 6PM until 8PM (RSVP by August 16). It will be presented at the Eldercare Services Classroom, 1808 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA. There is no charge, but RSVP is requested to (925) 937-2018.

You can see Eldercare Services schedule of workshops and their support group meeting schedule at EldercareAnswers.com.

Resources: Institute on Aging (IOA)

CRM,LLP — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:26:56 +0000

“Institute on Aging (IOA) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that touches the lives of thousands of seniors in San Francisco, Marin, and the Peninsula. IOA’s service mission is to enhance the quality of life for our diverse community of adults as they age. Our breadth of services enable elders in the San Francisco Bay Area to maintain their health, well-being, independence, and participation in the community. In our 25+ years of serving the Bay Area, IOA has developed and provided innovative programs in health, social service, creative arts, spiritual support, education, and research.”

Phone: (415) 750-4111
Toll Free: (877) 750-4111

Link: Institute on Aging (IOA)
Updated: 27 May 2010

Should I Move to a Retirement Community or Stay in My Home?

CRM,LLP — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:20:02 +0000

he Commonwealth Club of San Francisco and Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC of Eldercare Services will be presenting The Great Debate: Should I Move to a Retirement Community or Stay in My Home? on Wednesday June 23, 2010 at 5:15PM in the Gold Room, SF Commonwealth Club Office, 595 Market Street, San Francisco.

Making plans for retirement as the economy has challenged savings and home values is a concern for many. Fodrini-Johnson will discuss the pros and cons of either choice in the dilemma over whether to make the big move. She will explain the options and costs and provide tips on how to make this decision based on individual values.

Tickets are $12 members, $20 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID). For more information please call the Commonwealth Club at (415) 869-5930 or Eldercare Services at (415) 469-8338.

Resources: California Department of Developmental Services

CRM,LLP — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:42:55 +0000

“The California Department of Developmental Services is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.

These disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Consumer Corner has:

Information about the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)
Materials developed by DDS and CAC committee for consumers, families and professionals
Advocacy resources to help consumers ensure their rights are protected
Links to other resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities”

Phone: (916) 654-1888
Link: California Department of Developmental Services
Updated: 21 Apr 2010

Dept of Developmental Services’ Consumer Corner

CRM,LLP — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:31:08 +0000

They describe their site thusly: “Here you can find:

Information about the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)
Materials developed by DDS and CAC committee for consumers, families and professionals
Advocacy resources to help consumers ensure their rights are protected
Links to other resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities”

Link: Consumer Corner
Phone: (916) 654-1888
Updated: 14 May 2010