Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP

Super Lawyers 2011

CRM,LLP — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:53:26 +0000

Super again. Partners Srinoi G. Rousseau and Katherine A. Montgomery of Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP, have been designated as Northern California Super Lawyers. Srinoi and Katherine have been included each year, beginning in 2008.

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research.

As a firm dedicated to doing the best possible for their clients, Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP is pleased to be so honored.

Health Care Reform Legislation Benefits Seniors

Katherine A. Montgomery — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:29:53 +0000

n passing health care reform, Congress included provisions that are beneficial to seniors. Among those are the following:

A phase out of the Medicare Part D “donut hole” or “coverage gap” by 2020
The elimination of Part D cost-sharing for full-benefit dual eligible beneficiaries (those eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal/Medicaid) receiving home-based and community-based services
Increased federal funding for states that provide home-based and community-based services for seniors with Alzheimers rather than only providing care through nursing homes
Beginning next year, Medicare coverage without cost for preventive care services, such as colorectal screenings, mammograms and an annual wellness visit and creation of a personalized prevention and assessment plan
An estimated 9-year extension of the Medicare Trust Fund beyond the previously-estimated 2017 depletion

Seniors are living longer and healthier, in large part due to prescription medications which sometimes consume a significant portion of the average senior’s budget. Medicare Part D is a prescription drug program, which pays part of the costs of a person’s prescription drugs for a monthly premium, at least until the person reaches the “donut hole”. In the 2010 Medicare Part D plans, the “donut hole” starts when the retail cost of the medications (not what the senior pays) reaches $2,830 and continues until the retail cost of the medication reaches $6,440, which is when the Medicare Part D beneficiary has spent $4,550 in out of pocket costs for their medications. The $4,550 does not include the portion of their prescription expenses paid by the insurance carrier or their monthly premiums. The existence of the “donut hole” creates quite a financial burden for many seniors. Beneficiaries reaching the “donut hole” in 2010 will receive a one-time $250 rebate. Over the next decade the “donut hole” will be phased out until it is eliminated in 2020.

Some of the additional benefits for seniors are an increase in primary care doctors, nurses, and physician assistants to provide better access to care through expanded training opportunities, student loan forgiveness, and bonus payments; increased support for community health centers; community health teams to coordinate patient care; and programs directed to reducing re-admissions to the hospital when patients are discharged.

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

Super Lawyers 2010

CRM,LLP — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:41:13 +0000

Super again. All three partners of Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP, Priscilla Camp, Srinoi G. Rousseau and Katherine A. Montgomery, have been designated as Northern California Super Lawyers. Priscilla Camp, the senior partner, has received this recognition since 2006 and Srinoi G. Rousseau and Katherine A. Montgomery have been included each year, beginning in 2008.

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research.

As a firm dedicated to doing the best possible for their clients, Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP is pleased to be so honored.

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.