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.

1. A phase out of the Medicare Part D “donut hole” or “coverage gap” by 2020
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

• 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.

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

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