We want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! It has been a special year for us and we look forward to serving you in 2023.

Recent findings show an information gap among Medicaid recipients regarding the need to re-enroll for benefits after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. Medicaid recipients are inconsistently informed about the end of the PHE and its effect on their health insurance benefits in terms of the amount of information they have and where they receive their information. 

The PHE has been extended several times. The latest extension expires on January 11, 2023, with a 60-day notice before the end of the PHE. Read the full article here.

In November 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare coverage will be expanded to include medically necessary dental services. This change in Medicare rules will allow people with life-threatening conditions to receive dental care and operations related to conditions approved by CMS.

The provisions in the final rule become effective on January 1, 2023.

What Makes Dental Care Medically Necessary?

The final rule expanded the definition of “medically necessary.” Medicaid currently defines “medically necessary” as “health care services or supplies needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.” Continue reading here.

We know the holidays can spark some tough conversations around aging, care, and even end-of-life options. If you don't know how to begin, check out The Conversation Project for guidance.

We have highlighted this resource before but wanted to share it again in preparation for holiday gatherings.

The Five Wishes is an advance care planning booklet that is easily completed and has guiding questions to help you navigate the tough topics.

To learn more, visit their website: https://www.fivewishes.org/for-myself/

We are booking presentations for 2023! We have revised our educational presentation list and are excited to share some new topics, including:

• Annual Legal Checkup for Aging Well
• Debunking Medicare and Medicaid Myths 
• Ethics of Decision-Making 
• Wills and Trusts – A Deep Dive   
• Asset Protection and Medicaid 

We are well-suited for a variety of audiences, from long-term care staff to adult children caring for an aging parent to parents planning for the care of their special needs child(ren). Our attorneys prioritize connecting with and educating the community and professionals that serve our clients. Contact our Client Care Coordinator Monica DiOrio to learn more at 312-899-0950 or mdiorio@duttonelderlaw.com.