living will Tag

A regular part of the estate planning process involves a discussion with the client about selecting a line up of trusted individuals to serve as the client’s medical decision-makers. If the doctor determines that the patient has become incapacitated, there needs to be a designated proxy who can act on the patient’s behalf. Ideally, this person was selected by the patient beforehand...

A person who moves into a nursing home is referred to as a “resident” for a reason — this is their new home. At the end of life, the health care representative (or the patient himself) may be wondering whether there is a way to ensure that he can “die at home” in his bed instead of in a hospital.  Paving the way for a quiet end will require teamwork and...

Could this be you? You’re in your thirties or forties, with several active children and a busy social and business life. You’ve got volunteer activities and school programs to keep track of. Your parents are in their seventies or eighties, have their own home, and appear to pay all their bills when due. You have no idea what your parents’ income or assets are because they don’t want to bother...

Governor Chris Christie has vetoed A-4233/ S-2435 , which means that NJ doctors treating Medicaid can’t get paid for counselling their patients on end of life planning. Perhaps he’s pandering to the absurd claims made in the 2008 Presidential election that by paying doctors to assist their patients to understand the treatment alternatives and choices about foregoing treatment at...

What is known as “HIPPA” was enacted by Congress as the Health Insurance Protection and Portability Act of 1996.  42 USC 1320d-6. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1320d-6  It is designed to protect the confidentialiy of a patient’s medical information. The extensive federal regulations are found at 42 USC part 160....