July, 2011 Newsletter
Published July 6, 2011 | 
Secrets From A Professional Guardian
Serving as a Professional Guardian for over 20 years, we’ve decided it’s time to share some of our secrets when it comes to caring for the elderly and disabled.
Multiple Birth Dates Part 2 – How Multiple Dates Can Have Disastrous Results, Even After Death
In the June Newsletter, we discussed the difficulties of trying to correct a date of birth with Medicare and Social Security.
An incorrect date of birth is not only problematic while the client is alive, but has far reaching consequences which can affect the client and their family long after the client has passed away.
Let’s revisit this same lady, the one who has 4 different dates of birth depending on the document. After deciding not to change her date of birth within the Medicare and Social Security systems, and after setting up an internal system to use the proper date of birth depending on which agency was being utilized, everything was running smoothly, until the woman passed away.
Upon her passing, the reporters – the nursing home and hospice – informed the funeral home that the woman’s date of birth is 1926 because that’s what they had on file. They were unaware of the issue with multiple birth dates. The funeral home then adds this information to her death certificate, which is ultimately forwarded to her family.
Later, the family, who is also unaware of her multiple birth dates, files a life insurance claim. The life insurance company denies the claim, because the date of birth on the death certificate is not the same as the date of birth on the policy. The family is baffled. They appeal the denial with the life insurance company and are informed that the death certificate must be corrected to the date shown on the life insurance policy.
Amending a death certificate can be a difficult and lengthy process, depending on what information needs changing. When a change is major, such as this, it may require original documentary evidence. Unfortunately, this evidence could not be obtained because the year used on the original life insurance policy – 1925 – was not on any of the woman’s documents. In the end, the family was unable to file a successful life insurance claim.
The lesson learned was a good reminder about the general understanding of guardianship – no amount of preparation can equip you for all the unforeseen hurdles.
Tip of the Month
We have made it our practice to (almost) always become the recognized Representative Payee for the client’s Medicare / Social Security benefits. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to this practice.
The main advantage is that all of the Social Security funds (SSA, SSI, SSDI) can come directly to you, at your address as the rep payee. This also allows funds to be deposited to the client’s financial institution via direct deposit. Similarly, any correspondence from Medicare, or Medicare administrators such as CMS, will also be forwarded to your address.
This is of critical importance in our current, volatile Medicare environment which is constantly changing so that important notifications and deadlines are not missed.
One disadvantage is the reporting requirements for a Rep Payee, such as the yearly rep payee report, which may be time consuming depending on the client.
If you would like help with Medicare, Social Security, or any other benefits needs, please contact us today! We are well versed in these systems and can help you navigate the confusing and complicated requirements.
Did You Know?
When making a hurricane claim with an insurance company, there are some words you should avoid using, such as: water, flood, tidal, serge. These can cause problems filing your claim.
Instead, an insurance adjuster tipped us off to better words and phrases to use when reporting storm damage.
- Do not say, “Trees floated against house by tidal surge.” Instead, try “Trees are blown down by wind.”
- Do not say, “Structural collapse caused by flooding.” Instead try, “Structural collapse caused by twister” (when tornadoes are present during storm).
- Do not say, “Mold caused by rising water.” Instead try, “Mold caused by driving rain after wind blew out windows.”
- Do not say, “Water exploded the electrical system.” Instead try, “Lightning exploded the electrical system, split the foundation.”
Do What You’re Great At and Love — Let Us Handle the Rest!
Guardian Care Management & Benefits Services, Inc. provides:
- Professional Guardianship Services
- Private Case Management
- Benefits Consulting & Medicaid Applications
- Full Guardianship Support Services
We can help, call us today!
407.786.6033
Come See Us at the FSGA
24th Annual Conference
July 28 – 30th 2011
Buena Vista Palace
1900 Lake Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL
