Elder Law Section Resources

Programs, Services and Resources for Older Adults

Social Security Benefits

• The official website of the Social Security Administration
• The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare acts in the best interests of its members through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts
• Social Security Administration’s Programs Operations Manual System (POMS)

Medicare

• The official U.S. Government Site for Medicare
• General news and information about Medicare
• The official website of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid — General information about Medicare Rights, legislative updates and other news affecting Medicare beneficiaries
• The Center for Medicare Advocacy includes a wide variety of information: summary of Medicare issues, appeals, litigation, and a link to order Medicare informational materials.
• New Mexico Medical Review Association – Medicare quality improvement organization reviews concerns from Medicare patients regarding quality of care, early discharge

From Senior Citizens Law Office:
• Just the Facts about Medicare
o Spanish - Solo los Hechos Sobre Medicare
• Rights of Medicare Beneficiaries
o Spanish - Derechos de los Beneficiarios de Medicare
• Get Help with Medicare Costs
o Spanish - Reciba Ayuda con los Costos de Medicare
• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Coverage
o Spanish - Cobertura para Beneficiarios Calificados de Medicare (QMB)
• Home Health Care Under Medicare
o Spanish - Cuidado de salud domiciliario bajo Medicare
• Aging in Place – At Home
o Spanish - La Vejez en el Hogar

Medicaid

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Studies — Professional and technical information on Medicaid
• New Mexico Human Services Department — State agency in charge of managing the NM Medicaid program
• The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department is dedicated to promoting the independence and dignity of elders and individuals living with a disability.
• The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department Resource Center provides information and assistance regarding Medicaid and other public benefit programs.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)/Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

Institutional Medicaid

Medicaid Eligibility manual

Medicaid Waiver Programs

• Information on the Coordination of Long-Term Services (CoLTS) Waiver program. CoLTS replaced the Disabled and Elderly Waiver (D&E Waiver).
• Mi Via is a program available for waiver qualified individuals that provides self-direct home and community-based services, supports and goods within an approved plan and budget.

State Benefits

New Mexico Human Services Department Income Support Division - financial assistance that can help with everything from energy bills to food to general assistance for qualified people.

Veterans Benefits

• Official Veterans Administration website
• Specific link to VA health benefits
• VA Burial and Memorial Benefits

Government Programs and Financial Assistance

• Assistance with finding government benefits programs to which a senior may be entitled.
• An official government website that offers assistance with finding government benefits programs, BenefitsCheckUp asks a series of questions to help identify benefits that could save you money and cover the costs of everyday expenses.

Long Term Care Facilities

Nursing Homes

• National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform – includes a wide variety of nursing home information, including government policy, information on current bills and legislation, and links to state websites. Also includes a link to ombudsmen.
• Medicare Nursing home information and inspection reports.
• NM Long-Term Care Ombudsman Bureau

From Senior Citizens Law Office:

• Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home
• Spanish - Consejos para Eligir una Casa de Reposo
• Medicaid Coverage of Nursing Home Care
• Spanish - Cobertura Medicaid para una Casa de Reposo
• Nursing Home Transfer and Discharge

Assisted Living, Board and Care and Continuing Care Communities

• Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living
• The Assisted Living Federation of America is committed to ensuring excellence in senior living. Search assisted living facilities, communities, and nursing homes
• New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care is a resource that serves its membership by facilitating advocacy, networking, education and communication to promote success and best practices in home and hospice care and related support services.
• New Mexico Association for Continuity of Care is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the concept that continuity of care is an essential component of the health care delivery system.

Other Health Care Programs

Skilled Care

Iinformation on skilled care benefits covered by Medicare

Prescription Assistance

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association patient assistance program – includes info on low cost or no cost prescription medications for patients who can’t afford to buy them.
• NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) non-profit information resource devoted to helping people in need find assistance programs to help them afford their medications and costs related to health care.
• The Medicine Program is a patient advocacy organization helping individuals and families all across America get access to up to 2,500 prescription medications available today for free or nearly free of charge through Patient Assistance Programs.
• Offers discounts on prescription drugs for all New Mexicans.

Dental/Vision/Hearing

• Albuquerque Speech, Language, and Hearing Center - Provides info on available services.
• The Starkey Hearing Foundation provides info on receiving free hearing aids for income eligible people.
• Info on low or no cost dental services for seniors.
• Eye Care America – comprehensive eye care for senior citizens at no cost.
• A comprehensive resource for family caregivers.
• An education and information resource for anyone who helps an older spouse, parent, relative, friend, or neighbor.
• The New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition promotes family and professional direct care workers, supporting their professional development and advancing issues of importance to the field of long-term and direct care.

Healthcare Information

• National Library of Medicine website. A good site for medical research
  The National Institutes of Health website contains a wide variety of medical information.
• The Centers for Disease Control contains wide variety of information on medical conditions.
• Consumer website for medical information
• Website of the American Cancer Society
• Website of the American Heart Association
• Website of the Patient Advocate Foundation

Dementia

• The National Institute on Aging website - Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
• New Mexico Alzheimer's Association website dedicated to research and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and education for caregivers, family and friends
  

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