Health, Major Medical, Insurance for Elders

We Go Together Like Rama Lama Lama…
By Lisa Cook Bayer

Lisa Cook Bayer, J.D., is President of Life Management Resources, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.

Yes, those are the opening lyrics for Grease’s finale when, despite all the challenges the characters face throughout the program, they realize that they really do “belong together.” Like Danny and Sandy, it is even more important for all of the professionals involved in working on behalf of older adults to work together towards their shared goal: peace of mind and body for their clients.

To best achieve this harmony, it is often necessary for a lawyer to consult with her client’s accountant in order to maximize the most tax benefits when doing trust and estate planning. Or, maybe a client’s financial planner needs to collaborate with the realtor who is helping him downsize to make sure that the proceeds from the sale of property are properly placed.

While there are obvious benefits to working together, there can be dire consequences when there is a lack of cooperation or follow-through. In my own practice I have seen doctor’s orders ignored and prescriptions left unfilled when the information was not communicated properly to the assisted living facility, caregiver or pharmacy. I have seen individuals lose out on potential health, major medical and long term care insurance benefits because no one was available to effectively research the opportunities, submit claims, or reconcile the explanations of benefits with the billing.

Often, the older adult coordinates the planning and administration him or herself, sometimes he allows family and friends to assist and other times she hires a private case manager or geriatric care manager to facilitate the collaboration between and among the client, his or her loved ones and the professionals involved in his or her care.