Scams and our elderly clients

• Unlicensed contractors offering home repairs: "Hey, we just finished a job for the smiths two streets over, and there's leftover tile, would you like a great deal on....."  If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Beware of home repair scams.   Look out for transient work crews, strangers claiming to have extra material, free inspections in your home.. All of these should be red flags.  You should look to licensed bonded and insured professionals.  It may feel more expensive at the outset than these street contractors that show up.. but nothing is more expensive than a botched job, or worse, paying and never seeing your money or the work again.  Shop around for a certified contractor insist on a detailed contract on the work to be done, estimated cost and timetable.

• The state of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs should be notified of any scam, or scam attempt by calling 1-800-243-4636.

If you have been victimized, keeping quiet will not help the next victim in line.  Just last month (October 20/2010) in Ipswitch an elderly citizen was approached by someone saying that they were the recipient of funds from the federal government, and asked to provide personal information in order to claim his windfall.  The man intelligently informed local police, and the scammer was investigated and arrested.  We applaud this anonymous individual.  Our elders cannot be a doormat waiting for the next scam artist to come knocking. 

If you are subjected to a scam, contact local authorities, and your elder law attorney.

 

At Cohen & Olican we take pride in protecting our clients.

Boston Elderlaw Attorneys Present:: Sharing of Data Leads to Progress on Alzheimer's Disease

Cohen & Oalican : New Health Care Law and Medicare

Cohen & Oalican answer:

Will the new health care law have any influence on my current benefits and coverage from Medicare?


You may rest assured that there will be no adverse impact on your current Medicare coverage due to the new health care law. On the contrary, this new law signed by the President ensures increased access to health insurance and provides considerable improvements to current policy, thereby providing enhanced protection for you and your family through Medicare coverage plans.

While you may keep your current plan intact, the President’s new law improves Medicare coverage exponentially. For example, the new law ensures the gap in prescription drug coverage (otherwise known as the “donut hole”) will close gradually by 2020. Each year, Medicare recipients will be offered new savings under the law. In 2010, a one-time rebate of $250 will be offer to Medicare recipients This amount will be given to those Medicare recipients who are not already receiving extra help to pay for prescribed medicines. You do not have to submit any personal information to obtain this check like bank account numbers, Social Security details or even Medicare coverage details. If anybody calls you regarding this $250 check and asks for any information, we advise you not divulge any personal facts.

The new health care law would also help reduce the costs of preventive services from the year 2011 moving forward.

If you have further questions please contact Cohen & Oalican LLP, elder law attorneys in Boston, Andover and Raynham.