Page 20 - The Jewish Voice - December '21

Page 20, The Jewish Voice

Lifestyles from page 19 Medicare Corner The Singles Scene Column ©

Will Your Child Need a with Kathy O December Dating is Spot On

Guardian Advocate? As an insurance agent By: Kelly Leary, M.S., THE
who specializes in Medicare Florida Matchmaker
Submitted by Anné plans, I am often asked, Cupid’s headquarters is
Desormier-Cartwright, J.D. “Why do I need a local as busy as Santa’s workshop
When it comes to your agent?” Medicare can be right now and has been for
child, there are likely no complex and confusing with several months leading into
steps you would not take to all the different options and the holidays. How and why
protect him or her. If your all the mailers, commercials is THIS YEAR so special?
child has a developmental that promise the moon, With 70% of the single,
disability, however, it can be suggestions, “facts” or stories divorced, and widowed
challenging to determine the you might hear from friends, population riding out the
right steps to take to provide relatives or neighbors. In pandemic storm completely
adequate protection. When a fact, my mom fell into this web of confusion, and I watched without intimacy or romance people are beyond tired of flying
child turns 18, he or she is her struggle with navigating plans as she moved between solo. They have awakened! Now, everything seems to be
able to make decisions on his or her own behalf, without North Carolina and Florida and during Annual Enrollment getting back to our NEW and IMPROVED normal. People are
the permission of his or her parents. For parents of a each year. She had complex medical issues and a fixed income in a super social mode and the clouds have parted! Restaurants
developmentally disabled child, in particular, this can be a so additional benefits were very important to her. When I are packed and our new December couples are loving their new
time of uncertainty. would ask her questions about her coverage, she had no idea social life as a duo, making holiday gatherings much more fun.
To evaluate whether your child needs a guardian and no one to turn to for help. It broke my heart to see her This is a HUGE motivator to hit the singles scene again--
advocate, here is some information about guardian struggle and frustrated me that I didn’t have the knowledge and--we are breaking all of our previous December First
advocacy in Florida. to help her. I had a life and health license since 2008 but was Date records.
What Is A Developmental Disability? only trained in life insurance. I also did customer service for During all of our years of pairing holiday couples my
According to §393.063(12) of the Florida Statutes, an property and casualty but could not offer my own mom the team and I noticed that new clients are falling into three BIG
individual is considered to have a developmental disability type of support I could give my clients at work. A close friend categories. First, with remote working and the flight to Florida,
if he or she has “a disorder or syndrome that is attributable working with United Healthcare Medicare plans encouraged one-third of our membership base is COMPLETELY new to
to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, me to take the training necessary to be appointed and I joined the area. Another third of our new clientele has been reluctantly
Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or Prader- him in 2013 working with Medicare consumers. My mom sitting on the “comfort zone fence” or foolishly/hopelessly online
Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age of 18; and was my first client. dating and they are finally ready for an upgrade. Lastly, a large
that constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably Many people are great at Internet research and can analyze portion of our clientele is a product of 2020-21 BREAK-UP or
be expected to continue indefinitely.” and choose a plan that works for them. But did you know if DIVORCE. It is what it is, but many couples split up once and
What Does It Mean To Be A Guardian Advocate And you choose a plan and enroll, you cannot add a local agent for all during lockdown. Many of these break-ups were LONG
Are There Different Types? later. Your only resource is the 800 number on the back of overdue. Movers and shakers are taking the leap to date again—
In Florida, guardian advocacy is a process where family your card. only NOW they want to get RIGHT. They want to find the right
members or caregivers can obtain legal authority over Most extra benefits of a local agent happen after you person, at the right time, in the right place. This is easier than
an individual with a diagnosed developmental disability. enroll. I am a resource for my members. I can reorder lost you think, too.
Guardian advocacy typically comes in three different types. cards, answer benefit questions, give a list of specialists, I would say that the biggest group of new clientele is the
An individual can become a guardian advocate of a person, review notices, claim statements and so much more. The best last category: The NEWLY SINGLE GROUP. These breakups
of property, or both. Becoming a guardian advocate of a part is there is no cost to you the Medicare recipient! are for the best most of the time, and if you were an unwilling
person allows the advocate to make personal decisions I’m an educator of Medicare Basics: I guide you through participant in half of a break-up, you are not alone and you are
about the physical well-being of a child, while property enrollment. We meet one on one to review and analyze your in good company. You will find love again. Seek out a good
rights include the right to contract on behalf of a child. specific health situation and needs. We review the features therapist if you are having trouble getting through it and if you
Should I Consult With An Attorney? and benefits and limitations of plans. I also look up costs of are doing good then “get back on the horse” and start enjoying
The short answer is yes. Guardian advocacy can be a medications, check out doctors and networks and compare life again! Get out of your safe zone. It’s not that fun. There are
particularly challenging process, which is why we encourage multiple plans with you. solutions to cure this ailment. Be honest with yourself. Connect.
you to seek the guidance of an experienced special needs I speak Medicare: Supplement, Drug Plan and Advantage Again. Just do it. Thank me later.
attorney for assistance. Although it is possible to seek Plan. For a free Medicare Plan review please call me. Kathy
guardian advocacy of your child without the guidance of Olejniczak, agent, (561) 212-7640. Lifestyles on page 21
an attorney, there is no substitute to discussing your unique
needs with an experienced special needs attorney who can
help ensure your child remains legally protected once he
or she turns 18 years old.
We know this article may raise more questions than
it answers for you. If you have specific questions about
guardian advocacy in Florida, do not wait to contact us
and let us answer your questions about your unique legal
needs.
If you have questions about your estate plan and what
documents you should have in place to plan your estate,
schedule a free consultation today by calling our office at
(561) 694-7827, Anné Desormier-Cartwright, Esq., Elder
& Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive,
Suite 3, Jupiter, FL 33458.
The content of this article is general and should not be
relied upon without review of your specific circumstances
by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information
herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by
the firm on your specific circumstances or legal needs.
An attorney client relationship is not created through the
information provided herein. Do You Have An Old Fur Hanging
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