While it’s not a pleasant topic to think about, disability will end up being a major concern for many people. Accordingly, it’s important to plan for both temporary and permanent disability, and the legal team at Woodlawn Law Offices can help clients in O’Fallon, MO, do just that.  Below are a few tips on what you can do to ensure you’re prepared in case you become incapacitated by illness or injury.

Tips on Planning for Disability

Enable Access to Medical Information

Accessing your medical information will be a top concern if you’re incapacitated by illness or injury. However, current laws prevent unauthorized individuals from obtaining another person’s medical records. This issue can be sidestepped, however, by creating a HIPPA authorization for your family, which will allow them to access important records when the time comes. An estate planning attorney can assist you with authorizing individuals.

Create a Solid Financial Plan

Along with medical matters, you’ll also need to consider what will happen with your finances in the event you become disabled. In this case, instituting a power of attorney is crucial to ensure financial decisions are tended to. A power of attorney names a specific individual to oversee your financial affairs when you’re incapable of doing so. If you fail to make this designation and become incapacitated, the court will step in and appoint a person on your behalf (which might not be in your best interest).

Keep Long-Term Care Options In Mind

If you are permanently disabled, you might need to be placed in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Costs related to nursing homes are often exorbitant, and in most cases, they are not covered by Medicare. As a result, you consider how you will pay for these services in case they are needed in the future. Disability insurance is just one option that can help pay for residency in a nursing home or even provide funding to set up in-home care.

From probate law to workers’ compensation claims, Woodlawn Law Offices brings over 25 years of legal experience to the table to benefit local clients. Schedule your consultation with an attorney in O’Fallon by calling (636) 240-6667 today. You can also learn more about practice areas by visiting this firm online.