Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney in Charlottesville

Offering Health Care and Estate Planning Services

What is Consumer Health Care Law? Health Care law is simply a legal practice that focuses on the laws that involve people's health and the delivery of health care. Some of these laws are federal laws, such as the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), HIPAA, and the Social Security Act, which provides both Medicare and disability benefits. Some health care laws are state laws, such as the Virginia Healthcare Decisions Act, the Virginia Medicaid laws and regulations, and the laws and regulations that govern the practice of medicine in Virginia. Some health care law is not associated with a specific statute or regulation at all but are rules handed down by judges in our courts, such as most of the law governing medical malpractice and health care contracts.

Who is a health care consumer? As a patient, taxpayer, or purchaser of a health care or disability insurance plan, you are the health care consumer. Norton Health Law only represents consumers in health care related disputes. Insurance companies, corporate health care providers, and government agencies all have teams of experienced health care attorneys on their side and consumers are at a serious disadvantage when there's a dispute with one of these entities. To succeed in such a dispute, you need an experienced health care attorney who can quickly assess your situation and guide you to solutions. Our founding health care attorney, Beth Norton, has had distinguished careers in both health care delivery and health care law, and she will use her experience in both to empower you with the knowledge you need to choose the solution that is best for you. Her unique background gives her clients a competitive edge in health care conflicts.

In addition to helping you with the health care issues you face today, Norton Health Law is committed to helping you plan for a healthier tomorrow.

A lot of people think health care and estate planning are only for the very old and/or wealthy, but that's not true. Yes, the need to plan certainly becomes more urgent as we age and accumulate more property, but a health care emergency can incapacitate you at any point in your life and even if the only things you own are your TV, cell phone and car, you have an "estate."

And if you have children or pets, it's extremely important you make decisions about who will care for them and how they will be cared for if you were no longer able to take care of them yourself. If you don’t plan ahead, all these decisions will be made for you by someone else, often a judge, who may or may not make the same decisions you would.

Failing to plan may also cause your loved ones unnecessary money, time, and stress, particularly if the courts have to get involved.

Health care and estate planning ensure that you and your dependents receive the care and protection you both need, and that your wishes are met without causing your family additional pain.

Our team is ready to assist you with your healthcare law needs. Call (434) 216-4020 or contact us online to start the conversation.