Protections Needed for Medicare Beneficiaries Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read moreDue to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many current and future eligible Medicare beneficiaries are adversely impacted by restrictions in communications and have lost their ability to enroll in Medicare during the recent General Election Period (GEP) that ended on March 31, 2020. Many Medicare beneficiaries have been unable to reach their local Social…
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CHA Requests Extension of Medicare’s General Enrollment Period Until Social Security Offices Reopen
Read moreIn the letter below to Social Security Commissioner, Andrew Saul, California Health Advocates (CHA) requests an extension of the General Enrollment Period (GEP) until local Social Security offices reopen. Such an extension would be similar to a previous “equitable relief” measure given to those who mistakenly kept their Marketplace plan, instead of enrolling in...
Watch Out for New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam
Read moreThe Inspector General for Social Security just sent out a warning about fraudulent letters threatening to suspend Social Security benefits due to the coronavirus or COVID-19-related office closures. This is a scam. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefit because offices are closed. Read the Inspector General’s warning below. You can also report...
Beware of Offers to Test for Coronavirus ~ These Are Scams
Read moreAs the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-2019) is spreading locally and worldwide, people’s concern and anxiety are high. This concern, combined with new information daily, creates a situation ripe for confusion and fraud. Here are things to remember to protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 scams: Beware of door-to-door solicitors selling test...
Medicare & Coronavirus ~ What You Need to Know
Read moreThis article, written by Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides tips on how to avoid coronavirus (COVID-19) scams and reviews Medicare’s coverage for COVID-19, including newly expanded telehealth services during this pandemic. Read below for details. Medicare & Coronavirus ~ What You Need to Know By...
CMS Waives 3-Day Inpatient Requirement for Skilled Nursing Care
Read moreThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently announced a number of Section 1135 waivers as part of their response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This includes waiving the 3-day hospital inpatient requirement for Medicare to cover skilled nursing care. CMS is waiving the requirement at Section 1812(f) of the...
Medicare Covers COVID-19 Tests & CMS Issues Guidance to Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans
Read moreAs the coronavirus is spreading nationally and globally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced early in March that Medicare will cover coronavirus testing. All COVID-19 tests ordered by your doctor or other health care provider will be covered under Medicare Part B as a diagnostic laboratory test, and therefore has no...
CHA Supports Family Caregiver Economic Security Act
Read moreCalifornia Health Advocates submitted this letter in support of Assembly Bill 1993, The Family Caregiver Economic Security Act, as introduced on January 27, 2020. This bill would amend state law to expand eligibility for Unemployment Insurance (UI) to include In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS) providers who care for a...