President’s Executive Order Tips the Scales Even More in Favor of Private Medicare Advantage Plans Over Original Medicare
Read moreThe President’s Executive Order signed last Thursday 10/3 is just another attempt to dismantle Original Medicare. The press conference contained lies and mis-construed information, for example, saying that this EO is to “… ensure that, as much as we can, our Fee-for-Service Medicare program is not advantaged or promoted over Medicare Advantage with respect...
0
2020 Brings Changes to Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Read moreCongress passed a law in 2015 to prevent Medicare beneficiaries from buying Medigap plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law on April 16, 2015 with an effective date of January 1, 2020. This change in federal law, prohibiting coverage...
Skilled Nursing Facilities New Medicare Payment System Takes Effect ~ Is It Patient or Profit Driven?
Read moreAs of October 1, 2019, Medicare is implementing a new payment system for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), according to an update from our partners at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR). It is called the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), yet how “patient driven” the complicated payment system is (or is not) remains to...
Unbiased Info from CMS on Medicare Coverage Options is No Longer a Given
Read moreIt is no longer a given that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will issue neutral, unbiased information about beneficiaries’ traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage options. In a recent article, Medicare & You 2020 ~ Better than Draft, But Room for Improvement, our partners at Center for Medicare Advocacy lay out in...
Social Security Phone Scams on the Rise ~ When in Doubt, Hang Up!
Read moreWe’ve written a couple warnings on “spoofed” Social Security phone scams, where scammers “appear” to be from Social Security and ask for your Social Security number. These scams are continuing AND we’re receiving reports of these scams with new twists. In one version, the caller, saying they’re from Social Security, informs you that your...
CalFresh Applications Soar After Food Stamp Program Includes More Seniors & People with Disabilities
Read moreBeginning June 1, elderly and disabled residents who receive federal Supplemental Security Income became eligible to enroll in the CalFresh program without getting any of their Social Security benefits decreased. The expansion provides a significant increase in quality of life and the ability to meet one’s basic needs, as SSI recipients previously were not...
NAIC Cautions Free Financial Seminars May Not Be a Bargain
Read moreHundreds of financial seminars are presented each year, often boosting attendance by offering a free meal at an upscale restaurant. However, the costs of these seminars can far exceed the price of a steak dinner for attendees, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Advocates Propose Agenda Priorities for California’s Master Plan for Aging
Read moreCalifornia Health Advocates, along with over 100 other advocacy organizations statewide signed onto this letter that applauds the Governor’s creation of a Master Plan for Aging and stresses the importance of policy solutions that focus on equity, diversity and inclusion. It also lays out eight specific priorities that the plan must address, including: Advancing...