The Benefits & “How To” of Creating an Oral Health Benefit in Medicare
Read moreDid you know that over 50% of older adults don’t have access to oral health care? This is the case despite the fact that one in five older adults have untreated tooth decay and 70% have gum disease. The numbers are even higher among older adults of color, those with low-incomes and/or less education,...
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Having Trouble with Your Nursing Home? Learn Common Problems & How to Resolve Them
Read moreCan a nursing home deny needed therapy services? Evict a resident for being “difficult”? Limit family members and friends to specified “visiting hours”?
Statement on Governor’s New Year Budget ~ Good Investments & More is Needed for Long Term Care Needs of Older Adults & Those with Disabilities
Read moreThe Governor’s January 2019-20 budget proposal makes much-needed investments in California’s communities. Yet, more is required to address the long-term care needs of older adults and persons with disabilities to ensure their highest quality of life and quality of care. California Health Advocates is one of 37 organizations making up the California Collaborative for...
Senate Bill Introduced to Include Dental Benefit as Part of Medicare Part B
Read moreIn early January, Senator Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2019 (S. 22) which would add a comprehensive oral care benefit to the Medicare program. It would repeal a current mandate that prohibits Medicare coverage for such services, and would embed this oral health care benefit into Medicare Part B. Comprehensive...
Your Story Can Help Us Fix California’s Broken Long Term Care System
Read moreDid you or a loved one have to spend all of your savings and other assets in order to pay out of pocket for long term care services or qualify for In Home Support Services (IHSS)? We’re working to fix California’s broken long-term care system and our advocacy partners at United Domestic Workers of...
COBRA Warning for People Eligible for Medicare
Read moreIf you are eligible for Medicare, regardless of whether you signed up for it, COBRA can bite you! COBRA – the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act – gives you the legal right to continue group health benefits when they might otherwise end due to job loss, divorce or death. They are the same as...
Alert ~ Delayed Billing for Medicare Part B Premium Payments in December 2018
Read moreWe just received word from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that there was a delay in the mailing of the December 2018 Medicare Premium Bills (CMS-500). Bills are normally mailed by the 10th of each month. Yet, last month, CMS’ print contractor mailed the Medicare Premium Bills almost a week late,...
Beware of Fake Calls Regarding Your Social Security Number
Read moreLast fall we warned of “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 the Federal Trade Commission has received some reports of these scams with new twists. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social...