VA’s New Final Rule Affects Several of its Needs-Based Programs
Read moreEarlier this month, the Department of Veteran Affairs’ new final rule went into affect, which significantly impacts the VA Pension, the Aid & Attendance Benefit and some other needs-based benefit programs. Those who work with Veterans should be aware of these changes when advising clients. Many of the changes affect certain eligibility requirements, including:...
0
Join Us at Online Care Fair, 11/15 from 2-5 p.m. ~ Free Resources for Caregivers
Read moreDo you know of any caregivers looking for helpful advice, resources and real support? If so, spread the word and join us for AARP’s free live Online Care Fair on Thursday, November 15, 2018, 2-5 p.m. PST. Both California Health Advocates and our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) are participating and will have a...
More Good News Regarding Equitable Relief for Part B Penalties
Read moreEarlier this month, we shared the good news that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the equitable relief for Part B penalties for one more year until September 30, 2019. We also found out that CMS is adopting our recommendation to create a permanent fix. Both of these changes will make...
Spread Smiles & Good Feelings ~ Join Us on #GivingTuesday to Give Back
Read moreGiving does good. Not only do people receiving a gift feel good, but the giver is filled with happiness, wellbeing and a fulfilling sense of doing something good! This act of giving has a ripple effect and can easily spread smiles and good feelings far and wide, causing a cascade of good things! And,...
Be Informed with the Medicare Fully Informed Project
Read moreEach year during Medicare’s Open Enrollment (Oct 15- Dec 7), beneficiaries are inundated with marketing materials from growing numbers of Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, and materials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). While these materials are supposed to help beneficiaries review current plan changes and make informed choices for...
Medicare’s Open Enrollment is Here ~ Review Your Medicare Options for 2019!
Read moreMedicare’s Fall Open Enrollment is here! Officially known as the Annual Election Period which runs from October 15 through December 7, this is main time when you can change your coverage. All changes are effective January 1 next year. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or disenroll and return to Original...
Learn Tips to Prevent Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
Read moreMedicare’s annual open enrollment is from Oct 15 – Dec 7. It’s an important time of year to review the changes in your current coverage for the new year and look at your other coverage options. Sifting through your current plan’s coverage changes can be overwhelming to digest, let alone understanding all the other...
Do You Have Your New Medicare Card? Beware of New Scams
Read moreIn California, the new Medicare cards mailing is complete. These new cards help prevent identity theft by no longer using people’s Social Security number as their Medicare number. Now people have a new 11 digit Medicare number that combines numbers and letters and excludes gender identity and signatures. Does this mean the end of...