CalABLE Will Allow Qualified People with Disabilities to Save Money without Fear of Losing Public Benefits
Read moreThe California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) Program, scheduled to "open for business" the end of 2018, will allow qualified people with a disability to established a tax-advantaged savings account and save up to $15,000 a year with a max of $100,000 without losing vital public benefits. Contributions can be made by family...
0Be Aware of Agent Misconduct ~ Know Medicare’s Marketing Rules
Read moreWith Medicare’s fall open enrollment period just a couple months away (Oct 15 – Dec 7), it’s good to remind ourselves of Medicare’s marketing rules. Knowing the “do’s and don’ts” that all insurance agents and brokers must follow, helps to detect and prevent fraud. Here are some simple reminders… CMS Marketing Rules Do Not...
Special Election Period Changes for Dual Eligibles & Others with Extra Help, Starting in January 2019
Read moreCurrently people who have both Medicare and full Medi-Cal coverage and others who have the Extra Help are allowed to change their Medicare Advantage (MA) and/or Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) during any month of the year. They have what’s called a continuous special election period (SEP). This is different from other beneficiaries...
DHCS Allows Brokers to Market Cal MediConnect Plans
Read moreDespite opposition from California Health Advocates and other advocates statewide, California’s Department of Heath Care Services (DHCS) recently approved a new pilot that will allow brokers to market Cal MediConnect plans to dual eligibles as of January 1, 2019. This new pilot overturns a longtime ban on brokers which prevented them from marketing Cal Mediconnect plans for...
Administration Imposes Deep Cuts to Grants Helping Americans Buy ACA Plans…Again
Read moreEarlier this month the Trump Administration took more actions towards sabotaging the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and people’s access to quality health care suitable for their needs. The Administration is eliminating almost all the funding for “navigators”, the grass roots groups that help Americans “navigate” the health insurance marketplace to buy coverage, and, at...
CHA Opposes SB 1004 ~ Save Funding for Older Adults’ Mental Health Services
Read moreUpdate on 8/14/18: The California Collaborative for Long Term Care Services (and hence CHA) has withdrawn our opposition to SB 1004. We greatly appreciate the substantial revisions made to SB 1004 to include funding and provisions for increased access to mental health services for older adults. Posted 7/25/18: The California Collaborative for Long...
Newly Introduced Bill Would Strengthen Medigaps & Consumer Protections
Read moreEarlier this month, Representative Sandy Levin (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, introduced the Medigap Consumer Protection Act of 2018. This legislation would provide a long overdue overhaul on Medigap’s consumer protections, ensuring that all beneficiaries, regardless of their age, disability, or any other pre-existing condition, have ease in accessing...
Tips on How to Afford Your Prescription Drugs
Read morePrescription drugs are not getting cheaper. Yet there are some ways people with Medicare Part D coverage can make their drug costs more affordable. Here are a few tips to save on drug costs.