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...
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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...
New Fact Sheet on Medicare Part C & D Plan Enrollment Changes for Dual Eligibles
Read moreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules limiting enrollment and disenrollment from Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans for Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes. In the past, people with Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage (also known as dual eligibles) – and beneficiaries with the Part D Extra...
CalABLE Provides People with Disabilities a Path to Economic Security
Read moreCalifornia’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) program is now open for enrollment! This is great news for hundreds of thousands of Californians with disabilities, as this program will empower them to save for their futures, without worrying that they’ll lose access to vital public programs. Specifically, CalABLE will allow qualified people with a...
DME Conviction & Fraud Settlement Reported
Read moreDurable medical equipment (DME) fraud continues to be one of the top kinds of fraud reported to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). We receive many cases where beneficiaries disclose personal information to callers offering them braces. In other cases, beneficiaries respond to TV commercials advertising braces to alleviate pain and later receive a low...
CHA Shares 2019 Priorities for Long Term Services and Supports
Read moreCalifornia Health Advocates (CHA) is an active member of the California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports (CCLTSS). Below is a letter CHA and the 36 other organizations of CCLTSS submitted to the California Legislature outlining their 2019 priorities for long term services and supports. December 28, 2018 Hon. Toni Atkins President...
CHA Supports S. 3679, the READI for Disasters Act
Read moreAs a member of the California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports (CCLTSS), CHA and 36 other advocacy organizations submitted this letter to our California Senators in support of S. 3679, the Readiness for Elders and Americans with Disabilities Inclusion (READI) for Disasters Act. This act would establish a National Commission on Disability...