SMP Warning: “Free” Genetic Testing or Cancer Screenings Offers Are a Scam
Read moreIf you are approached by someone who offers a “free” genetic testing or cancer screening, turn it down. This is not a free test and needs to be performed by your primary physician if medically necessary. These scams are currently one of the top three reported to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). One...
0CHA Supports AB 1042 ~ Helping People in a Nursing Home Return Home
Read moreCalifornia Health Advocates submitted the following letter in support of AB 1042, which will help low-income persons living in a nursing home or other medical facility return home. Many seniors and people with disabilities live in facilities when they would rather live in their community. Medi-Cal pays for institutional living but does not make it...
Beneficiaries Pay the Price for Hospice Fraud
Read moreHospice fraud continues to be one of the top three types of Medicare fraud reported to our California Senior Medicare Patrol each month. Not only is this fraud robbing Medicare and taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars each year, it is hurting Medicare beneficiaries. This can happen in a number of ways, as...
Support AB 715 ~ Give Seniors & People with Disabilities Equal Access to Medi-Cal
Read moreCalifornia Health Advocates is one of over 60 organizations that have signed on in support of AB 715, which would raise the income level of the Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal program (A&D program) to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL), creating a “bright line” of income eligibility. This would allow adults with full...
REAL ID Requirements & What It Means for Older Adults
Read moreThe REAL ID has generated real confusion, particularly around the timing of compliance and what it means for older adults. Our partners at the National Center on Law & Elder Rights (NCLER) created an informative tip sheet that explains what the REAL ID is, how states vary in compliance, and what older adults need...
Bill Introduced to Expand Medicare Part D’s Extra Help (S. 691)
Read moreSenator Casey (D-PA) recently introduced a bill (S. 691) that would expand Medicare Part D’s Extra Help program. Called the Medicare Extra Rx HELP (Higher Eligibility Limits in PartD) Act, this bill would eliminate the asset test completely and raise the income limit to provide full Extra Help benefits to people with incomes at...
Governor Newsom Calls for a Master Plan on Aging
Read moreFor years, California Health Advocates along with many senior advocates across the state have been advocating for a master plan to address the socioeconomic needs and demands of our growing and diverse older adult population. Last month we were pleased to see that our new governor, Governor Gavin Newsom, included creating a “Master Plan for...
Medicare at 50 Act Would Provide Medicare Opt-In for People Age 50-64
Read moreToday the U.S. GPO posted the text of S. 470, the “Medicare at 50 Act” introduced on February 13, 2019, by Senator Stabenow (D-MI) and cosponsored by 19 other Democrat Senators. The bill establishes a Medicare “Buy-In“ option for individuals age 50 to 64, and provides for Medigap “guaranteed issue” upon first enrollment and...