Advanced Care Planning During COVID-19 ~ An Important Conversation to Have
Read moreIf not now, when? The coronavirus (COVID-19) puts everyone at risk, but especially our older adults 65 years or older and anyone with a pre-existing health condition and/or compromised immune system. If you or a loved one has not yet had a conversion about health care choices during a potential serious illness,...
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COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Need for Changes in Medicare Enrollment Process
Read moreUPDATE 4/10/20: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has notified us and the public that it is working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide relief from certain enrollment requirements, and is already waiving the requirement to have an employer complete a section of form CMS-L564 as part of the Part...
Protections Needed for Medicare Beneficiaries Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read moreDue to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many current and future eligible Medicare beneficiaries are adversely impacted by restrictions in communications and have lost their ability to enroll in Medicare during the recent General Election Period (GEP) that ended on March 31, 2020. Many Medicare beneficiaries have been unable to reach their local Social…
CHA Requests Extension of Medicare’s General Enrollment Period Until Social Security Offices Reopen
Read moreIn the letter below to Social Security Commissioner, Andrew Saul, California Health Advocates (CHA) requests an extension of the General Enrollment Period (GEP) until local Social Security offices reopen. Such an extension would be similar to a previous “equitable relief” measure given to those who mistakenly kept their Marketplace plan, instead of enrolling in...
CHA Supports SB 1342 ~ Long Term Care Insurance Inflation Protection
Read moreBonnie Burns, our Training and Policy Specialist, submitted the following letter in support of Senator Richard Roth’s bill SB 1342. This bill would require a new minimum amount of inflation protection for long-term care insurance policies under the California Partnership for Long Term Care. See the bill text for full details, and see Burns’…
Watch Out for New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam
Read moreThe Inspector General for Social Security just sent out a warning about fraudulent letters threatening to suspend Social Security benefits due to the coronavirus or COVID-19-related office closures. This is a scam. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefit because offices are closed. Read the Inspector General’s warning below. You can also report...
Beware of Offers to Test for Coronavirus ~ These Are Scams
Read moreAs the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-2019) is spreading locally and worldwide, people’s concern and anxiety are high. This concern, combined with new information daily, creates a situation ripe for confusion and fraud. Here are things to remember to protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 scams: Beware of door-to-door solicitors selling test...
Medicare & Coronavirus ~ What You Need to Know
Read moreThis article, written by Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides tips on how to avoid coronavirus (COVID-19) scams and reviews Medicare’s coverage for COVID-19, including newly expanded telehealth services during this pandemic. Read below for details. Medicare & Coronavirus ~ What You Need to Know By...