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Medicare & Other Health Insurance

California Health Advocates > Blog > News > Medicare & Other Health Insurance

Medigap’s “Birthday Rule” is Extended to 60 Days

April 14, 2020 By Karen Fletcher

Want to change to a different Medigap plan? If you live in California and have a Medigap plan, you can. Our state law allows you an opportunity to buy certain plans without a health screening each year starting on your birthday for at least 60 days. This window used to be 30 days, but, thanks to the passage of SB 407 (Monning) in 2019, this Medigap "Birthday Rule" has been … [Read more...] about Medigap’s “Birthday Rule” is Extended to 60 Days

Filed Under: Medicare & Other Health Insurance

CHA Applauds Maryland’s Efforts to Bring Medigap “Birthday Rule” Right to Consumers

March 4, 2020 By Karen Fletcher

California Health Advocates submitted these two letters of support on behalf of Maryland's HB 653 and SB 659 which would establish the “birthday rule” for Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap) for Marylanders. Our state originally adopted this rule more than 20 years ago, and Oregon adopted the same rule about 7 years ago. CHA applauds Maryland's efforts to extend this right … [Read more...] about CHA Applauds Maryland’s Efforts to Bring Medigap “Birthday Rule” Right to Consumers

Filed Under: Advocacy & Policy, Letters and Comments to Policymakers, Medicare & Other Health Insurance

House Leaders Introduce Bills to Prevent COBRA from Biting People Eligible for Medicare

February 4, 2020 By Karen Fletcher

“Many retirees are unexpectedly exposed to out-of-pocket liability for any costs paid under COBRA benefits on or after date of Medicare eligibility and penalties for late enrollment in Medicare. Some of this risk would be eliminated if COBRA notices addressed the interaction with Medicare, and vice versa.  Unfortunately, such information is not required under either Medicare or … [Read more...] about House Leaders Introduce Bills to Prevent COBRA from Biting People Eligible for Medicare

Filed Under: Medicare & Other Health Insurance, Medicare Billings, Claims & Appeals

House Passes Historic Bill to Lower Drug Prices & Expand Medicare

December 13, 2019 By Karen Fletcher

On December 12th, the U.S. House of Representative passed a historic piece of legislation, Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) by a vote of 230-192. If signed into law, this legislation would significantly reduce the cost of prescription drugs for beneficiaries and Medicare, including authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs and capping … [Read more...] about House Passes Historic Bill to Lower Drug Prices & Expand Medicare

Filed Under: Advocacy & Policy, Health Care Reform, Letters and Comments to Policymakers, Low-income help, Medicare & Other Health Insurance, Medicare Basics, Prescription Drugs - Blog

Open Enrollment is Here! ~ It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Options for 2020

October 15, 2019 By Karen Fletcher

Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment is here! Officially known as the Annual Election Period (AEP) 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 Medicare. Similarly if you’re in Original … [Read more...] about Open Enrollment is Here! ~ It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Options for 2020

Filed Under: Medicare & Other Health Insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Basics, Prescription Drugs - Blog

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Do you have comments or concerns about your Medicare coverage? Issues regarding getting your needed prescriptions from your Part D plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan representative's marketing practices? Let us know at comments@cahealthadvocates.org.

We are dedicated to making Medicare's program work well for all beneficiaries. Your feedback from your own or your client's concerns and experiences with Medicare, will guide our Medicare advocacy efforts with key policy and decision-makers in both California and nationally with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Congress.

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