Congress passed a law in 2015 to prevent Medicare beneficiaries from buying Medigap plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law on April 16, 2015 with an effective date of January 1, 2020. This change in federal law, prohibiting coverage for the Part B deductible, was to encourage Medicare … [Read more...] about 2020 Brings Changes to Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Adding Long Term Care Services to Medigaps Isn’t a Good Option & Here’s Why
Below is California Health Advocate's comment letter to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) about Medigap and long term care services and supports (LTSS). It is in response to Chairman Neal's of the House Ways and Means Committee inquiry about the possibility of including these benefits in Medigap policies. While we share Chairman Neal’s … [Read more...] about Adding Long Term Care Services to Medigaps Isn’t a Good Option & Here’s Why
CHA Weighs in on Medigaps & Innovative Benefits
Bonnie Burns, our Training and Policy Specialist and also long-time consumer representative of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), submitted this letter to the Chair of the NAIC Senior Issues Task Force, Lori Wing-Heier. Burns addresses the conundrum of the introduction of "innovative benefits" in some standardized Medigap policies in various states and … [Read more...] about CHA Weighs in on Medigaps & Innovative Benefits
Keep Medigap Plans Standardized ~ Support SB 407
Approximately 11 million Medicare beneficiaries have Medicare Supplement insurance, better known as Medigap. Medigap pays some or all of Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs, namely the coinsurance and deductibles. Medigap insurance is offered through 10 standardized, easily comparable benefit packages, plans A-N, mandated under federal law. (Note: plans E, H, I and J were previously … [Read more...] about Keep Medigap Plans Standardized ~ Support SB 407
COBRA Warning for People Eligible for Medicare
If 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 those you had in the employer plan. Yet, federal rules that apply while you … [Read more...] about COBRA Warning for People Eligible for Medicare
