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CHA Advocates for Ongoing Special Enrollment Periods & Equitable Relief During Pandemic

California Health Advocates > Advocacy & Policy > Letters and Comments to Policymakers > CHA Advocates for Ongoing Special Enrollment Periods & Equitable Relief During Pandemic

Posted by Karen Joy Fletcher on February 5, 2021

female doctor with red stethoscope holding red heart

California Health Advocates joins many organizations across the nation in advocating for ongoing Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and equitable relief for premium Medicare Part A and B during the pandemic.

Older adults and people with disabilities are at high risk of infection, serious illness, and even death from COVID-19, and if they do not have health coverage, they may not be able to obtain medical treatment at a time when they need it most.

This letter requests the immediate reinstatement of two critical COVID-19 related Medicare enrollment flexibilities: the Special Enrollment Period for Part C and Part D, and Equitable Relief for Premium Part A and Part B. These policies should remain in effect through December 31 of the year the public health emergency ends, at a minimum, and coverage should begin no later than the first day of the month following enrollment. These enrollment flexibilities will ensure all Medicare-eligible individuals can access their coverage during this challenging time.

Read the full letter here.

Filed Under: COVID-19, Letters and Comments to Policymakers, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Basics, Prescription Drugs - Blog

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About Karen Joy Fletcher

Our blogger Karen Joy Fletcher is CHA's Communications Director. With a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley, she is the online "public face" of the organization, provides technical expertise, writing and research on Medicare and other health care issues. She is responsible for digital content creation, management of CHA’s editorial calendar, and managing all aspects of CHA’s social media presence. She loves being a "communicator" and enjoys networking and collaborating with the passionate people and agencies in the health advocacy field. See her current articles.

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