Helping Older Immigrants Navigate Medicare
Did you know that more than 8 million U.S. residents age 65 and older are immigrants, and that 4 million Medicare beneficiaries have limited English proficiency? If you are an…
An Update on Medi-Cal Share of Cost Reform
This summer, Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature passed a budget that continues to protect many of the central services older adults and people with disabilities rely on. We…
Supreme Court Decision to Overturn “Chevron Deference” Could Have Far Reaching Implications for Health Care Policy
KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization, recently released an issue brief that examines some of the far-reaching implications for health policy of the recent U.S. Supreme…
New Legislation Proposed to Raise Personal Needs Allowance for Nursing Home Residents
New legislation has been introduced that would allow a long-overdue increase to the Personal Needs Allowance for nursing home residents. The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) is the maximum amount of…
Good News on SSI Overpayments During the COVID-19 Emergency
A recent court-approved settlement will benefit over two million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients affected by overpayments during the COVID-19 public health emergency period. Social Security and SSI overpayments occur…
Medi-Cal’s Asset Limit is Now Eliminated
It’s finally done. Medi-Cal’s asset limit was officially eliminated as of January 1, 2024. This is a moment that we at California Health Advocates, as well as advocates, beneficiaries and…
Beneficiaries in Medicare Savings Programs Erroneously Charged Premiums
Reports from beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) or the Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) have recently come in regarding erroneous billing for Medicare premiums. The Social Security…
CHA Advocates for Timely Implementation of Medi-Cal Share of Cost Reform
California Health Advocates, along with 70 other advocacy organizations statewide, submitted a letter to Governor Newsom requesting that implementation of Medi-Cal Share of Cost reform be included in his January…
California Simplifies Medicare Enrollment for Low-Income Adults: Governor Signs SB 311 for Part A Buy-In
In October, Governor Newsom signed SB 311 (Eggman), legislation which will simplify Medicare enrollment for low-income adults and make California a Part A Buy-In State. Becoming a “Part A Buy-In…
New Medicare Benefits & Changes Starting Jan 1, 2024
2024 will bring some positive changes and expanded Medicare benefits. Below is a summary of some of these changes with references for more information. You can also view your 2024…
