Medicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Friday, Dec 7 ~ Now’s the Time to Make Your Coverage Choices for 2019
Read moreHave you made your health care coverage choices for 2019? If so, great! If not, now is the time, as Medicare’s open enrollment ends this Friday, December 7. Each year this open enrollment period, also known as the Annual Election Period (AEP) is from October 15 – December 7. It’s a time where you...
0CMS Provides Additional Protection Measures for California Beneficiaries Affected by Wildfires
Read moreWith a growing number of Medicare beneficiaries affected by California wildfires and other natural and manmade disasters across the country, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has provided additional protection measures to ensure these beneficiaries have access to care, prescription drugs and durable medical equipment. These measures are in addition to the Special Enrollment...
More Good News Regarding Equitable Relief for Part B Penalties
Read moreEarlier this month, we shared the good news that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the equitable relief for Part B penalties for one more year until September 30, 2019. We also found out that CMS is adopting our recommendation to create a permanent fix. Both of these changes will make...
Medicare’s Open Enrollment is Here ~ Review Your Medicare Options for 2019!
Read moreMedicare’s Fall Open Enrollment is here! Officially known as the Annual Election Period 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’s Open Enrollment Starts Oct 15th ~ Check Your Coverage Options & Your Mail
Read moreMedicare’s annual fall Open Enrollment is almost here! Running from October 15 – December 7, this is an important time to review your coverage and make any necessary changes for your coverage going forward as of January 1, 2019. During the open enrollment, you can join or switch Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Part...
Time-Limited Equitable Relief for Part B Penalties Extended 1 More Year
Read moreThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended their time-limited equitable relief from Medicare Part B penalties for one more year. It is now set to expire September 30, 2019. Eligible beneficiaries include people who are in Marketplace plans and missed signing up for Medicare Part B during their Special Enrollment Period following...
Medicare Cost Plans Ending by 2019 ~ Make Sure Members Know Their Rights
Read moreWhile many people haven’t heard of Medicare Cost plans, those who have often see them as the “best of both worlds”. Cost plans are basically an HMO with the option to opt out of the plan’s limited network of providers and see any doctor using Original fee-for-service Medicare. They are like an HMO with...
Changes in Medicare Summary Notices Will Help Prevent Improper Billing
Read moreProviders, suppliers and pharmacies serving Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program are not allowed to bill these beneficiaries for Medicare Part A or B deductibles, coinsurance or copays. Yet, repeatedly we and other advocates hear of QMB beneficiaries being improperly billed for these Medicare costs. To help provide...
Ask Congress to Support Medically Necessary Oral Health Care
Read moreWe need your help getting Members of Congress to sign on to letters asking CMS to provide Medicare coverage for medically necessary dental care, as authorized by law. Right now there is an opportunity to encourage your delegation to sign on to these letters. Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected with your Senators...
Administration Imposes Deep Cuts to Grants Helping Americans Buy ACA Plans…Again
Read moreEarlier this month the Trump Administration took more actions towards sabotaging the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and people’s access to quality health care suitable for their needs. The Administration is eliminating almost all the funding for “navigators”, the grass roots groups that help Americans “navigate” the health insurance marketplace to buy coverage, and, at...