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Let Us Bring Our Customized Medicare Trainings to You!
Workshops are specifically designed for professionals who serve Medicare beneficiaries. CHA’s interactive workshops are presented by Medicare subject matter experts, ensuring high-quality training
customized to meet your needs.
Benefits to your organization:
- Premier up-to-date training for staff and management and customized technical assistance
- Improved personalized assistance, Medicare knowledge and service to clients, patients and staff
- Increased understanding about local community-based services available to Medicare beneficiaries in the community
While some may think Medicare is not a relevant topic within your organization, it’s important and matters! It especially matters to those with Medicare, to staff serving people with Medicare and/or employees aging into Medicare.
That’s why we developed customizable integrated training and marketing modules to bring our 20+ years of expertise to you.
These training programs, serving pharmacy organizations and corporations, hospitals, social workers and other service agencies and companies, provide up-to-date and comprehensive Medicare training while creating a program to reach out to your patients and potential patients in a very personal way.
For more information on our customized Medicare trainings and fees, please contact us at news@cahealthadvocates.org or 916-465-8104.
Current Workshop Topics
- Medicare: An Overview (3-6 hours)
- An Introduction to Medicare Part C Advantage Plans (3 hours)
- Assistance for People with Low incomes (3-6 hours)
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance & Other Coverage (6 hours)
- Medicare Appeals & Grievances (3 hours) – Thorough background in Medicare recommended.
- Protecting Your Medicare Benefits from Fraud & Abuse (2 hours) – CHA receives federal funding to provide Senior Medicare Patrol workshops free of charge. Also available in Spanish.
- Long-Term Care Planning (Basic and/or Advanced) (6-12 hours)
Our in-depth onsite workshops combine instructor-led presentations, small group exercises, case studies, and question and answer sessions. An additional 10 hours of customized technical assistance is provided following every workshop.
Participants receive a complete packet of reference materials and other useful resources. CHA also offers all workshops as webinars. Webinars include 30-day access to a recording of the workshop. We also offer a-la-carte workshops tailored to meet your educational needs.
Speaker information
For more information about our knowledgeable speakers/trainers, see our staff biographies.
- Bonnie Burns, Training & Policy Specialist
- Tatiana Fassieux, Training Specialist
UPCOMING PUBLIC WEBINARS
- 2025 Medicare Updates – What Beneficiaries Need to Know – Register Today!
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10am PT
Learn how to navigate Open Enrollment and what’s new with Medicare in 2025. In this webinar, Tatiana Fassieux, our Training and Education Specialist, will:
–Share Medicare costs and changes for 2025
–Review enrollment periods
–List options available for beneficiaries in non-renewing plans
–Review the 2025 Medicare Advantage & Part D plan landscape, including the Part D redesign
–Identify situations that allow a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Part D and Medigap guaranteed issue rights
–Review eligibility for several low-income savings programs, and
–Highlight Open Enrollment fraud alerts and scams
Presenter, Tatiana Fassieux, Training and Education Specialist, California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol - What You Need To Know About Supplementing Medicare for the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period – Register Today!
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 10 – 11:30am PT
Explore how Medigap and other types of health coverage can supplement your Medicare benefits. Understand how and when you can make changes in your health care coverage, and hear a brief update on Medicare scams.
Presenter, Bonnie Burns, Training and Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates and Ben Winker, Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Inflation Reduction Act Updates for 2025, Vaccination Coverage & Open Enrollment Reminders
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10am PT
Presenter: Jienelle Herndon, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- 2025 Medicare Updates
January 23, 2025
Presenters: Center for Medicare Advocacy and staff member of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Protect Yourself from Financial Fraud and Scams
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Learn how you can protect yourself from investment fraud, common scams, and unscrupulous sales practices that specifically target seniors.
Presenters: Katie Carruesco, Targeted Outreach Specialist, California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, and staff member of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Filing a Format Complaint – the Right to Quality Health Care
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10am PT – Register Today!
Presenters: Bryan Fischer, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Livanta, and staff member of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Help with Medicare-Covered Care or Services – Resolving Issues and Problems through Immediate Advocacy – Register Today!
Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 10am PT
Presenters: Bryan Fischer, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Livanta, and staff member of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Hospital Observation vs In-Patient – What’s the Difference?
Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10am PT
Presenters: Patricia Blaisdell, Vice President, California Hospital Association and staff member of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
WEBINAR ARCHIVES
Medicare Plans & Marketing Misconduct – What Plans Can & Can NOT Do
Thursday, September 26, 2024 » Note: no recording available due to CMS policy
This webinar will review Medicare & Marketplace changes for Open Enrollment 2025, along with a detailed lesson on existing and new marketing guidelines. You’ll also learn the ways health plans may or may not market their plans, and red flags to watch for regarding marketing misconduct and enrollment fraud.
Presenter: Jienelle Herndon, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
“But I’m not ready!” – Appealing a Discharge or Termination of Covered Services
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 » View Webinar » Slides: Livanta and SMP
Medicare patients and their caregivers have the legal right to challenge a hospital discharge notice or other notice that Medicare-covered services are being terminated. As a Medicare Beneficiary and Family Centered Care – Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO), Livanta receives thousands of appeals each year from patients or their caregivers when they are faced with a transition to a lower level of care that they believe is not appropriate or when they believe their medical condition is not stable enough to be discharged.
This webinar dives into the details of one’s appeal rights and describes what patients and families can expect when calling Livanta to appeal a discharge or termination of services. This webinar will help you know what to do and where to turn if you or a loved one says, “But I’m not ready!”
Our California SMP staff also includes an update on Medicare fraud. This course is good for beneficiaries, family members and advocates.
Presenters: Bryan Fischer, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Livanta, and Rose Morales, Senior Fraud Investigative Analyst, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
COBRA: The Silent Predator Targeting Your Medicare Benefit
Thursday, July 25, 2024 » View Webinar » Slides » Handout » Questions & Answers
If you are eligible for Medicare, regardless of whether you signed up for it, COBRA can bite you! And it can potentially bring on significant financial hardship. 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 are working and eligible for Medicare are very different when you stop working and are on COBRA.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how becoming eligible for Medicare affects your employer’s health benefits, and how your Medicare eligibility can upend your COBRA benefits after you stop working.
Presenters: Bonnie Burns, Training and Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates, and Rose Morales, SMP Fraud Investigative Analyst, California Health Advocates/SMP
Health Care Advocacy and the Important Role Quality Improvement Organizations Play for YOU
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 » View Webinar » View Slides: SMP slides, Livanta slides
Do you know what a Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) is? They play an important role in your health care advocacy, especially in hospital discharge and service termination appeals and quality of care complaints. Come join our webinar to learn about Livanta, California’s QIO, and how patients and families can better understand their Medicare rights, become empowered to successfully navigate the healthcare system, and access Livanta’s services through its Medicare Helpline.
Our California SMP staff also include an update on Medicare fraud. This course is good for beneficiaries, family members and advocates.
Presenters: Bryan Fischer, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Livanta, and Tatiana Fassieux, Education & Training Specialist, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Veterans Benefits & Other Health Insurance – How Do They Coordinate with Medicare?
Thursday, May 23, 2024 » (NOTE: Due to CMS policy, this webinar was not recorded)
This informative 1-hour+ presentation focuses on Medicare’s “Coordination of Benefits” with other forms of health insurance, including Veterans benefits. If you have coverage through Veterans Affairs, can you use your Medicare? How do they work together? Get these and other questions answered and gain valuable insights into navigating the intricacies of multiple insurance plans effectively. Learn more about coordination of benefits with Medicare to determine your respective payment responsibilities as it relates to health care services and/or prescription drug coverage. California Senior Medicare Patrol’s Fraud Investigative Analyst, Rose Morales, also gives an update on new Medicare scams.
Presenters: Jienelle Herndon, Health Insurance Specialist, Office of Program Operations and Local Engagement (OPOLE) with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Rose Morales, Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud Investigative Analyst with California Health Advocates
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Are They Right for You?
Thursday, March 28, 2024 » View Webinar » View Slides, Q&A document
This webinar is a “conversation” about Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and how they work with Medi-Cal. We discuss the basics of D-SNP eligibility, and appropriateness for certain Medicare beneficiaries. We also provide an opportunity for attendees to tell their stories on how and why they enrolled in the D-SNP. Have they had any problems accessing care or services? What has worked and what hasn’t?
Presenter: Tatiana Fassieux, Education and Training Specialist, California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol
Who Will Pay for Your Long Term Care? A Personal and Public Dilemma
Thursday, February 22, 2024 » View Webinar » View Slides: Bonnie’s slides, SMP slides
In this webinar, Bonnie Burns reviews what long term care is, how it is paid for today and who needs it. She discusses the effect of long-term care on caregivers, and how states will cope with the growing numbers of people needing such care. Rose Morales with California SMP also provides a fraud update.
Presenters: Bonnie Burns, Training and Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates, and Rose Morales, Fraud Investigative Analyst, California Health Advocates and Senior Medicare Patrol
Medicare Enrollment Deep Dive: A Review of the 2023 Annual Enrollment Period
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 » View Webinar » View Slides
In this webinar, staff from the Center for Medicare Advocacy discuss the recent Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) during which people made choices about their Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage.
What was the experience of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and others assisting beneficiaries? Did you encounter misleading plan marketing or other misconduct? Did new marketing rules make an impact? Are there any lessons learned to share with the Medicare program and to use for the next AEP? The program also includes a Medicare fraud update from our California Health Advocates SMP team.
Medicare Hospice Benefit. What it is, and is not. Don’t Fall for the “sales pitch”!
Thursday, November 16, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides, Sample Questions for Hospices, Q&A » View Survey
Presenter: Sheila Clark, President and CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap: I’m Confused!
October 26, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Turn any confusion into clarity as you learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage and supplement insurance (Medigap) that fills the gaps in Original Medicare. Also, learn the difference between retiree coverage and other forms of health benefits, and how to get a Medigap after losing other coverage.
Presenter: Bonnie Burns, Training & Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period & Updates & Concerns for 2024
October 11, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this webinar discusses common issues and concerns around the Medicare Annual Enrollment period, including Marketing issues, changes for 2024, coverage choices, cautions for those enrolling or changing their coverage options, and more.
Presenter: David Lipschutz, Associate Director with Center for Medicare Advocacy, and Tatiana Fassieux, Education & Training Specialist with California Health Advocates SMP
California’s Caregiver Resource Centers – Support Wherever You Are
June 22, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this presentation will review the wealth of resources available to caregivers and families through the statewide network of California’s Caregiver Resource Centers.
Presenter: Carmen Estrada, Inland Caregiver Resource Center
Voices of Medicare – Pressing Beneficiary Issues
May 25, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this presentation examines real stories of current Medicare issues told by our advocates, as well as including real stories of Medicare fraud from the SMP.
Presenters: Judy Stein, Kathy Holt and David Lipschutz, Center for Medicare Advocacy; and Catherina Isidro and Tatiana Fassieux, California Health Advocates/SMP
Medicare Hospice Benefit & What It’s Not
April 27, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this webinar review what’s covered under Medicare’s hospice benefit and highlights what’s not. Learn about current hospice fraud trends in California and how to prevent and detect it.
Presenter: Sheila Clark, President and CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage and Updates
March 23, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this presentation will address Medicare skilled nursing facility coverage, quality and more, and will also include an SMP fraud update.
Presenters: Toby Edelman, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Catherina Isidro, California Health Advocates/SMP, Tatiana Fassieux, California Health Advocates/SMP
Medicare Home Health Coverage and Updates
February 23, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this presentation will review the services the Medicare home health benefit covers, including skilled nursing; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; medical social services; and home health aides. It will also include an SMP fraud update.
Presenters: Judy Stein, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Kathy Holt, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Catherina Isidro, California Health Advocates/SMP, Tatiana Fassieux, California Health Advocates/SMP
Help Available for Lower Income Beneficiaries
January 19, 2023 » View Webinar » View Slides
Sponsored by California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, this presentation discussed programs that can help low income Medicare beneficiaries, and included an SMP fraud update.
Presenters: David Lipschutz, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Kathy Holt, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Catherina Isidro, California Health Advocates/SMP, Tatiana Fassieux, California Health Advocates/SMP
Medicare Advantage Overview & Concerns
November 17, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides
This webinar addresses Medicare Advantage issues and concerns, and include an SMP fraud update.
Presenters: David Lipschutz, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Marissa Whitehouse, Administration for Community Living, Catherina Isidro, California Health Advocates/SMP
Medicare 2023 – What the Future Holds
October 28, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides
This webinar, presented by Tatiana Fassieux, our Education and Training Specialist, includes information on:
- Basic changes in Medicare in 2023, including changes introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA)
- Medicare 2023 costs and enrollment periods
- Options available to beneficiaries in non-renewing plans
- Basic information about the 2023 plan landscape
- Situations that allow for a Special Election Period (SEP) for Part D and Medigap guarantee issue rights
- Medi-Cal changes in 2023, including CalAIM related changes
- How to protect yourself from enrollment scams and deceptive marketing scams
Understanding the Medicare Hospice Benefits
September 22, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides
This webinar goes over:
- What hospice is and what it is not
- How to access the hospice benefit
- Avoid being a victim of hospice fraud
Presenter: Sheila Clark, President and CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Medicare Updates and Coverage Information Related to COVID 19
August 25, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: SMP slides; ACL slides; CMS slides; Federal Trade Commission Alert on Free COVID Test Scam
Learn from senior officials from HHS, CMS and ACL about their departments’ priorities and initiatives, resources to share and Medicare coverage.
Presenters: Peter Bauer, SHIP Liaison, CMS Region 9; Sharon Yee, Local Engagement and Administration, CMS Region 9; and Faye Gordon, Regional Administrator, ACL Region 9
Medicare Fraud and How to Protect Your Benefits
August 23, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: SMP slide; CMS slides
Join us to learn about the basic structure of the government’s anti-fraud activities, including agencies involved, resources etc. You’ll learn about healthcare fraud identification, prevention and investigation including results of recent national/ regional/ local cases – sentencing and recoveries. We will also review current and past trends, technological developments and priorities.
Presenter: Brent Person- Investigations, Medicare Program Integrity, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Residents’ Rights
June 23, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: SMP slides; CANHR slides; Outline of Nursing Home Residents’ Rights; Transfer and Discharge Rights; Arbitration Agreement Page; The Epidemic in Nursing Home Evictions Fact Sheet; COVID Visitation Rights Fact Sheet; and Spousal Impoverishment Protections.
Learn about nursing home residents’ rights, including rights regarding transfer, discharge and evictions, bed holds, visitation, complaint rights, and where to file a complaint.
Presenter: Jaclyn Flores, Consumer and Policy Advocate, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Weapons of Fraud
May 26, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: SMP slide; Professor Pratkanis’ slides; Weapons of Fraud video by AARP; tips on fighting fraud handout
How do fraud criminals work their crimes? While victims of fraud crimes come in all shapes and sizes, we all share one thing in common – the ability to be persuaded by appeals to our human nature. Research consistently shows that anyone can be the victim of a fraud crime.
This presentation dissects how fraud criminals use social influence as the weapon in their crime by describing common influence tactics used in a variety of frauds and how pitches are tailored to maximize impact. Most importantly, we use this analysis to identify intervention points for fraud prevention.
Presenter: Professor Emeritus Anthony Pratkanis, UC Santa Cruz
Medicare Home Health & DME Updates
April 28, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: presenters slides
Presenters: Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director, attorney Judith Stein, Associate Director, attorney Kathleen Holt, and SMP Outreach Specialist & Case Manager Sandy Morales
Understanding the Medicare Hospice Benefit
March 24, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides and Materials: presenter slides, Medicare hospice benefits CMS publication, Chat questions, more Q&A
Learn what hospice is and isn’t and how to access this benefit.
Presenter: Sheila Clark, President and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Anatomy of a Scam with a Focus on Recovery – I’ve been scammed! Now what do I do?
February 24, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides: Anatomy of a Scam, SMP slides, Fraud & Abuse Recovery Guide and How to Spot Fraud & Report It
While scams may vary, the anatomy is the same. This webinar discusses common elements and red flags of scams and the growing issue of financial crimes targeting older adults.
Presenters:
Kelli Morris, Director of the Council on Aging – Southern California’s Senior Protection Program and Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST)
Karen Rossi, Senior Protection Program and FAST
Sandy Morales, Senior Medicare Patrol Outreach Specialist & Case Manager
Medicare & Healthcare Updates
January 27, 2022 » View Webinar » View Slides
In this webinar, we examine what’s happening in the Medicare and related health care world, including impacts of COVID-19, from the perspective of beneficiary advocates. This includes a discussion of Medicaid waivers.
Presenters: Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney David Lipschutz, Policy Attorney Kata Kertesz, and SMP Outreach Specialist & Case Manager Sandy Morales
First Annual Virtual Fall Senior Symposium
November 10, 2021 » View Symposium
Learn from the experts, including Bet Tzedek Legal Staff, California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, Adult Protective Services, Center for Health Care Rights & the Dept of Financial Protection & Innovation. Topics include: your health care rights, tips to avoid scams, tools to protect yourself from financial scams, up-to-date benefit information and more. Free of charge. See flyer for more details.
Spotlight on the Medicare Savings Programs
October 28, 2021 » View Webinar » View Slides
This webinar reviews current Medicare fraud trends, shares about the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), shares how MSPs can help some California residents pay for Medicare costs, and reviews a case study to learn how MSP assistance is calculated. Presenters include: Sandy Morales, SMP Volunteer Coordinator and Case Manager, California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol; Kathleen Holt, Associate Director/Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy; and Sue A. Greeno, Medicare Advocate, Center for Medicare Advocacy.
Financial Elder Abuse: Protection Tools & Tips from the Experts
September 23, 2021 » View Webinar » View Slides
This webinar showcases innovative collaborations among federal and state advocacy organizations for protecting consumers and provides important tools and tips for the prevention of financial abuse as well as information on how to respond if you or another is a victim of financial abuse. Speakers represent the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and the California Elder Justice Coalition.
The webinar is of interest to consumers, advocates, caregivers, fraud and scams educators, elder law attorneys, public guardians, residential service coordinators, adult protective services and social workers.
Protecting Clients from Improper Medicare Marketing ~ What Advocates Need to Know
August 26, 2021 » View Webinar » View Slides
Each year during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7), people with Medicare are bombarded with mailings, TV and radio ads, and attend in-person educational events about Medicare plan choices. The Medicare program imposes limits on what agents and brokers can do and say when selling health and drug plans. In this webinar, presenters from Justice in Aging will provide information about what marketing practices are permitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and which ones are prohibited, and provide tips on what to do about marketing abuses or misrepresentations.
Health Equity and Low-Income Assistance for Medicare Beneficiaries
August 4, 2021 » View Webinar
Presenters: Sandy Morales, Senior Medicare Patrol Volunteer Coordinator and Case Manager; David Lipschutz, Associate Director with Center for Medicare Advocacy; Kata Kertesz, Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy
This webinar includes an SMP update on current fraud trends, Medicare’s historic role in equity, COVID and health disparities; equity for individuals with chronic conditions; Medicare Advantage, current Congressional debates and live Q&A.
Medicare Fraud ~ Beyond COVID-19
July 22, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: Slides
In this webinar, Sandy Morales, California Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud Case Manager, discusses current healthcare fraud trends and actual fraud cases impacting the lives and well-being of our Medicare beneficiaries.
Emergency Preparedness
June 24, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: SMP slides; Emergency Preparedness slides; list of resources; Alameda County 4 Steps to Prepare
Presenters: Sandy Morales, California Health Advocates/ Senior Medicare Patrol; Ron Halog, Independent Living Resources of Solano & Contra Costa Counties
This 1-hour training guides you on steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters, the actions you can take now, and the resources that are available to you.
Fighting Improper Billing of Individuals Dually Eligible for Medicare & Medi-Cal
May 27, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: Slides (pdf)
Presenters: Georgia Burke, Justice in Aging; Micki Nozaki, Senior Medicare Patrol
People dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal, including Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs), have special protections against charges for Medicare co-payments and co-insurance. Yet, many times dually eligible individuals in California are improperly charged for medical care and prescription drugs.
This webinar will provide a summary of what is and is not allowed by federal and state law and provide you with tools to help your clients when they have been improperly billed.
Medi-Cal Home and Community Based Services in California and CalAIM Updates
April 22, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: Slides (pdf)
Presenters: Micki Nozaki, California Senior Medicare Patrol; Claire Ramsey, Justice in Aging; Elizabeth Zirker, Disability Rights California
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) describe a wide variety of programs that provide long-term services and supports to older adults and people with disabilities enrolled in Medi-Cal to receive care in their homes and communities rather than in institutional settings like nursing homes.
This webinar, Home and Community Based Services in California, provides an overview of financial and functional eligibility for Medi-Cal HCBS programs, an overview of the type of HCBS waiver and state-based programs available in California including, for example, In-Home Supportive Services, Community-Based Adult Services, and the Home & Community-Based Alternatives Waiver; and discusses the gaps in coverage and services that lead to inequities in who has access to services in their homes and communities. We conclude the webinar with an update on California’s efforts to update its 1115 waiver and more broadly re-design the Medi-Cal program, an initiative known as CalAIM.
Medicare Hospice, Palliative Care and Fraud: Perspectives from the Experts
March 25, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: SMP slides, Sheila Clark’s slides, and Judy Thomas’ slides
Presenters: Sheila Clark, CHPCA, President, CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association; Judy Thomas, JD, CEO, Coalition for Compassionate Care of California; and Sandy Morales, Fraud Case Manager, California Health Advocates, Senior Medicare Patrol
Livanta: Appealing a Discharge or Termination of Covered Services
January 20, 2021 » View Webinar » View Material: Slides
Presenter: Bryan Fischer, Communications Lead, Livanta LLC
Medicare patients and their caregivers have the legal right to challenge a hospital discharge notice or other notice that Medicare-covered services are being terminated. As a Medicare Beneficiary and Family Centered Care – Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO), Livanta receives thousands of appeals each year from patients or their caregivers when they are faced with a transition to a lower level of care that they believe is not appropriate or when they believe their medical condition is not stable enough to be discharged.
This course is a follow up to the introductory program about Livanta’s services for Medicare beneficiaries. Presenters discuss appeal rights in detail and describe what patients and families can expect when they call Livanta and begin the case review process.
Livanta: Immediate Advocacy
November 19, 2020 » View Webinar » Webinar Material: slides
Presenter: Bryan Fischer, Communications Lead, Livanta LLC
Marketing Misconduct in the Sale of Medicare Advantage Plans for AEP 2021
August 27, 2020 » View Webinar » Webinar Materials: slides
Presenter: Julie Lowrie, SMP Outreach Specialist
Learn about current and anticipated marketing misconduct schemes in the sale of Medicare Advantage Plans to beneficiaries. Will electronic marketing campaigns and promotions expose Medicare beneficiaries to a greater risk of unrelated fraudulent conduct?
Julie Lowrie, our SMP Outreach Specialist, reviews the relevant CMS Communications and Marketing Guidelines, focusing on what to look for when marketing misconduct occurs, and how to report to potential abuse to SMP.
Why Everyone Needs an Advance Health Care Directive & a Power of Attorney
August 12, 2020 at 11 a.m. PDT
California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol is pleased to announce Consumer Protection and Elder Justice, a new series of workshops in collaboration with the Elder Law & Disability Rights Center. The first webinar will define and discuss the need for advance health directives and POAs.
Back by Popular Demand: COVID Scams & Healthcare Fraud – Updated with New Information!
July 13, 2020 » View Webinar » Webinar Materials: slides; tip sheet
- How to spot the scammers
- What offers to beware of
- How to identify Medicare fraud schemes
- Where to report fraud
Avoiding Coronavirus Scams: Tips from the FTC & National Center on Elder Abuse
June 25, 2020 » View Webinar » View Slides: SMP slides; FTC slides; NCEA slides
Scammers follow the headlines. They are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus to steal consumers’ money and person information. Join us to learn how to spot, avoid, and report Coronavirus scams. FTC staff will share information on false health claims, robocalls, stimulus check scams, debt and credit scams, and other concerns that you can share with your community and those you serve.
Our second special presentation will be on Elder Abuse 101 and COVID-19 tips with Julie Schoen from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
Health Care Rights for Older Adults During COVID-19
May 28, 2020 » View Webinar » View Slides
Older adults and people with disabilities are one of the populations most susceptible to both COVID-19 and the effects of related physical distancing mandates. Many advocates and other service providers working with older adults may have questions about the rights of older adults and the impact of COVID-19 and related relief measures on healthcare.
This free webinar, co-organized by Justice in Aging and California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol, will discuss health care rights under Medicare and Medi-Cal for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased flexibilities and requirements for Medicare Advantage, Part D and Cal MediConnect plans, the moratorium on Medi-Cal negative actions, special enrollment periods under Medicare, the impact of relief efforts on Medi-Cal benefits, and more.
COVID Scams & Healthcare Fraud ~ English & Spanish version
- May 11, 2020 » View Webinar » Webinar Slides
- May 21, 2020 » View Webinar (Spanish) (will be posted soon)
Presenters: Micki Nozaki, Project Director, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), and for the Spanish version, Sandy Morales, SMP Volunteer Coordinator and Case Manager with California SMP.
These are troubling times and the robocallers and COVID scammers are out in full force. So tune in to our California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol free webinars on COVID-19 SCAMS and Healthcare Fraud to learn:
- How to spot the scammers
- What offers to beware of
- How to identify Medicare fraud schemes
- Where to report fraud
Stress! It’s Today’s Norm ~ Learn Tools to Reduce Stress
April 23, 2020 » View Webinar » Webinar Slides: SMP slides, Reduce Stress slides, EFT chart, Tapping Stress Reduction handout
Are these unprecedented times causing you to feel anxious, unsettled, afraid? You are not alone!
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to face challenges that we didn’t prepare for. We lost the freedom to go and do the way we used to. Our daily lives have been upended. Even our pets feel uneasy.
Some help is on the way. In this webinar, Carolyn Cahn, RN and certified occupational health nurse, helps you:
- Understand the causes of your stress
- Identify ways to reduce your stress
- Know when to seek help
Medicare in the Light of COVID-19
March 26, 2020 » View Webinar (TBA) » Webinar Materials: Slides
Learn about the most recent COVID-19 fraud schemes and how to protect yourself with updates from both Eric Panicucci, with the Office of Inspector General, and Sandy Morales, with California Senior Medicare Patrol. Then Kathy Holt and Toby Edelman, Attorneys with the Centers for Medicare Advocacy, provide an plethora of Medicare updates regarding COVID-19, including general Medicare coverage and issues, and updates regarding beneficiaries in hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs).
This webinar is a collaboration with California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol and Center for Medicare Advocacy Associate Director, Attorney Kathleen Holt and Center Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman.
Prescription Drugs for Limited Income Beneficiaries AND Medicare Fraud: What the Investigators Are Investigating
February 27, 2020 » View Webinar (note: start at the 9 minute marker) » Webinar Materials: LINET slides, Qlarant slides, SMP slides
Kell Dixon, with Humana will present on Medicare’s limited Income NET program (LINET). LINET is a nationwide Medicare demonstration program which provides prescription drug coverage for low income Medicare beneficiaries who do not have prescription coverage. California is the largest enrollment state for LINET.Ryan Dorsey, Health Fraud Investigator with Qlarant will present on current fraud cases. Qlarant is Medicare’s Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC) to detect, prevent, and proactively deter fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
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Learn How Medicare Fraud Affects Your Health & What the Current Fraud Trends Are
February 26, 2020 » View Webinar » View Materials: TBA
Presenters: Linda Williams, Community Outreach and Training Manager, Consumer Action; and Micki Nozaki, California SMP Director, California Health Advocates
As the debate around “Medicare for All” takes center stage, Medicare and its more than 60 million beneficiaries are under attack from an army of scammers eager to pillage the program, costing the program billions of dollars a year. AARP reports that each year roughly 10 cents of every dollar budgeted for Medicare is stolen or misdirected. Just last year, the Department of Justice indicted 35 people across the country on charges of fraudulently billing Medicare for more than $2.1 billion.
In this webinar, Consumer Action’s Community Outreach and Training Manager, Linda Williams, and guest speaker Micki Nozaki, Director of the California Senior Medicare Patrol Project at California Health Advocates, discuss how to stop Medicare fraud.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- What changes are coming to Medicare in 2020
- How Medicare fraud jeopardizes the health and welfare of older adults and people with disabilities
- What the current health care fraud trends are across the country
- How Medicare beneficiaries bear the cost of fraud through higher deductibles and copayments
- How senior advocates can protect clients and consumers from Medicare fraud
View Webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/
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Preventing Workplace Violence & Active Shooters in a Healthcare Environment
January 23, 2020 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides; Caroline Ramsey-Hamilton’s slides
Presenters: Caroline Ramsey-Hamilton, Certified Homeland Security Level III; Sandy Morales, Case and Volunteer Manager, CA Senior Medicare Patrol
Workplace Violence and Active Shooters in a Healthcare Environment is one of SMP’s newest topics of discussion. In this webinar, Caroline Ramsey Hamilton of Risk & Security LLC will cover the kinds of Active Shooter and Workplace Violence incidents that occurred in 2019 and, using the latest data from the FBI, Secret Service, and other sources, will forecast what kind of incidents we can expect in 2020. Ms.Ramsey Hamilton will also cover the cost of these incidents to hospitals and other kinds of healthcare organizations, and why lawsuits after the incidents are increasing.
We’ll also review the new State Laws that require special protections against Workplace Violence from all 50 states.
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How to Prevent Hospice Fraud
October 24, 2019 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides; Judy Thomas’ slides; Sheila Clark’s slides; hospice infographic
Presenters: Sheila Clark, CAE, President and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care Association; Judy Thomas, JD, President and CEO Coalition for Compassionate Care of California; Sandy Morales, Case and Volunteer Manager, CA Senior Medicare Patrol
Lawmakers have implemented new regulations against fraud, waste, and abuse of hospice patients. This webinar for Medicare advocates will discuss new hospice enrollment disclosure and transparency laws.
Join us to learn about palliative care and hospice and why and how they are different. We discuss how to identify good hospice providers and be vigilant during the period of care. Learn the questions to ask to avoid, detect and report healthcare fraud when seniors enroll in a hospice program.
Medicare Updates 2020
October 7, 2019 » Recording available for purchase » Buy today!
Presenters: Tatiana Fassieux, Training Specialist, California Health Advocates
Join us for a comprehensive webinar on Medicare Updates for 2020. Our presenter, Tatiana Fassieux, will cover the following:
- Stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in 2020
- Landscape of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in 2020
- Changes in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D
- What’s new for people with Extra Help/LIS
- Information about Medicare’s premiums and cost sharing for 2020
- Beneficiary Options
Webinar Recording Fee:
- $45 per site for CHA Members (Membership will be verified)
- $55 per site for General Public
Recording available for purchase
The Good, Bad & Ugly? Revisions to the CMS Medicare Advantage & Part D Marketing Guidelines
September 26, 2019 » View Materials: SMP slides; Julie Lowrie’s slides; David Lipschutz’ slides
Presenters: Julie Lowrie, SMP Specialist, California Senior Medicare Patrol, and David Lipschutz, Associate Director and Senior Policy Attorney
Learn from the experts about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) revisions to the Medicare Advantage Communication and Marketing Guidelines, and how they may impact the nature and type of marketing activity this AEP 2020.
Julie Lowrie, SMP, Outreach Specialist will explain the guidelines revisions, compare old and new, focus on what to look for when marketing misconduct occurs, how to report to potential abuse to SMP. David Lipschutz, Associate Director and Senior Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy will have an advocate’s perspective on the marketing guidelines.
Genetic Testing/Cancer Screening Medicare Fraud
June 27, 2019 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides, Genetic testing fraud slides
Presenters: Steve Mahmood, Special Investigator, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Maureen Kerrigan, National SMP Liaison for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Genetic Testing / Cancer Screening and other types of Medicare Fraud – they’re all spiking! Are you CONCERNED, CONFUSED or just CONFOUNDED? Well, in this California SMP educational webinar you’ll learn what fraud trends OIG is investigating and how they use the case information received from us.
Updates on Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies
June 12, 2019 » View Webinar
Presenters: Center for Medicare Advocacy Associate Director, attorney Kathleen Holt, with special guest, Senior Medicare Patrol Project Director Micki Nozaki of California Health Advocates.
This presentation discusses Medicare coverage of DMEPOS, as well as looks at the process for obtaining and maintaining proper access to necessary equipment and supplies, including cautions for beneficiaries.
Center for Medicare Advocacy conducted this webinar in partnership and with California Health Advocates, Senior Medicare Patrol.
Medicare Tips for Low-Income Beneficiaries
May 23, 2019 » View Webinar » View Slides
Presenters:
- Sandy Morales, Case Manager, Senior Medicare Patrol
- Denny Chan, Senior Staff Attorney, Justice in Aging
Did you know that if a Medicare beneficiary qualifies for just one month of Medi-Cal, they can eliminate their Part D enrollment penalty and start with a clean slate? Or that if a beneficiary receives extra help with paying for Part D prescription drugs, they can ask for a $10/month repayment plan for overpayments that may be assessed by the Social Security Administration?
Low-income Medicare beneficiaries have specific rights and protections under state and federal laws, but these rules are complicated and many beneficiaries and advocates are not aware of them. This webinar focuses on providing advocates and other providers who work with low-income Medicare beneficiaries a summary of these protections and useful tips to help beneficiaries make Medicare work for them.
Justice in Aging conducted this webinar in partnership and with support from California Health Advocates, Senior Medicare Patrol, and begins with an update on recent beneficiary scams and fraud trends.
Working with LBGTQI Individuals
March 28, 2019 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides, OC ACCEPT slides
Presenter: Marco Ramirez, LMFT
Enjoy this informative webinar with Marco Ramirez of the Orange County Health Care Agency ACCEPT Program.
Mr. Ramirez helps you recognize and define common terms used within the LGBTQI community, better understand some of the mental health needs of the LGBTQI Community, discusses Cass’s 6 stages of identity development model and identifies ways to be an LGBTQI+ ally.
Here’s the links to the videos played in the webinar:
Aging as LGBT: Two Stories (Very good idea of how Older LBGITQ+ individuals lives are effected as they age) https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Mitu – Coming Out (This one has one or two strong words but aside from that it’s very effective)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Love is Love (closing video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics Supplies (DMEPOS) Webinar
February 28, 2019 »View Webinar » View Materials: Noridian DME slides, DME Orthotics Telemarketing slides, What Suppliers Need to Know for DMEPOS Orders slides
Presenters:
- Tangita Daramola, CMS/CAO-Competitive Bidding & the Temporary Gap
- Cindy White, Noridian-MLN Article (Clarification on Documentation Requirements)
- Lawrence Ball, CMS/CPI- DME Orthotic Telemarketing
- CMS and SMP Discussion: Responding to Beneficiary Complaints
In this webinar, you’ll learn about the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) program, the DMEPOS gap and partake in a a robust discussion with Medicare about helping victims of DME fraud.
Medicare and Dual Eligibles 2019 Update
January 24, 2019 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides, JiA slides
- Presenter: Georgia Burke, Directing Attorney, Justice in Aging
In this webinar, Georgia Burke, Directing Attorney with Justice in Aging addresses the following topics:
- Changes in Special Enrollment Period for LIS/Duals
- Supplemental Benefit Changes in Medicare Advantage
- Opioid Lock-Ins
- Language Access Improvements
- QMB improvements update
- Default Enrollment and D-SNP’s
Medicare Updates 2019
October 25, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials
- Presenter: Tatiana Fassieux, Training Specialist, California Health Advocates
In this webinar, Tatiana Fassieux, Training Specialist of California Health Advocates, provides Medicare Updates for 2019. She:
- Shares the 2019 Medicare Premiums & Deductibles
- Identifies Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Lists options available to beneficiaries in non-renewing plans
- Reviews basic information about 2019 plan landscape
- Identifies situations that allow a SEP and/or guaranteed issue period
- Highlights changes and limitations for Duals/LIS program
- Reviews more fraud prevention tools
- Lists resources for more information.
Veterans Fraud & Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
September 27, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides, Veteran’s Benefits Protection Program slides, Ombudsman slides
Presenters:
- Shawna Reeves, MSW, Director of Elder Abuse Prevention, Institute on Aging
- Neil Granger, Consultant, veteran in the life and disability insurance industry
- Libby Anderson, Director, Ombudsman Program at the Council on Aging, Southern California
In this informative webinar, Shawna Reeves of the Elder Abuse Prevention at the Institute on Aging, speaks about the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit and the scammers who exploit it for their own gain. After viewing it, you will be able to spot an Aid and Attendance scam and know where to refer an older veteran who has fallen victim to one. You will also learn where to send older veterans who would like to explore — for free — whether they might qualify for veterans benefits. Finally, you will learn about the innovative Veterans Benefits Protection Project in San Francisco. Neil Granger, a veteran in the life and disability insurance industry, also joins Ms. Reeves.
In addition, Libby Anderson of the Long Term Care Ombudsman program at the Council on Aging Southern California speaks about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a state mandated program that provides advocacy for those residents of skilled nursing and residential care facilities.
Avoid Financial Scams: Dept of Business Oversight & Dept of Real Estate
August 23, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides, CA Dept of Business Oversight slides, Dept of Real Estate slides
- Katie Carruesco, Northern California Education & Outreach Specialist, Department of Business Oversight
- Antonio Chavez, Special Investigator, California Department of Real Estate
In this informative webinar, Katie Carruesco of the Department of Business Oversight and Antonio Chavez of the Dept. of Real Estate, present on common scams and their consumer assistance efforts.
Medicare Part D: Better Understanding the Nuances of the Prescription Drug Benefit
July 26, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides & Dr. Patel’s Part D slides
- Rajul A. Patel, Pharm.D., PhD, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Pacific School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
- Sandy Morales, SMP Manager of Outreach and Volunteer Coordination, California Health Advocates
In this informative webinar, Dr. Rajul A. Patel, Pharm.D., Ph.D. of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at University of the Pacific covers the following topics:
- Medicare Part B vs. Part D coverage of prescription drugs
- Overview of Pharmacy Networks and how PBMs work
- Tiering, cost-sharing ceilings, specialty tier drugs
- 2019 Standard Part D Benefit
Sandy Morales of California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) provides a brief SMP Overview before the main presentation.
Financial Exploitation & Medicare Fraud
July 18, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials
Presenters:
- Micki Nozaki, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol, California Health Advocates
- Georgia Burke, Directing Attorney, Justice in Aging
Medicare fraud hurts individuals and is harmful to the Medicare Trust Fund. The Medicare Trust fund loses between $60 and $90 billion dollars every year to fraud, waste and abuse. Individuals can lose access to Medicare services because their identity has been misappropriated by someone else. Law and aging advocates play an important role in helping older adults prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud and abuse.
In this webcast, Financial Exploitation and Medicare Fraud, California’s Senior Medicare Patrol teaches advocates how to identify potential Medicare scams and report fraud and abuse to the Senior Medicare Patrol. Justice in Aging highlights potential exploitive Medicare practices and outlines strategies to help prevent exploitation.
Scams & Fraud in the US Mail
June 28, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP slides; Main Presentation slides with Lisa Mayberry; SSA slides
- Lisa Mayberry, US Postal Inspector, Supervisor for Mail Fraud Teams in Santa Ana and Long Beach, CA
Learn about scams in the mail. Our featured presenter is Lisa Mayberry, a supervisor with the US Postal Inspection Service. Find out what kinds of scams they investigate, how they receive referrals and the challenges and needs they see in working with older and other vulnerable adult victims and families, harmed in scams by financial predators.
We also have an informative update from Jeffrey Rodriguez with the Social Security Administration. Mr. Rodriguez shares some updates about the SSA and discuss the mailing of the new Medicare cards. And as always, Sandy Morales from the Senior Medicare Patrol shares healthcare fraud trends with us.
Criminals Diagnose Dementia Faster than Doctors Do
May 24, 2018 » View Webinar » View materials: SMP slides & Dr. Landsverk’s slides
- Presenter: Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., Geriatrician and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Stanford University
Geriatrician Elizabeth Landsverk, MD outlines the importance of identifying dementia early, how it is diagnosed, and what behaviors indicate that there may be a problem. Dr. Landsverk will also discuss the issues of ‘capacity’, along with the common abusers, frauds and scams. How do criminals know whom to choose? She shares case studies from her practice, along with her suggestions as a medical doctor specializing in treating elders with various forms of cognitive decline.
Financial Frauds Targeting Seniors ~ What We Can Do: California Department of Business Oversight
March 22, 2018 » View Webinar » View materials
- Presenter: Katie Carruesco, Northern California Education & Outreach Specialist, Department of Business Oversight
This webinar, presented by the California Department of Business Oversight, provides financial education resources to help keep seniors stay informed of smart financial tips, emerging financial trends and how to protect themselves from financial fraud and scams.
Medicare’s 2018 Premium
February 22, 2018 » View Webinar » View materials: participant slides, pre-test questions, pre-test answers, historical COLAs & premiums
- Presenter: Diane Caradeuc, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Liaison
SSA gave beneficiaries a 2% Cost of Living increase (COLA) this year. This should mean that all beneficiaries are paying the same standard amount for their Part B premium. But due to various legislative acts, the standard premiums in 2018 could vary greatly.
The presentation covers some of the history of Medicare premiums which result in today’s variation of premiums. It covers the hold harmless provision and how it will be used, even when there is a 2% COLA. The presentation also covers other laws and actions and how they also affect the monthly Medicare premium in 2018. This should provide the tools to explain to a beneficiary why their Part B Medicare premium is different than their friends.
Meet the Medical Board of California
January 25, 2018 » View Webinar » View Materials: SMP & Medical Board of California (PDF)
- Presenter: Kimberly Kirchmeyer, Executive Director of the Medical Board of California
Have you seen a listing of sanctioned providers lately? What if you see your doctor listed? How do complaints get referred to the Medical Board? What type of complaints are received?
This informative webinar with Kimberly Kirchmeyer, Executive Director of the Medical Board of California will answer all of your questions.
The presentation provides information about laws regulating medical providers, enforcement and violations.
Medicare Part D and the Details You Need to Know to Assist Beneficiaries
Do you work with Medicare beneficiares? If so, you don’t miss out on this webinar recording on Medicare Part D and the Details You Need to Know to Assist Beneficiaries, presented by Rajul Patel, Pharm D with University of the Pacific. We are offering this for a limited time for $25!
You can access the webinar here.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the CA Board of Pharmacy
August 24, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
- Presenter: Virginia Herold, Executive Officer of the California State Board of Pharmacy
In this informative webinar, Virginia Herold, Executive Officer of the California State Board of Pharmacy explains the role of the Board of Pharmacy and who they regulate. She’ll discuss the types of pharmacy fraud they have dealt with including drug diversion, pill mills, doctor shopping, and why prescription review for contraindications is important.
Learn How the FAST Protects Seniors from Elder Abuse
July 27, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
Presenters: Kelli Morris, JD, Director of the Council on Aging’s Southern California’s Senior Protection Program and Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST); and Sandy Morales, SMP Manager of Outreach & Volunteer Coordination at California Health Advocates
In this webinar, Kelli Morris, JD, Director of the Senior Protection Program and Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) at the Council on Aging Southern California, covers:
- How to direct a successful FAST program
- Fraud trends – Processes and Protocols
- Tough cases
Afterwards, Sandy Morales, SMP Manager of Outreach & Volunteer Coordination, jumps into SMP Business including SMP healthcare fraud trends.
Ransomware and Western Union Consumer Protection
June 22, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
- Presenters: Michael J. Corby, IT Consultant, and John Skoglund III, Senior Manager, Fraud Risk Management at Western Union
This archived webinar includes 2 informative presentations on how to avoid being a victim of ransomware followed by a presentation on the Western Union Consumer Protection Program.
Ransomeware is rampant across the internet and organizations are paying the criminal hackers who are holding their critical information hostage. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that blocks access to the victim’s data or threatens to publish or delete it until ransom is paid.
Western Union takes consumer protection seriously and has a comprehensive program that deters fraudsters and helps protect consumers from fraud. This session includes an overview of the Western Union Consumer Protection Program.
More Than Just a Band-Aid: Learn About the Better Business Bureau
May 25, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
- Connie Alarcon, Manager, Bakersfield division of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
This webinar covers information about who and what is the Better Business Bureau (BBB); how we can best utilize the BBB in our everyday tasks, types of complaints we can file with the BBB and information on how to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, abuse, and errors. Connie Alarcon also dives into the latest scams that are happening all around us.
Recruiting, Training & Working with Hispanic Volunteers
March 30, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
- Maria Eugenia Hernandez-Lane, Vice President, National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)
Maria Eugenia Hernandez-Lane, Vice President of National Hispanic Council on Aging, provides an an informative webinar on how to recruit, train and work with Hispanic volunteers.
Providing LGBT Older Adult Resources and Outreach
February 23, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
- Sherrill Wayland, MSW, Manager of National Projects at Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)
Sherrill Wayland, Manager of National Projects at Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), provides an overview of findings from the 2014 Out and Visible Survey. She also shares of many resources available in support of LGBT older adults including fact sheets developed for SMP/SHIP programs, best practice guides available through SAGE’s National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, SAGENet Affiliate Programs, the SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline and LGBT National Housing Initiative and the SAGECare Training Program. This webinar gives valuable resources you can use each day in outreach and service to LGBT older adults.
Sandy Morales, Manager of SMP Outreach & Volunteer Coordination, also starts off the webinar with an overview of current Medicare fraud trends.
January 26, 2017 » View Webinar » View Materials (PDF)
This archived webinar provides an overview of tips for working with Medicare beneficiaries under age 65. Note – a portion of this webinar was pre-recorded. The webinar includes:
1. Resources for younger Medicare beneficiaries developed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Center’s partners through the course of the Administration for Community Living grant – Kathy Holt, Associate Director/Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy.
2. Insights from the disability community about where younger Medicare beneficiaries look for information and find resources – Michael Murray, Executive Director, American Association of People with Disabilities.
3. Innovative new programs and resources developed by the Social Security Administration to improve access to services and quality of life for younger Medicare beneficiaries – Ben Belton, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Social Security Administration & Robert Pfaff, Deputy Associate Commissioner in the Office of Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support.
4. Fraud schemes, where and how to refer any potential Social Security fraud, and Section 1140 – Alex Rzasa and David Rodriguez, Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG).
5. Health Care Fraud and Abuse Quiz – 17 Questions to test your knowledge!
Medicare Changes in 2017
October 28, 2016 » Download Materials
This webinar reviews Medicare Changes in 2017. The discussion includes:
- Healthcare fraud update
- 2017 Medicare Part D cost-sharing
- Stand-alone Medicare Part D plans available in California in 2017
- Benchmark plans in 2017
- Medicare Advantage- landscape of 2017 plans
Critical Issues Facing Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
October 27, 2016 » Download Materials
This enlightening, 3-part educational webinar educates on critical issues facing seniors and persons with disabilities, including: Medical Identity Theft and Healthcare Fraud; Marketing Violations involving Medicare Advantage Plans; and the Universal Epidemic of Elder Abuse.
Presenters: Micki Nozaki, Project Director with California Senior Medicare Patrol; Julie Schoen, Deputy Director with National Center on Elder Abuse; and Julie Lowrie, Investigator with the Office of Enforcement at the California Department of Managed Health Care
Updates on DMEPOS Round 2 & National Mail Order Recompete
August 25, 2016 » Download Materials: DMEPOS CB Webinar, SMP Slides
- Phabian Barrett, Palmetto GBA
Phabian Barrett with Palmetto GBA presents on the the Round 2 Recompete and National Mail Order Recompete for the next phase of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. As in Round 2, Fee-For-Service Medicare beneficiaries residing in competitive bidding areas (CBA) must use contract suppliers to obtain their DME/diabetic testing supplies if they want Medicare to pay. With the recent release of the new Single Payment Amounts (SPAs) and the unveiling of the contract winners, this is interesting information to learn.
Ambulance Take Down
July 28, 2016 » Download Materials
- Jacob Dugger, Fraud Investigator, SafeGuard Services
Jacob Dugger, Fraud Investigations Team Lead (Zone 1) with SafeGuard Services (SGS) details the ambulance take down on providers that were transporting dialysis patients for dialysis and whether or not the transports met Medicare guidelines for transportation. He shares what qualifies a beneficiary for transportation.
Learn About Common Nursing Home Problems
June 23, 2016 » View Webinar » Download Materials
- Eric Carlson, Staff Attorney, Justice in Aging
Eric Carlson, Directing Attorney with Justice In Aging covers the many common nursing home practices that are illegal. In order to receive the best possible quality of care, a resident or resident’s family member should be familiar with the protections of the federal Nursing Home Reform Law, and understand how to use the law effectively.
Do You Know How to Access Supplies Through Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program?
Apr 28, 2016 » Download Materials
More info on: Supplier Standards & Quality Standards
- Tangita Daramola, Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Tangita Daramola reviews Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program and how to ensure access to Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics Supplies (DMEPOS).
Are You Transitioning from Covered California to Medicare?
Mar 24, 2016 » Download Materials
- Elaine Wong Eakin, Executive Director, California Health Advocates
Elaine Wong Eakin reviews the series of articles posted on this topic in our Medicare Basics section. (See 1st article, What to Do If You Have a Covered California Plan and Become Eligible for Medicare? (Part 1)).
As people with a Covered California plan turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, some are asking what they should do. Others are not aware they need to do anything, continue with their Covered California plan, and face penalties later. This webinar discusses the following questions in relation to different groups and their options.
- Must I enroll in Medicare if I have a Covered CA plan?
- What happens to my tax credits when I become eligible for Medicare?
- If I have MAGI Medi-Cal, will my costs go up when I enroll in Medicare?
Coordinated Care Initiative Updates
Feb 25, 2016 » View Webinar » Download Webinar Materials
- Amber Cutler, Staff Attorney, Justice on Aging
Amber Cutler, Staff Attorney with Justice on Aging discusses the current status of the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI), including the federally-approved dual eligible demonstration known as Cal MediConnect, that began implementation in April 2014. Topics include:
- The CCI and the 2016/17 budget
- Enrollment
- Policy changes
- Early evaluation results
The CCI is now underway in 7 counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.
Telemarketing Healthcare Fraud
JAN 28, 2016 » View Webinar » Presentation » Short Presentation
- Tracey Thomas, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection
Tracey Thomas, Attorney with the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, discusses telemarketing health care fraud, including scams involving Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, prescription discount cards, and medical discount plans. Tracey also reviews new rules and restrictions recently added to the Telemarketing Sales Rule that can provide additional protection for consumers.
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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.
