Aug. 7, 2013CenterforBenefits.org: Take a video tour of our site
Social Security benefits for same-sex spousesFollowing the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Social Security Administration has announced it is accepting applications from same-sex family members who believe they may be eligible for benefits. Social Security will begin to process these claims as soon as they finalize instructions for their personnel. Congress proposes relief for high-cost specialty drugs under Part D
CMS imposes first Affordable Care Act enrollment moratoria to combat fraudOn July 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced temporary moratoria on the enrollment of new home health provider and ambulance supplier enrollments in Medicare and Medicaid in three fraud “hot spot” areas of the country. Under the moratoria, existing providers and suppliers can continue to deliver and bill for services, but no new provider and supplier applications will be approved for the programs at this time. How do low-income seniors perceive aging services?
 Latest update on Part D in 2014
Register...
Check out these resources...
|
|
|
Benefits Alert is published by the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment and National Council on Aging. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to centerforbenefits@ncoa.org. The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment helps organizations enroll seniors and younger adults with disabilities with limited means into the benefits programs for which they are eligible so that they can remain healthy and improve the quality of their lives. For more information, visit www.centerforbenefits.org. |
Health Marketplace October Enrollment
|
|
|
|
|
Do you know where to find sample benefits outreach materials? Or archived versions of previous Center webinars? What about fact sheets regarding eligibility for specific benefit programs? We’ve got all that and more on the Center for Benefits’ website. Our new brief video tour walks users through the site, pointing out where you can find the information you’re looking for.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to allow Medicare Part D beneficiaries to file an exception to request lower co-pays for high-cost specialty drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. The Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act is being led by Sens. Nelson (D-FL) and Collins (R-ME) in the Senate and Reps. Johnson (D-GA), Jones (R-NC), McKinley (R-WV), and Braley (D-Iowa) in the House.
NCOA, UnitedHealthcare, and USA Today recently teamed up for our second annual United States of Aging survey, to explore perceptions of aging in our communities. A special subset of low-income and isolated seniors found these populations to have viewed the past year more negatively, though they still retain some optimism for the future.
On July 30, CMS announced the average monthly premium for a standard Part D plan is expected to be $31 in 2014 (slightly up from $30 in 2013). Learn about the other costs in Part D, as you prepare over the next two months for the upcoming annual open enrollment period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). We’ll continue to update our Part D resources as CMS makes information available.
