Edgewood Highlands

Aug. 7, 2013

CenterforBenefits.org: Take a video tour of our site

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.
Take the tour | Explore our site

Social Security benefits for same-sex spouses

Following 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.
Get more information

Congress proposes relief for high-cost specialty drugs under Part D

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.
Learn more

CMS imposes first Affordable Care Act enrollment moratoria to combat fraud

On 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.
See what areas are affected

How do low-income seniors perceive aging services?

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.
Get the results

Latest update on Part D in 2014

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.
See CMS’s Press Release | Download the 2014 Part D Standard Plan Cost-Sharing Chart

Register...

• Long-Term Care Commission: Learn More About it and How You Can Engage, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. ET—Register for this webinar from NCOA and the Friday Morning Collaborative.
• The Demise of DOMA: What Does It Mean? The Impact on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for Same Sex Couples, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. ET—Learn more about the future of benefits for same-sex partners in this webinar from the National Senior Citizens Law Center.

Check out these resources...

• 6 useful resources for benefits data—Find out where to seek information on benefits eligibility and enrollment.
• I am a federal retiree with federal employee health benefits (FEHB). Why should I enroll in Part B? Get the answer in this month’s My Medicare Matters Question of the Month.

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.