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Senior Advocacy Services

One agency with three programs that advocate for seniors in long term care facilities and Medicare beneficiaries who want unbiased individual help and advocacy.

Medicare

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Don’t Get Caught Saying “Oh No” when Medicare Changes in 2020!

man holding his head in his hands and saying oh no

Did you know that every year everything changes?

Oct.15 – Dec.7  is your opportunity to review upcoming changes in 2020 and decide if your coverage is still the best option related to your current health and cost changes.

There are 2 ways you can have your Medicare benefits. One way to have your Medicare healthcare is Original Medicare with 4 separate parts which would include a Part D plan and Medigap Supplemental product.  The other way you can have your Medicare healthcare is through a managed care plan called an Advantage plan.

Every year everything changes.

The projected 2020 Advantage plan premiums represent a 23 percent drop from 2018 premium levels.  CMS also noted that plan choices have multiplied. Benefits have expanded and Medicare Advantage enrollment is rising.

In the 6 county region served by our HICAP, Advantage plan choices are increasing from 19 to 37 plans in 2020.

2020 Original Medicare Part D prescription plan company choices in our region also increased from 30 to 32 plans for 2020.  Premiums, deductibles, formularies and copays for each plan have also changed for next year.

Question: Who is responsible for your healthcare?

If you’re in an Advantage plan, will your Dr. still be in our plan’s network and will additional benefits still be covered?

If you have Original Medicare with a Part D plan, will your prescriptions still be in their formulary and are you paying the lowest amount for your plan and medications?  Part D premiums next year will range from $12.80/month up to $118.40/month.

If your healthcare is your responsibility, are you meeting with HICAP to review what your options are for 2020 or are you one of those who doesn’t check then places a frantic call to us when Jan. 1st is here and you discover your physician coverage has significantly changed or certain prescriptions in the formulary are no longer covered?

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment by calling 800-434-0222 or Attend an Unbiased Seminar in your area.

HICAP is a free & unbiased service through the CA Dept. of Aging.

Our goal is to provide truly unbiased help so you can make more informed decisions about your Medicare healthcare before you step out there and deal with agents & plans.

A blog post from Senior Advocacy Services – senioradvocacyservices.org

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It’s Nearing! Annual Enrollment for Medicare

photo of woman clutching her face and looking worried  Starting in October, there is a bit of hysteria in the Medicare world. This is because the Annual Enrollment Period is nearing – and most Medicare beneficiaries believe that this is the only time when they can make any change to their coverage.

However, contrary to what many think, Annual Enrollment Period of October 15 – December 7 is actually not the only time to make changes to your Medicare coverage.Read More

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What Does Kindness Look Like? Celebrating the Valuable Work Our Volunteers Do.

Senior Advocacy Services has a long history of working with a large cadre of generous volunteers helping to advocate for and inform seniors across six counties (Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Solano, Mendocino, and Lake). Our volunteers provide tangible results and intangible qualities that not only brighten the days of our aging population but also make a direct impact on their safety and quality of life.

Ways we depend upon our Volunteers

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Beware of DNA Scam

Be advised that California Senior Medicare Patrol has seen an alarming increase in fraudulent billing where older adults are deceived into submitting to a cheek swab procedure (aka genetic testing). The scammer claims the procedure tests for cancer and/or other health-related benefits and that is fully covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal.

The scammers offer their fraudulent services to administrators at senior centers, senior residential facilities and other locations including setting up stands at supermarkets and other public locations.

We have additional reports that insurance agents and other service-oriented professionals are unknowingly recruited to serve as lead generators.

Please help us prevent the victimization of our older adults by alerting your networks to this most recent fraud scam. Please, also let us know others who would benefit from this alert.

Click to read moreMicki Nozaki, Director

California Senior Medicare Patrol

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Go paperless for your Medicare and You book

 

Missed going paperless with Medicare on Earth Day 2019? It’s not too late! Visit Medicare.gov/GoPaperless to sign up for your “Medicare & You” eHandbook.

Sign up for your eHandbook

Instead of mailing you a paper handbook every year, Medicare will send you an email each fall when the new eHandbook is available. They will also email you about any major updates to the handbook throughout the year, including cost changes.

Sign up by May 31. It’s an easy way to go green — and save Medicare paper and money!

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Smartphone Medicare App

Not sure if Medicare will cover your medical test or service? Medicare’s free “What’s covered” app delivers accurate cost and coverage information right on your smartphone.

Search or browse in the app to learn if Medicare will cover your medical test or service.  Medicare’s free “What’s covered” app delivers accurate cost and coverage information right on your smartphone.   Use the app at the doctor’s office, in the hospital, or anywhere you use your smartphone or tablet.

Get the app directly from the App Store or Google Play.

Click to read more

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Medicare’s General Enrollment Period is January 1–March 31

Missed your Initial Enrollment Period last year? If you’re eligible for Medicare, you may still be able to sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) during the General Enrollment Period.

The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31, for coverage starting July 1.  You can apply for Medicare Part A and/or Part B now if both of these apply:

  1. You didn’t sign up when you were first eligible.
  2. You aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

Visit Medicare.gov to learn more about sign up periods.

Note: In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

For individual help with Medicare details call for a HICAP appointment with a registered counselor in your community.

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Changes for Dual Eligibles and Low-Income Subsidy Recipients in California

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules that limit enrollment and
disenrollment from Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. The new rules went into effect on January 1, 2019.

Prior to 2019, dual eligibles receiving both MediCal and Medicare, as well as Low Income Subsidy (LIS)  beneficiaries, had a continuous Special Enrollment Period (SEP)–known as the LIS SEP–that allowed them to enroll or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan monthly.

Under the new rule, dual eligibles and LIS recipients will only be able to enroll or disenroll… Click to read more

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