Blog Posts

Have you heard you’ll be getting a new Medicare card? Wondering when or why? This isn’t happening until April 2018 but scammers are already jumping on the confusion as an opportunity for fraud. That’s why we’re sharing some facts.

Effective March 8, 2017 hospitals must begin providing the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) to patients in observation status for more than 36 hours.

Having Inpatient status versus observation status determines whether a beneficiary qualifies for Medicare coverage of Skilled Nursing and Rehab services.

 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a time-limited opportunity for Part B equitable relief for people enrolled in Marketplace plans who mistakenly delayed or declined Medicare Part B because of being given mis-information or mistakes regarding tax credits or other subsidies. This mis-information could have been from a Medicare representative, Social Security rep, or someone else acting on the government’s behalf, such as a Medicare Advantage plan customer service rep.

  The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) included many provisions affecting the Medicare program and the 57 million seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health insurance coverage. Such provisions include reductions in the growth in Medicare payments to hospitals and other health care providers and to Medicare Advantage plans, benefit improvements, payment and delivery system reforms, higher premiums for higher-income beneficiaries, and new revenues.

By April 2019 Medicare will be sending beneficiaries replacement Medicare cards with a new random identification number.

Be aware that Medicare WILL NOT call you on the phone and fraud is already happening as crooks call in an attempt to “verify information” and thereby steal your identity.

When Medicare replaces the SSN on all Medicare cards, they can…

A recent report says many Medicare buyers of Advantage plans are confused.  A Wall Street Journal article discusses the confusion and recommends the Medicare Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program as an unbiased source for help.

HICAP is California state’s acronym for the national SHIP program.  Individual unbiased counseling is available through a volunteer trained and registered through the Department of Aging.  Counseling sites are spread throughout communities located in every county nation wide so beneficiaries can receive local help and advocacy.

 An increasing number of seniors are choosing to get their Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. But do they understand what they’re signing up for?

 Medicare has announced the new premiums for 2017.  The Part B monthly premium will be $134.00 for some beneficiaries and $104.90 for others in the “hold harmless” category.  The Part B annual deductible will be $183.00.  For those with a Part A premium, there are increases depending on the number of quarterly contributions made.  The Part A deductible per benefit period will be $1,316.  Income related monthly premium rate adjustments have also increased.  For detailed information, contact HICAP for an unbiased appointment with a counselor in your community to understand how these 2017 changes affect you.

Frank was interviewed about Medicare and HICAP by KWMR FM 90.5 serving Marin county.

Listen to this Airwaves program and the many questions that were asked and clarified.

 

Let’s assume you have a Marketplace plan and are turning 65 sometime this year.

Once you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ll have an initial enrollment period to sign up for Medicare. For most people, the…