News

  • Legislative Update June 2013

    It's smart to compare your health insurance options. Your Initial Enrollment period for Medicare begins three months before you attain age 65, the month you turn 65, and ends three months after you attain 6If you decide in favor of starting Medicare as soon as you are eligible, then you would want to shop and compare coverage costs now. .Republicans Sweep Tuesday's Elections .More than ever before, it is critical that seniors make their voices heard on Capitol Hill. In the past two years, countless proposals to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits have been backed by deficit hawks in Congress. Recent plans have called for lower cost-of-living adjustments, increased Medicare means testing, a higher retirement age, and even the phasing out of Medicare altogether. The stakes are high for seniors, and with a critical election just months away, every voice counts. The stacks of petitions that our members signed were delivered along with a personalized letter addressed to each Member of Congress. The letters expressed appreciation to those who have already signed on as supporters of the key issues. To those who have not, however, they conveyed a powerful and urgent message and served as a call to action. … Continued

  • A Coronavirus Caused Recession Could Eliminate Next Years Cola

    Lawmakers will likely pass a short-term bill that will provide funding through Friday, May 5th. The seven-day stopgap measure will buy time for lawmakers to continue working on a larger omnibus spending bill that will fund the government through September 30th – the end of the fiscal year. .However, the pharmaceutical industry has spent billions of dollars over the years fighting this kind of legislation and passing it will not be easy. .Insurance Industry Predicts Premium Increase … Continued

According to the president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, "The bill throws a lifeline to caregivers by continuing the pause in the 2% Medicare sequester, and making adjustments to buffer the impact of an ill-conceived change in physician payments during a pandemic." .Information about critical issues affecting seniors .This week, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) announced its support for legislation that would increase the administrative funding of the Social Security program, prevent field office closures, and eliminate two waiting periods that Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries must endure. In addition, six key bills gained new cosponsors in the House. .Accurate earnings estimates: It's important to accurately estimate your earnings. If you worked for someone else, Social Security will need your gross earnings prior to deductions for taxes. In addition, Social Security counts when the wages are earned, NOT when they are paid. This includes accumulated sick or vacation pay and bonuses. .Sources: National Health Expenditures 2011 Highlights, Department of Health and Human Services, January 8, 2013. .It sounds as though either your mother, or her acquaintance, received some incorrect information. "The Notch Fairness Act," legislation that would provide Notch Babies born 1917 through 1926 with a settlement of ,000, or a higher monthly benefit, has not yet passed. No doubt that's why the Social Security Administration did not respond to your mother's request. It is correct that widows or widowers receiving benefits on the account of a Notch Baby would be entitled to the ,000, or the higher monthly benefit if the legislation is enacted. .To learn more about Medicare deductibles visit online at www.Medicare.gov or call toll free at 1-800-MEDICARE ( 7). .As we all know, senior citizens are the most likely to be hospitalized or die from the Covid-19 virus -- by a wide margin. ."People should watch for mail from their drug or health plans explaining cost changes for 2018," Johnson says. You can compare plans and make changes during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs October 15th through December 7th. You can get free one-on-one counseling from your state Health Insurance counselors (SHIP) by contacting your local Area on Aging, or senior centers. Ask for help comparing Medicare drug plans.