California Health Advocates

Updated Fact Sheets: Medicare Savings Programs, Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:54:37 -0700

"Medicare Savings Programs" (PDF) and "Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)" (PDF) Medicare Fact Sheets have been updated.

CHA’s Senior Medicare Patrol Project Awarded 3-Year Grant

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:50:16 -0700

Our SMP project recently received its 5th SMP grant from the Administration on Aging.

CHA Testifies on Consumer Protections for Long-Term Care Insurance Before Senate Special Committee on Aging

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:26:45 -0700

Bonnie Burns, CHA Training and Policy Specialist, testifies on the need for greater consumer protections, standardization of policies and regulation of LTC insurance products.

Governor Proposes $9 Billion in New Massive Cuts; Entire Programs Targeted for Elimination

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:10:15 -0700

California’s budget deficit is projected to be over $24 billion by June 2010; the Governor proposes additional permanent spending cuts and program eliminations to key Medi-Cal and other health and human services programs.

CMC Teleconference, June 24: National Health Reform

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:49:01 -0700

Our next CMC meeting will be a statewide teleconference on National Health Reform, Wednesday, June 24th, 10 a.m. - 12 noon.

Updated Fact Sheets

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:39:04 -0700

"Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)" (PDF) and "Medicare and People With Disabilities: An Overview" (PDF) Medicare Fact Sheets have been updated.

Are You Eligible for a 65% Reduction on Your COBRA or CalCOBRA Premiums?

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:04:10 -0700

Review frequently asked questions on the Recovery Act’s COBRA Subsidy.

Continued Health Disparities: Higher End-of-Life Medicare Costs for Minority Patients

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:06:20 -0700

Disease death rates for elderly African Americans and Latinos are similar to those for whites, yet why are their end-of-life Medicare costs significantly higher?

Recovery Act Provides Important Health Care & Benefit Provisions

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:13:34 -0700

Authorizing $789 billion in federal spending, the Act includes a one-time payment of $250 to people receiving Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income payments.

Translated Fact Sheets in Vietnamese

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:06:44 -0700

4 of our Medicare Fact Sheets are newly translated in Vietnamese:

1. Original Medicare: An Overview (PDF)

2. 2009 Premiums, Co-insurance & Deductibles (Original Fee-for-Service Medicare) (PDF)

3. Medicare Part D: An Overview (PDF)

4. Extra Help for Part D Costs (PDF)

CMC Teleconference, April 29: State Budget & Implications for Health Care

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:06:49 -0700

California Medicare Coalition Teleconference:

Update on California's State Budget & Implications for Health Care

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Presenter: Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access

RSVP by April 27th to Jasmine Suo at jsuo@cahealthadvocates.org to receive the dial-in number and handouts.

Checklist Provides Simple Answers and Action Steps for People New to Medicare

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:50:38 -0700

Review helpful answers, resources, and actions to take when becoming eligible for Medicare.

Updated Fact Sheets: Supplementing Medicare, and Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:39:35 -0700

"Supplementing Medicare: An Overview" (PDF) and "Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)" (PDF) Medicare Fact Sheets have been updated.

Updated Fact Sheet: Medicare Advantage: If You Have Problems with Your Medicare Advantage Plan

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:05:01 -0700

"Medicare Advantage: If You Have Problems with Your Medicare Advantage Plan" (C-002) Fact Sheet has been updated.

New to Medicare Checklist

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:15:03 -0700

Helpful questions, answers and resources for assistance on items to know and actions to take when becoming eligible for Medicare.

Spanish & English Podcasts Available on Medicare Low-Income Programs and Medicare Appeals

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:42:19 -0800

Beneficiaries, their families and caregivers can listen in English and/or Spanish to learn about Medicare appeal rights and programs to help pay for Medicare costs. Transcripts are available in both languages.

On the Fraud Front: Medicare Advantage Plans ‘Tell On’ Each Other

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:41:51 -0800

Medicare Advantage plans are policing each other, sending our Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) project advertisements from other MA plans that allegedly violate the new, more rigorous marketing rules implemented last fall.

New Podcasts Review Low-Income, Appeal Rights

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:34:53 -0800

We've added 2 more podcasts: Podcast #3 reviews low-income programs that can help cover your Medicare costs. Podcast #4 reviews your Medicare appeal rights. Available in English and Spanish.

Know Your Rights to COBRA? – Extended Healthcare Benefits for Terminated or Reduced Employment

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:36:20 -0800

Many Californians who have lost their jobs may benefit from continuing their health coverage through COBRA. Learn how COBRA works, who qualifies and how it works with Medicare.

New Medicare Marketing Rules Fail to Cure Problems in the Medicare Marketplace

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:03:46 -0800

Our newly released report, The Price is Right: The Selling of Medicare (PDF), reviews the short comings of recent legislative and regulatory changes to improve consumer protections relating to marketing misconduct of Medicare plans, and provides recommendations to resolve these marketing abuses.

New Medicare Beneficiaries Have More Time to Get the "Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:20:43 -0800

The latest Medicare law expanded the "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam to allow new beneficiaries one year, versus 6 months, to get the physical exam, and beneficiaries do not have to meet the deductible before Medicare covers the benefit.

9 Simple Ways to Avoid Medicare Marketing Scams

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:20:12 -0800

Learn of some of the marketing practices Medicare beneficiaries should no longer encounter or, if they do, should not tolerate.

Updated Fact Sheets: HICAP, and Fraud & Abuse

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:42:54 -0800

"HICAP: An Overview" (PDF) and "Fraud and Abuse" (PDF) Medicare Fact Sheets have been updated.

CMS Proposes New Compensation Limits for Agents Selling Medicare Part C & D Plans

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:28:15 -0800

While the new compensation limits may help eliminate incentives for agents or brokers to move beneficiaries from plan to plan, a practice known in the industry as "churning," the new rules actually encourage agents to focus their marketing efforts on a specific population - those new to Medicare and those in fee-for-service Medicare.

The Price is Right: the Selling of Medicare - New Marketing Rules Fail to Cure Problems in the Medicare Marketplace (PDF)

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:49:49 -0800

This issue brief: 1) reviews the past 2 years of changes in Medicare marketplace regulations; 2) explores unresolved systemic issues that prevent adequate marketing oversight; 3) analyzes selected new marketing rules, including their shortcomings; and 4) provides recommendations to better protect beneficiaries from ongoing marketing abuses.

CMS' Proposed Rules on New Compensation Limits for Agents Selling Medicare Part C & D Plans

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:51:17 -0800

Comments submitted by CHA, drafted jointly with various advocacy organizations. Comments reveal how proposed compensation rules encourage agents to focus enrollment efforts on people new to Medicare, or those in Original fee-for-service Medicare. Several recommendations included.

Translated MEDICARE Fact Sheets Now Available in 5 Languages

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:31:50 -0800

10 Medicare fact sheets are translated and available in Spanish, Korean, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Advocacy & Policy: Dual Eligibles & Medicare Advantage Plans: Do New Rules Make Them a Better Fit? (PDF)

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:38:13 -0800

Posted in Advocacy & Policy: Part 1 explores the topic of dual eligibles in MA plans in general and whether recent legislative and regulatory changes make MA plans, as a whole, a more viable option for dual eligibles; Part 2 explores these changes as they specifically apply to MA Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for dual eligibles.

Download the PDF.

Updated Fact Sheet: Medicare and People with End Stage Renal Disease

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:02:53 -0800

"Medicare and People with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)" Fact Sheet has been updated.

New Spanish Fact Sheet: Extra Help for Part D Costs

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:35:29 -0800

"Extra Help for Part D Costs" Fact Sheet is now available in Spanish.

Download the PDF.

Easy Resources to Stop Unsolicited Mail, Emails and Telemarketing Calls

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:26:42 -0800

Beneficiaries can protect themselves from insurance fraud, identity theft, and marketing scams by stopping unsolicited mail, email and telemarketing calls. See the outlined resources.

New Online Tools! 2009 Part D Plan Charts, Fact Sheets, Medicare Marketing Regulations Powerpoint and More

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:54:33 -0800

For both beneficiaries and advocates, these tools support important health care choices for 2009 during Medicare's fall enrollment period (November 15- December 31).

Reviewing TrOOP and a Little-Known "Cash Price Policy" – Do You Know What Costs Count?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:11:24 -0800

Not all out-of-pocket drug expenses count toward a beneficiary reaching his/her Part D catastrophic coverage. Review what costs count and what do not and CMS' "cash price policy."

CHA Offers New Spanish and English Medicare Podcasts and Blog

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:10:20 -0800

CHA's new Medicare podcasts help both English and Spanish-speaking beneficiaries and their families review Medicare coverage and their health plan options for 2009. CHA also launches its blog with current Medicare news for professionals.

New Fact Sheet Explains Medicare Coverage for People with End Stage Renal Disease

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:33:08 -0700

This new fact sheet covers how one qualifies for Medicare, when coverage begins and ends, how it coordinates with employer or union group health plans, and options for other supplemental coverage.

Download the PDF

Updated Fact Sheet: Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C): An Overview

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:17:27 -0800

"Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C): An Overview" Fact Sheet has been updated.

New Fact Sheet for People with Medicare and Veterans Benefits

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:55:58 -0700

This fact sheet reviews what the Veterans Administration Medical Benefits Package is, who qualifies for these benefits and how to apply. It also explains people's options of using both VA and Medicare benefits or just one or the other.

New Fact Sheet for People with Medicare and TriCare for Life (TCL)

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:55:13 -0700

Some people with Medicare also have health coverage through the Department of Defense called TriCare for Life. This fact sheet explains TFL coverage, who qualifies for it, and how it works with Medicare.

Wayne Soucy Named CEO of California Health Advocates

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:58:03 -0700

CHA announces Wayne B. Soucy of Rancho Mirage, CA as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Podcast: Medicare: Fall Enrollment

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:41:38 -0700

This is an audio broadcast prepared by California Health Advocates entitled “Medicare: Fall Enrollment.” In this broadcast, we will briefly describe the annual election period and provide advice about what people should review when considering whether to make a change in their Medicare coverage.

Podcast: Overview of Medicare

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:41:05 -0700

This is an audio broadcast prepared by California Health Advocates entitled “Medicare: an Overview.” In this broadcast, we will briefly go over what Medicare is, the different parts of Medicare (Parts A-D), programs for people with low-income, and where to get help and more information about Medicare.

Next CMC Meeting: November 12

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:54:33 -0700

The next CMC meeting will be a statewide teleconference on November 12, 2008 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. More information is coming soon.

New Fact Sheet Explains Medicare Coverage for People with End Stage Renal Disease

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:53:44 -0700

This new fact sheet covers how one qualifies for Medicare, when coverage begins and ends, how it coordinates with employer or union group health plans, and options for other supplemental coverage.

Updated Fact Sheets

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:05:01 -0700

"Medicare Enrollment Periods" and "Medigap Plans" Fact Sheets have been updated.

Update on Medicare: MIPPA, "Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" and Situ v. Leavitt

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:01:29 -0700

Recent CMC meeting topic PowerPoint available for download.

MIPPA Watch #1: Updates on Provisions Now Effective from Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA)

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:13:10 -0700

Review a chronological list of MIPPA provisions effective retroactively and those effective as of January 2009.

Medicare Issues New Rules to Enforce MIPPA Marketing Requirements this Fall

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:53:05 -0700

CMS recently released final regulations to protect Medicare beneficiaries from deceptive or high-pressure marketing tactics by private insurance companies and their agents during the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug Annual Election Period for the 2009 plan year. See a summary of these regulations.

Need Help in the Part D Donut Hole? – A Review of PAPs and the Co-Pay Relief Program

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:51:35 -0700

Between 15-26% of California Health Advocates' hotline calls this past summer were concerning Part D coverage, particularly questions about what to do when reaching the coverage gap referred to as the "donut hole."

Updated Fact Sheet: Medicare and People With Disabilities: An Overview

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:55:35 -0700

UPDATED SEPT. 9, 2008: This is a fact sheet on Medicare for people with disabilities. It provides basic information on the program, including tips and other useful information to help people with disabilities understand and navigate Medicare with other disability benefit programs, learn about other services available to them, and money saving programs related to their Medicare costs.

http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/fact-sheets/

CMS Issues Updated Best Available Evidence Policy Memo

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:26:52 -0700

CMS’ memo about a new process to the Best Available Evidence policy to help beneficiaries who claim to be LIS eligible but cannot present evidence.

Federal Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Needed, Witnesses Voice at House Hearing

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:17:36 -0700

Three panels of witnesses at a House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on July 24th called on federal lawmakers to require minimum standards for private long-term care insurance policies.

Veto Override on Medicare Bill Marks Important Victory for Beneficiaries & Advocates

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:50:29 -0700

The Medicare bill's historical veto override provides long-sought provisions in Medicare benefits, marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, protections for low-income beneficiaries, and language access requirements.

Medicare Part D Lawsuit Settlement Helps Shorten Delays in Getting Medication for Low-Income Beneficiaries

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:19:21 -0700

Tens of thousands of low-income Americans who become eligible for Medicare each month will no longer have to wait weeks for subsidized prescription drug coverage under a new settlement with the Bush administration.

Promises Made, Promises Denied: Consumers of Long-Term Care Insurance Experience Denied Claims and Premium Increases

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:41:49 -0700

Testimony before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Statement of Bonnie Burns, Training and Policy Specialist, California Health Advocates addressing. See also the archived hearing and written testimonies.

Telephone Scams in California Continue – Protect Your Medicare and Credit Card Info

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:20:10 -0700

Have you been offered a new Medicare card with dental, vision, and hearing aid benefits? If so, this offer may be one of the recent telephone scams being made to beneficiaries around the state and nationwide.

California's Senior Medicare Patrol Project Saves Medicare $7+ Million in Fraud Claims

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:41:31 -0700

California's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) project helped Medicare avoid paying over $7 million in fraudulent claims last year, which accounts for 99% of Medicare's avoided costs for all 57 SMP projects nationwide.

Is Your Pharmacy Profiting at Your Expense?

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:00:40 -0700

Albertsons pharmacy division (Sav-On Drugs, Jewel Osco) and its affiliated companies are being sued for violating the California privacy rights of thousands of its customers by illegally selling their confidential prescription information to pharmaceutical companies.