Ncsl in dc publications and resources capitol to capitol may 11 2020

But you can help put a stop to the suspicious phone calls - report them! Here's the info that you will need:.According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging some drug companies share this common business model which is leading to huge price spikes:.Will higher-income workers pay their fair share of taxes to Social Security?.The first change affects those who hit the Medicare Part D donut hole, or the gap in coverage that occurs after a beneficiary's total drug costs reach ,970 and before they total ,750. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, last year 2.8 million seniors who hit the donut hole saved an average of 7 on prescription drugs due to the Affordable Care Act. This year, Medicare will provide an additional subsidy to those who hit the coverage gap, resulting in an additional in savings for the average beneficiary..Bringing Newly Hired State and Local Workers Into The Social Security System: Currently 96 percent of U.S. workers are covered by Social Security; most of the remaining four percent are covered by federal, state and local pension plans and do not contribute to Social Security. Bringing newly hired state and local workers into the system by 2021 would make Social Security more inclusive and increase its revenues. This proposal would close about eight percent of the program's 75-year shortfall..Of concern to Social Security recipients, however, are not only what categories and items are included in the CPI, but also whose market basket the government is surveying, and the fairness of the "weight" or estimate of the portion of income they represent that the Bureau of Labor Statistics assigns..To allow this situation to languish so long is a national disgrace when there's a surprising high level of bipartisan support for Notch Reform through "The Notch Fairness Act." This legislation would allow Notch Babies born from 1917 through 1926 a choice between a lump-sum of ,000 payable over a four-year period, or a higher monthly benefit. As of this writing, more than 94 cosponsors have signed on..During recent healthcare reform hearings, TSCL submitted a statement to the Senate HELP Committee expressing support for an emergency COLA in 20The COLA could be set high enough to cover the rise in Medicare Part B and the average rise in Part D premiums. Doing so would help prevent reductions in seniors' benefits, and a Medicare notch in premiums, and provide protection from benefits taking a big hit in buying power. TSCL believes that H.R. 3557 as introduced by Representative Walter Jones would do just that..In 2019, there are a total of ten different Medigap plans, "A" through "N." Congress closed Plans "F" and "C" because they cover the Medicare Part B deductible. The thinking is that deductibles prevent "over utilization" of Medicare benefits. The Part B deductible is 5.50 this year and it rises at the same pace as the Part B premium. According to research by Johnson, Part B premiums have increased about 10 percent per year since 2000, making it one of the fastest growing costs in retirement. "Requiring retirees to pay deductibles, or higher deductibles, has the biggest financial and health impact on middle-income Medicare beneficiaries with modest means," says Johnson. "Many put off medically necessary care if they can't afford the deductible, and their health can get worse when they do," she says.

Patient Education Giving Birth
The government will announce the 2017 COLA on October 18, 2016 and it remains to be seen whether Congress will take action to protect older Americans and state Medicaid budgets from unexpectedly high Medicare Part B premium costs. In response to similar circumstances last fall, Congress passed legislation that modified the Part B premium spike to the amount it would have increased if the hold harmless provision had not gone into effect..TSCL joins voices with Chairman Sam Johnson in urging President Trump to nominate a Social Security Commissioner immediately. To stay updated on the nomination and confirmation process in the months ahead, visit the Legislative News section of our website every Friday morning..TSCL Supports New Anti-Fraud Bill … Continued

Report Section Medicaid And Chip Eligibility Enrollment And Cost Sharing Policies As Of January 2020 Findings From A 50 State Survey Introduction
President Barak Obama included a proposal in his fiscal year 2014 budget that would have reduced Social Security benefits by using the more slowly-growing chained consumer price index to calculate the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. An estimate produced for TSCL projects that "chaining the COLA" would cut Social Security benefits by about 9% over a 30-year retirement. Although the proposal has been under discussion for several years, it has not passed, primarily due to fierce resistance from older voters..When comparing plans, beneficiaries are generally told to check premium costs, deductibles and other cost-sharing, whether the plan covers the drugs you actually take, provider networks, and added benefits, if any, not covered by Medicare. All of that is essential. But one key consideration that can be overlooked is how the plan uses prior authorization..Medicare Advantage plans combine both parts of Medicare, and the health plans are required to cover everything that is covered under original Medicare. However, your provider may be reporting your doctor's orders to your Medicare Advantage plan in order to get prior authorization for your CT scan. Most Medicare Advantage plans routinely require prior authorization to manage your care and to prevent excess use of care that has not been documented as medically necessary. This practice protects you from surprise bills, and confirms that the provider is authorized to bill your Medicare Advantage plans for your care. … Continued