News

The good news is that key members of Congress now say they will push for surprise billing legislation to be part of the next bill that deals with the coronavirus emergency..Some states have passed laws that would allow their state to import drugs from Canada. National Public Radio recently reported that the state of Florida wants to establish a pilot program to buy medications from Canada in bulk. The state would contract with a wholesaler in Canada, who would provide certain high cost drugs that the state identifies. Patients in Florida who have a prescription for one of those drugs would just go to their pharmacy to pick up their medication..For the past two years, nearly 160 million Americans have enjoyed a two percent Social Security payroll tax holiday, which has resulted in approximately 0 in annual tax relief in the form of higher paychecks for the average worker. The measure was passed in 2010 in an effort to stimulate the sluggish economy, and it has been extended twice since then. But the popular tax cut is set to expire on the first of January, and for four key reasons, The Senior Citizens League is urging Congress to let the tax holiday come to an end..The coronavirus emergency spending bill that Congress just passed was not "paid for," in Washington's language. It was added to the deficit, which means the government will borrow the money to pay for it..The new cosponsors are: Sen. Jack Reed, Reps. Mark Takano, James Langevin, Ed Whitfield, Patrick Meehan, William Keating, Duncan Hunter, Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Raul Grijalva, John Larson, Billy Long, Michael Honda, David Price, Daniel Lipinski, Jan Schakowsky, Rosa DeLauro, and Ed Royce..If you have questions or experience billing issues, contact an advocate such as your doctor, and your area agency on aging. Multiple home health agencies operate in many areas of the country, and you may be able to find services through a different agency. For information on where to find help in your area, check the Eldercare Locator..Cost of alcohol or drug-abuse treatment..Medicare Advantage plan cuts. So far, seniors have not been widely affected by cuts to Medicare Advantage plans, but many of the changes in reimbursements to plans have not yet taken effect. TSCL remains concerned that the reimbursement cuts would cause plans to drop extra benefits like eyeglasses and hearing aids that they now provide. Of greater concern is whether plan payments will be adequate for insurers to maintain their contracts with Medicare to provide services. When Congress cut plan payments too deeply in the past, insurers pulled out of markets all over the United States, leaving millions of seniors scrambling to find another health plan - most often at higher out-of-pocket cost..To contact Social Security, you may call toll free at or visit the website at.