Dec. 19, 2012
Documentation: Helping your clients screen & apply for benefits
 What do your clients need to have with them when filling out a BenefitsCheckUp® screening questionnaire? How can they prove their residency, income, and citizenship when applying for benefits? We’ve created a handy new documentation checklist for you to share with your clients.
Download the checklist
Getting Food + More to those in need
When Ms. Guzman came to Isabella Geriatric Center, one of our Benefits Enrollment Centers, she was only looking for help with her SSI. But thanks to an attentive counselor, Ms. Guzman received much more, including assistance enrolling in SNAP, which saves her $200 each month on groceries.
Read her story | See other BEC successes
BenefitsCheckUp® adds more programs to help veterans!
 There are many federal and state programs to help veterans with housing, tax relief, employment, education, and more. We have updated BenefitsCheckUp® to include these valuable benefits, so click on the “Get Started Now” button to find help today.
Conduct a screening | Find fact sheets on veterans’ benefits
Miss one of our webinars this year?
We’ve got a handy archive of webinars available on our site. Access the recordings, download slides, and get the follow-up questions and answers from our 2012 series.
Access the webinar archive
Status update: MIPPA funding outreach extension
 NCOA’s advocacy staff is leading the effort to extend funding for Medicare low-income outreach and enrollment activities, which expired Oct. 1. A letter urging that the funding be extended was signed by 32 diverse national organizations representing seniors and people with disabilities. Groups have requested that $27 million in funding be included in the package that would extend current Medicare physician payment rates, in order to avoid a 27% reduction on Jan. 1.
Read the letter
Helping your clients in the new year
As the new year rolls in, keep in mind the annual Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP), which runs Jan. 1-Feb. 14. During this time, your clients who have changed their minds and prefer to get their Part A and B benefits through traditional Medicare can disenroll from their private Medicare Advantage health plan. There are specific rules when using the MADP, so be sure to review them with your clients so they don’t lose any needed coverage.
Read A Closer Look: MADP
Special Alert re: QI program
At this time, Congress has not yet passed legislation that would prevent the Medicare cuts in physician and other providers' fees (also known as the “doc fix”). Most years, the “doc fix” includes a package of other related provisions, including the extension of the Qualifying Individual (QI) benefit. If Congress does not act before Dec. 31, Medicare beneficiaries with QI will no longer have their Part B premiums paid for by the state.
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