The final rule (CMS-4199-F) can be downloaded from the Federal Register at:https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-23407/medicare-program-implementing-certain-provisions-of-the-consolidated-appropriations-act-2021-and

Section 120 of the CAA – Beneficiary Enrollment Simplification 

In general, under current rules for Medicare premium Part A and Part B, the date when an individual’s coverage becomes effective depends on when they enroll:

·         If an individual enrolls during any of the first three months of their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), their coverage will start the first month of eligibility (e.g., age 65).

·         If an individual enrolls during their IEP in the month they become eligible, their coverage will start the month after they enroll. 

·         If an individual enrolls during any of the last three months of their IEP, their coverage will start 2-3 months after they enroll.

·         If an individual enrolls during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1st through March 31st every year, their coverage will start July 1st.

As mandated in Section 120 of the CAA and finalized in this rule, beginning January 1, 2023, Medicare coverage will become effective the month after enrollment for individuals enrolling in the last three months of their IEP or in the GEP, thereby reducing any potential gaps in coverage.

Section 120 of the CAA also gave the Secretary the authority to establish SEPs in the case of individuals who meet such exceptional conditions as the Secretary may provide.  In this rule, CMS is finalizing SEPs that will provide individuals who meet certain exceptional conditions and who missed a Medicare enrollment period, an opportunity to enroll without having to wait for the GEP and without being subject to a late enrollment penalty (LEP).

~ submitted by Liz Yokley, BSW at Aging Matters

 

Count Your Blessings

This time of the year is the perfect time to be purposeful about thankfulness. The holiday season can be stressful in our personal lives as we manage shopping, parties, school programs, family gatherings, and more. Add on top of that our professional lives as we work with callers every day who are facing a crisis and their stress bleeds through the phone lines and into our laps. If not dealt with this can manifest into a twisted ball of anxiety that sits tight in our chest and can lead to sleepless nights.

One of my favorite movies to watch during the holiday season is White Christmas. In the movie there is a scene where an anxious Rosemary Clooney runs into Bing Crosby when she cannot sleep. In his calming voice he sings,

“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small, I think of when I had none at all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings”

As we listen to our callers share the difficulties in their lives we can begin to think of the world as a dark place. It is important that we refocus our thoughts to find the positive. If you do a quick google search for research on gratitude, you’ll find pages of articles and books stating all the benefits that gratitude brings. I think we all know this, but don’t always take the time to put it into practice.

So, the next time you wake up at night and begin to feel the weight of the world settle on your shoulders think of Bing Crosby and count your blessings instead of sheep and hopefully you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.

~submitted by Heather Pierce, 211 Coordinator at United Way 211 of Kansas