Annie Cares

02/06/2020

Changes to Do Not Call registry
Consumers registered on the Pennsylvania Do No Call list no longer have to re-register every five years. The state’s amendment to Bill 318, passed in October 2019, became effective in January. The Telemarketer Registration Act Do Not Call list no longer has a limited effective period. Businesses may also register to be included on the list. The amendment also bans telephone solicitations by telemar-keters on legal holidays and requires robocalls to start a phone call with a clear way for recipients to opt out of future calls. If a message from a telemarketer is left on the recipient’s telephone, a phone number must be included to make it possible to call to prevent future calls.
Do Not Call registration is easy. Visit the Attorney General’s website at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/do-not-call-list/dnc-enrollment/. Enter your name, address, up to 7 telephone numbers and submit. You may also call the toll-free helpline at 1-888-777-3406.

12/10/2019

IMPORTANT MEDICARE NEWS

Beginning January 1,2020 all Medicare Claim Submissions must include the new Medicare Beneficiary Number. If you have not received your new Medicare card, please call
800-772-1213. You may also request this online at https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices

Provides information and links to Social Security's online services.

12/10/2019

Below is information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on how you can speak up about changes that The Social Security Administration wants to make to it's rules for people who get disability benefits, including SSI.

The Social Security Administration just announced that it wants to change its rules for people who get disability benefits, including SSI. Most people would have to prove disability every two years.
Social Security expects to cut off nearly two million people over the next ten years. These are people with severe disabilities who can't work.
The New Rules will Hurt People with Disabilities
Getting Social Security disability benefits is incredibly burdensome. It can take years to qualify, and the process is time-consuming and stressful. The new rules would force people to start over just two years later.
Social Security makes mistakes. Social Security does not always follow the law for disability reviews, and people get cut off by mistake. The new rules would make these problems worse.
More reviews would clog the Social Security system for everyone. People often wait two years or more for Social Security hearings. The new rules would push more people into the system, creating longer delays for people who need income urgently and cannot work.
There are not enough lawyers to help people. Without a lawyer, most people will not make it successfully through the review process. But many lawyers are not able to handle disability reviews, so people will go without the help they need.
Take Action!
Watch this short video to learn how you can help (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_VeUHxKGkA)
Here are four things you can do to fight these new rules:
1. Submit Comments to Social Security. Social Security is collecting comments on the new rules until January 17, 2020. It will have to read and consider every comment. Click here to submit a comment. Below is some sample language, but remember, your comment will be stronger if you personalize it with your own experiences and message:
Dear Social Security Commissioner Saul:
I am writing about the proposed Social Security rule that would make most people getting disability benefits prove that they have disabilities every two years. I am very worried about the rule. I do not think it should go forward.
It can be very hard to get disability benefits. For some people it takes years, and it is a stressful and time consuming process. More frequent disability reviews will create additional burdens for people with disabilities who cannot work and are struggling with income insecurity.
Even worse, Social Security often makes mistakes when reviewing disability, meaning there is an even greater chance that people who qualify for benefits will be denied and will go without the help they need. And pushing more people into disability reviews will slow down the system for everyone.
The new rule will cut almost two million people off of disability benefits over the next ten years. This rule would hurt people with disabilities. Please do not go forward with the rule.
Sincerely,
2. Contact Your Congressperson. Social Security has to follow the law when it issues the new rules. Congress can investigate whether the new rules fit with the law. Ask your Congressional Representative to look into the new rules. Click here (https://www.house.gov/representatives…) to contact your Congressperson. Not sure what to say? Here is some sample language you can modify:
Dear Congressperson ___Last Name___,
I am writing about the proposed Social Security rule that would make most people getting disability benefits prove that they have disabilities every two years. Please tell Social Security that it should not go forward with the rule.
It can be very hard to get disability benefits. For some people it takes years, and it is a stressful and time consuming process. More frequent disability reviews will create additional burdens for people with disabilities who cannot work and are struggling with income insecurity.
Even worse, Social Security often makes mistakes when reviewing disability, meaning there is an even greater chance that people who qualify for benefits will be denied and will go without the help they need. And pushing more people into disability reviews will slow down the system for everyone.
The new rule will cut almost two million people off of disability benefits over the next ten years. This rule would hurt people with disabilities. Please work with Social Security to make sure that the rule does not go forward.
Sincerely,
3. Join CLS for a call on December 11, 2019 at 10 am. Learn more about how the proposed rule change would affect people with disabilities, and how you can speak out against it. The call will include time to ask questions of Social Security law experts. Register here (https://docs.google.com/…/1FnPu-Yab-acvEMNbkfiDcD…/viewform…).
4. Spread the Word! Social Security needs to hear from as many people as possible about the new rules. Please forward this information and share Community Legal Resources of Philadelphia's website (https://clsphila.org/public-benefits/nonewburdens/…) on social media. Tell Social Security !

Social Security just announced it wants to change its rules and make people with disabilities prove that they are disabled every two years. Getting Social Se...

12/04/2019

The National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) is a new initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) within the U.S. Department of Labor. There is a growing interest to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities and mental health disabilities. However, for many providers of employment services for people with disabilities and the national organizations that represent them, there are relatively few opportunities to access the technical support needed in order to help providers transform their service delivery systems to sustain a successful business while helping employees with significant disabilities achieve successful competitive integrated employment.

NEON has been established to address this growing need by providing National Provider Organizations (NPOs) with technical support in developing strategic plans to effectively increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for the individuals they serve, including those with significant disabilities and mental health disabilities who have faced barriers to employment. NEON will provide five (5) NPOs with technical assistance from a pool of national Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who serve as peer mentors in provider transformation and customized employment. Furthermore, NEON will provide one-on-one technical support for up to five Local Provider Organizations (LPOs) who are members within each NPO. NEON will give its participating organizations the opportunity to network with one another and to learn about effective strategies through peer-to-peer mentoring.

08/27/2019

08/27/2019

All Pennsylvanians deserve to live joyful lives free from abuse.

Do you know how to spot warning signs of elder abuse? Learn them here: bit.ly/2l9NpLN.

Report abuse of older adults 24/7 by calling 1-800-490-8505.

07/05/2019

NCOA Center for Benefits Access

Medicare pays for a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, including many preventive services, for older adults and persons living with disabilities. However, there are some components of health care that are excluded from Medicare coverage, specifically certain dental, vision, and hearing services.

Here we offer a general overview of what Medicare does and doesn't cover related to dental, vision and hearing care, and where your clients with limited incomes and resources can go to find help paying for these services.

07/05/2019

Dental

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine oral health/dental care, such as teeth cleaning, fillings, dentures, root canals, etc. If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, or Medigap, check to see if any of these routine services are covered under the
plan/policy.

Original Medicare may pay for dental services that are medically necessary prior to another Medicare-covered medical procedure. For example, Medicare may cover a dental procedure required for a person with oral cancer prior to radiation treatment, or a tooth extraction necessary prior
to cardiac surgery.

Where to get help with dental treatment

• The Dental Lifeline Network of the American Dental Association runs a program offering free, comprehensive dental treatment to vulnerable people, including the elderly and those living with disabilities.

• Dentistry from the Heart is a nonprofit that arranges community events with local dentists, where attendees may receive a basic cleaning or one extraction or filling free of charge.

• Community Health Centers (CH Cs) supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration provide health services, including dental care, to those with limited incomes,
usually on a sliding scale payment.

• Dental schools often offer low-cost cleaning and care to enable dentists-in-training an opportunity to practice their skills. Check with the American Dental Association to find a
program in your area.

07/05/2019

Vision

Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or fitting and purchase of contact lenses or glasses. Part B does cover an annual glaucoma test for at-risk individuals, an annual exam to test for diabetic retinopathy among diabetics, certain diagnostic tests and screenings for macular degeneration, and cataract surgery plus one pair of post-surgery eyeglasses. Some of these services may be subject to the standard 20% cost-sharing amount in Part B. (Again, check your plan: if you also have Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, or Medigap to see whether any vision services are covered.)

Where to get help with vision care

• EyeCare America® , a service of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, provides free eye exams and up to one year of care for low-income individuals who qualify.

• Local Lions' Club chapters often have programs to assist those with severe vision impairment. Find your local chapter in your phone book or by visiting the Lions' Club Directory
online.

• New Eyes for the Needy purchases prescription glasses using a voucher program for low­ income individuals. Only social service providers, not the individuals themselves, may apply.

07/05/2019

Hearing

Original Medicare does not cover hearing exams or hearing aids and fittings. Part B does cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if a provider orders these tests to see if a person requires medical treatment for a condition other than hearing loss. (Again, check your plans if they also have Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, or Medigap to see whether any hearing services are covered.)

Where to get help with hearing services

• Sertoma is a civic service organization that helps connect people with hearing assistance; has a comprehensive listing of national and state charitable programs.

• Help America Hear is an assistance program from the Foundation for Sight and Sound providing new hearing aids for low-income individuals.

• The Hearing Industries Association maintains a Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids.

• Some local Lions' Clubs run projects which distribute affordable hearing aids to those in need. Contact your local chapter to see if it offers the program.