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Some SSA employees offered reassignment (with conditions)
There is little doubt the the Trump Administration’s new initiative to streamline the federal government, with the new DOGE (Dept. of Government Efficiency) as the lead agency, has caused a fair amount of angst among government employees. To this point,…
Rural Hospitals Suffer as Medicare Advantage Plans Prosper
Medicare Advantage plans are private healthcare insurance plans which replace “original government provided Medicare,” and which are increasing popular. The reason for that popularity is that, for little or no additional cost, Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional coverage for…
Can I get Both SS Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
“SSDI” is Social Security’s Disability Insurance program specifically designed to protect Americans who become disabled and unable to work for at lease one year. “SSI” is a Supplemental Security Income program designed to provide assistance to needy Americans, including those…
Rethinking Retirement
If you read the news at all, you are almost certainly aware that America has a “retirement problem.” That is, most Americans are woefully unprepared for their retirement, and likely have no plan in place to correct that issue. To…
Prior Authorizations for Medicare Advantage have surged
Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurers and provides replacement private healthcare coverage for those eligible for “original Medicare.” These private Advantage plans often offer healthcare coverage equal to original Medicare, but often enhanced by additional services such as dental,…
SSA Press Release re DOGE
The newly appointed Acting Commissioner of Social Security (Lee Dudek) has issued a press release which addresses issues recently raised in the media about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As you may be aware, the DOGE is currently reviewing…
10 Things to Know About Medicaid
Medicaid accounts for one-fifth of health care spending, more than half of spending for long-term care, and a large share of state budgets. Medicaid is jointly financed by states and the federal government but administered by states within broad federal…
Redefining “Retirement” (to include working)
The word “retirement” usually conjures up an image of simply hanging up one’s work boots and living a life of leisure, maybe just lounging in a hammock and reading or, perhaps, traveling to exotic places. But in these days of…
Medicare: Free “Screenings” vs. costly “Diagnostic” tests
If you are on Medicare, you likely visit your healthcare professional once a year for your “Wellness” check. And, depending on the results of that visit, your doctor may suggest additional tests based on your health profile. Here it’s important…
Reapplying for Lost SS Disability benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available to those who experience a disability which prevents them from working, but there are fairly stringent rules to qualify for SSDI benefits. Among those rules are: a) the disability must be expected…