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Medicare policy changes rattle those who depend on communication devices
For the better part of a year, people who have speech impairment or loss feared that a sudden, and painfully literal, reinterpretation of Medicare policy would diminish their abilities to communicate. Their advocates and the makers of communications devices also…
Disability system for veterans strays far from its official purpose
Illinois Representative Tammy Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both legs in IRAQ, at a Washington oversight hearing, noted: “You, who never picked up a weapon in defense of this great nation, very cynically took advantage of the system,” she…
How to build wealth in small investments
The reaction of a lot of retirees to the recent news that their Social Security checks will rise next year by an average of $20 per month amounted to “Thanks for nothing.” The question is whether they can turn that…
Disability is less a barrier to the arts than attitude is
CATA, based in Great Barrington, Mass., is one of a growing number of organizations across the country that enable people with disabilities to participate in the enrichment and cultural conversations that the arts offer. Almost 25 years after the passage…
Open enrollment for Medicare ends Dec. 7; AAA7 available for assistance
Are you a Medicare beneficiary? Are you aware that open enrollment for some Medicare benefits ends Dec. 7? Open enrollment is the time of the year when changes can be made in the plans and providers you’ve chosen for your…
Confusing ‘comfort animal’ laws lead to 3-year landlord-tennant battle
Diana Alton’s living room table is stacked high with Santa Claus figurines and other Christmas decorations, but until about three years ago the holidays were no cause for her to celebrate. That’s when her doctor told her to get a…
AOA scores important wins in 2015 Medicare fee schedule
Medicare’s 2015 physician fee schedule includes critical changes the AOA has fought for—provisions that will have a long-lasting impact on optometry and the delivery of medical eye care to Medicare patients. “These are significant wins for the AOA, our members…
5 Ways High Income Women Can Overcome Their Retirement Challenges
Are you on track to retire? According to our latest retirement preparedness report, the retirement preparedness of US employees continued to improve last year, especially among women and higher income employees. That sounds like double good news for high-income women…
Seniors’ obesity-counseling benefit goes largely unused
Three years ago, the Obama administration offered hope to millions of overweight seniors when it announced Medicare would offer free weight-loss counseling. Officials estimated that about 30% of seniors are obese and therefore eligible for counseling services, which studies have…
Government Benefits for People with Disabilities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five people is affected by disabilities. Some of those disabilities happen at birth, while others are the result of injury, illness or aging. Despite the limitations these conditions…