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Amend the Affordable Care Act, U.S. retail leader tells Congress
A leader with the National Retail Federation asked Congress to change the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate and its definition of a full-time employee. Neil Trautwein, the federation’s vice president and employee benefits policy counsel, testified before the U.S. House…
Medicare Rights University Launched by Medicare Rights Center
The Medicare Rights Center today announced the launch of Medicare Rights University (MRU), a web-based curriculum designed to empower any professional to better help their own clients, patients, employees, retirees, and others navigate a multitude of Medicare questions. Building on Medicare…
North Carolina Social Security Disability
There are currently more than 300,000 North Carolina residents receiving Social Security Disability benefits. While the initial stage of the application process only takes three to four months to complete, most North Carolina Social Security Disability recipients wait a year…
Senator Calls On Feds To Address Autism Wandering
The federal government would provide free electronic tracking devices for children with autism and other developmental disabilities who are prone to wandering under a proposed new law. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is introducing legislation this week to allocate…
What is the effect of having multiple SS numbers?
A FRIEND worked for a company for about 13 years. While in that company, his employer religiously remitted his social security (SS) contributions. He then moved to another company, which issued a new SS number to him and also reported…
Medicare Fraud Prosecutions Set Record for Health Care Fraud
The Justice Department’s Medicare Fraud Strike Force has set record numbers for health care prosecutions in Fiscal Year 2013, demonstrating the targeted and coordinated approach remains strong as the strike force enters its eighth year of fighting fraud against the…
Fitness Pay for Play: Monetary Incentives Encourage Corporate Wellness
Corporate wellness programs can help reduce healthcare expenses, but will employees actually use them? To enhance the effectiveness of these programs, a growing number of companies are offering monetary incentives for participation. A cash payment or reduction in the employee’s health…
25 Conditions Added to Compassionate Allowances List for Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) addition of 25 new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program this month is critical for individuals with those conditions who are seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, according to Allsup, a nationwide SSDI representation…
Medicare Advantage at risk for seniors and disabled
Nearly 15 million seniors and people with disabilities are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in this country. That number adds up to almost one third of the total Medicare population. Some provisions in the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), if…
Legislation would exempt social security benefits from R.I. income tax
A Republican state lawmaker wants Rhode Island to join the majority of states that exempt social security benefits from the local income tax. Rep. Patricia Morgan, R-West Warwick, says the proposal would encourage the some 60,000 elderly residents that currently pay taxes…