Ray's Round Up: Social Security and Medicare Beneficiaries to Benefit from Federal Budget Agreement

Once again there was little progress toward resolving the state budget impasse in Harrisburg so we turn to Washington, DC for the big news of the week…

 

What this means for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries:

•  Millions of Medicare enrollees faced at least a $55/month increase in their premiums for 2016, based on a calculation formula used by the federal government.  This would have impacted Medicare beneficiaries who do not collect Social Security, high-income beneficiaries, and those turning 65 who will enroll in Medicare for the first time in 2016.  The budget agreement reduces this increase from $55 to about $15/month in 2016.
• The standard deductible for everyone enrolled in Medicare was set to rise by $76, but the budget agreement reduces that amount to a $20 increase. This sets the deductible at $167 for 2016.
• The financial condition of the Social Security disability fund will be stabilized. Many analysts feared this fund could have faced a situation where it would have been unable to make full Social Security disability payments in 2016 unless action was taken.
• Married couples can expect changes to the spousal benefits claim process for Social Security. The budget agreement eliminates the option to claim spousal benefits at different times than standard benefits maximizing the total amount received from Social Security for certain couples and negatively impacting the financial condition of the program.
• A stronger crack down on Social Security fraud, particularly around Social Security disability, by requiring all disability applications to be signed and separately reviewed by licensed physicians. Additionally, there will be increased penalties for fraud.

 

Long-Term Care Council legislation moves close to final legislative approval in General Assembly

On October 26th, the State Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved legislation already passed by the State House to re-establish a Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council.  The bill is on the Senate calendar to be considered when they return to session on November 16.

With the 85+ population being the largest consumers of long-term services and supports, and the fastest growing segment of Pennsylvania’s population, the need to have a comprehensive approach to issues impacting long-term care is critical.  The Council will consist of representatives of consumer and providers of long-term services and supports as well as governmental officials involved in regulating and funding long-term care. The Council will be tasked with developing a plan to ensure Pennsylvanians get the care they require in the setting they desire and which is most appropriate to their needs.

Representative Linda Schlegel Culver of Northumberland and Snyder Counties sponsored this legislation and one of its true champions is Sharon Schwartz, the Executive Director of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.  Schwartz is retiring on October 30th after 35 years of service as a legislative staffer in the House of Representatives.  She has been a true champion for the concerns of older Pennsylvanians and her knowledge and passion will be missed.

 

“Ray’s Round Up” features updates on current state and federal issues by Ray Landis, AARP PA’s Advocacy Manager.