New Policy Eliminates Paperwork, Allows More VA Staff to Focus on Eliminating Claims Backlog

New Policy Eliminates Paperwork, Allows More VA Staff to Focus on Eliminating Claims Backlog

 

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it is cutting red tape for Veterans by eliminating the need for them to complete an annual Eligibility Verification Report (EVR). VA will implement a new process for confirming eligibility for benefits, and staff that had been responsible for processing the old form will instead focus on eliminating the compensation claims backlog.

　

Historically, beneficiaries have been required to complete an EVR each year to ensure their pension benefits continued. Under the new initiative, VA will work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify continued eligibility for pension benefits.

　

"By working together, we have cut red tape for Veterans and will help ensure these brave men and women get the benefits they have earned and deserve," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

　

VA estimates it would have sent nearly 150,000 EVRs to beneficiaries in January 2013. Eliminating these annual reports reduces the burden on Veterans, their families, and survivors because they will not have to return these routine reports to VA each year in order to avoid suspension of benefits.　 It also allows VA to redirect more than 100 employees that usually process EVRs to work on eliminating the claims backlog.

　

"Having already instituted an expedited process that enables wounded warriors to quickly access Social Security disability benefits, we are proud to work with our federal partners on an automated process that will make it much easier for qualified Veterans to maintain their VA benefits from year to year," said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.

　

"The IRS is taking new steps to provide critical data to help speed the benefits process for the nation's Veterans and Veterans Affairs," said Beth Tucker, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support. "The IRS is pleased to be part of a partnership with VA and SSA that will provide needed data quickly and effectively to move this effort forward."

　

All beneficiaries currently receiving VA pension benefits will receive a letter from VA explaining these changes and providing instructions on how to continue to submit their unreimbursed medical expenses.

　

More information about VA pension benefits is available at

http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension and other VA benefit programs on the joint Department of Defense—VA web portal eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov.　

Increase in SSI Benefits

Americans with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits, specifically Supplemental Security Income, will see an increase in their monthly benefits in 2013.

On Tuesday, the Social Security Administration stated that all beneficiaries will get a 1.7% increase to compensate for a higher cost-of-living. The automatic payment adjustment, also know as COLA, occurs whenever inflation rises.

This increase will go into effect on 12/31/12 for over 8 million SSI recipients.

The maximum federal benefit for an individual receiving SSI will increase from $698 per month to $710. Also, payments to couples on SSI will increase to $1066 from $1048 monthly.

Source: disabilityscoop.com

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment is from October 15^th to December 7^th

What does this mean?

·          Anyone enrolled in a prescription drug plan can switch to another plan for the following year

·          Those who missed the original deadline for Part D can join the program

·          Your medication needs may have changed in the last year – a different plan may provide better coverage

·          Many plans change their coverage and cost from one year to another

How do I get help evaluating my options?

·          Did you know…  Your local Walgreens pharmacist can provide No Cost face to face consultation to evaluate all your plan options.  Families can call to set up an appointment or just stop in to request help anytime.  Walgreens creates a personalized report showing the cost and coverage of each plan

·         Families can also call Medicare:  (800) 633-4227

State of Kansas and Missouri Board on Aging and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Did you know the word Ombudsman is Scandinavian?  In the US, the word has come to mean an advocate or helper.  An Ombudsman protects and promotes the rights of long-term care consumers, working with residents and families to achieve quality care and quality of life.  The program is required by both federal and state law. 

If families have questions or concerns about resident rights, they can call 

(877) 662-8362 Kansas

(800) 309-3282 Missouri

State of Kansas and Missouri Board on Aging and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Your Digital Legacy as Part of Estate Planning

Reports that Hollywood star Bruce Willis is considering legal action against Apple so that he can leave his vast iTunes music library to his children when he dies show that more and more people need to think about their digital assets as they plan for the future.

The actor, best known for action roles in films including the Die Hard series, is said to be thinking about launching a challenge over iTunes rules which technically mean that he does not own the songs that he has downloaded from the service.

Apple’s terms and conditions for the music service state that users are borrowing tracks under licence and do not have the right to pass on the music they have purchased to others, which means Willis is unable to leave his collection to daughters Rumer, Scout and Tallaluh.

It is reported that Willis is considering whether he can create family trusts which will allow his daughters to gain legal access to the collection, while he could also choose to support legal action in five US states aimed at improving the rights that people who download music have.

The story is one of the latest in recent months to shine a light on the issue of digital legacies and how people are slowing realising that they need to consider their online assets when writing a Will or putting plans in place for the future.

Chris Walton, a specialist solicitor in Irwin Mitchell’s Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team, said: “In terms of this issue, lots of people will be surprised to learn that all of those tracks from iTunes – as well as eBooks bought from Amazon for use on Kindles  - do not actually belong to them. It is only natural that you would want to pass them on to a loved one.

“The law will catch up, but ideally Apple and the like will update their policies and work out the best solution for their customers.”

“However, this story also points to a wider issue. People are increasing living their lives online, yet many still fail to recognise the need for them to consider how they would like their various internet accounts and interests to be looked after following their death.

“The grand majority of people have social media accounts on sites like Twitter and Facebook, while others may also have accounts with gambling and gaming sites which could in fact have significant monetary value.

“These assets should not be forgotten about and we would urge anyone preparing for the future to ensure that they consider leaving log-in details and clear instructions on how they would like such accounts to be handled upon their death in their Will or a Letter of Wishes.”

Chris added that it is very likely that online assets will become a bigger part of estate disputes between friends and loved ones in the future if such steps are not taken.

He outlined: “We see a number of cases arise as a result of a person failing to leave clear and comprehensive instructions about a range of matters to their loved ones about their estate, which often means that families face long and emotionally draining legal battles as a result.

“It is vital that people do not allow online accounts to become a new battleground for friends and families.

“By taking simple steps to address the issue of digital legacy in a valid Will created with the help of expert solicitors, people could save those who mean the most to them a lot of heartache in the future.”

Source: www.irwinmitchell.com

Write Your Way to Wellness: The Best (free!) Website & Blog Creators for Caregivers

Article of interest - Click on this link to learn how caregivers can benefit from blogging.

Write Your Way to Wellness: The Best (free!) Website & Blog Creators for Caregivers

Medicare CLAIM Training in Kansas City

Do you want to better serve Medicare beneficiaries and their families?

Have you ever needed help with Medicare or would you be willing to help someone that needs help with their Medicare?  

If so, CLAIM training is available here in the Northland to become a certified CLAIM Volunteer Counselor.

Volunteers are trained by the Missouri Department of Insurance to answer questions and to provide health insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

Dates & Times:

Session 1:  September 10 & 11 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Session 2:  September 17 & 18 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Location:

Clay County Public Health Center
800 Haines Drive
Liberty, MO  64068

If you are interested, please contact:

Christine (at Shepherd Center Northland)
816.452.4536