National Health Coverage
With BEC on your team, you will understand the intricacies and complexities of the Disability Benefits System
On the Medicare Home Page, scroll to the bottom section entitled "Search Tools" in order to compare Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plans, find out if you are eligible, learn how to apply, and access other information. Also see more specific Medicare-related links below.
Contact Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Find out how to contact Medicare directly, give website feedback, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Provides links that explain Medicare benefits.
A handbook (PDF format) put out by the Centers of Medicaid and Medicare Services that provides basic information about Medicare. Look up the topic of your choice easily by using either the Table of Contents or the List of Topics section found at the beginning of the handbook.
Medicare Part B Premiums Update - Part 1
This is a fact sheet for those already entitled to Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part B Premiums Update - Part 2
This is a fact sheet for those filing for Medicare for the FIRST time or for those already receiving Social Security benefits and just becoming eligible for Medicare.
This site is easy to navigate and helps individuals find Medicare plans available in their zip code, as well as to compare premiums and coverage costs.
Medicare Rights Center of NY and DC
Lots of simple answers to common questions.
Helps individuals learn about, choose and enroll in the Medicare Prescription Drug plan that is best for them.
True Out-of-Pocket Threshold (TROOP)
Lists Medicare Drug Coverage: Beneficiary Cost Sharing for 2009, including True Out-of-Pocket Threshold.
Breakdown of 2009 Medicare Drug Coverage: Extra Help for Low-Income Beneficiaries
Medicare
Health Coverage Continuation
Medicaid
General
National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD) provides a complete listing of State Medicaid Offices.
Provides a technical summary of the scope of Medicaid Services available.
Effective July 1, 2006, Public Law No. 109-171 Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Section 6036 requires individuals to provide satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality when initially applying for Medicaid or upon a recipient's first Medicaid re-determination. Click link for further details or read the "Proof of Citizenship Brochure" linked below.
Explains new eligibility requirement for Medicaid and lists forms of documentation accepted.
Explains 1619(b) provisions and lists threshold amounts for each state.
COBRA - Frequently Asked Questions
The US Department of Labor provides answers to frequently asked questions about COBRA on this web site.
COBRA - State by State Variation
Lists state variations of COBRA Laws and links to sign up for health care in different states
State-by-state Mini COBRA list
Part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) - This Fact Sheet explains the federally funded subsidy to COBRA insured individuals unemployed from Sept. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2009
Families USA Special Consumer & Provider Alert on Mini COBRA
In this serious economic down turn in our economy the Benefits Education Center is always on the lookout for information critical to protecting your healthcare benefits. Please take the time to read the attached report (4/09) on the latest federal efforts to assure your health insurance is still there and affordable during this economic crisis.
Provides information about high risk health insurance plans for individuals who have been denied health coverage because of a serious medical condition. These plans are offered in many states through a high risk pool.
Farmworker Health and Safety Institute
Provides technical assistance and leadership development to farm workers through their organizations so that they can better protect themselves from pesticide exposure.
2009 Federal Poverty Level - Human Health & Services (HHS)
Often used to determine program eligibility.
Federal Poverty Level (Search by Year) - Human Health & Services (HHS)
Often used to determine program eligibility.
HIV/AIDS
Prescription Programs
Native American Services & Resources
Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC)
ABC has developed a powerful, Web-based decision support tool to help beneficiaries, as well as family caregivers and organizations who wish to help them learn about and enroll in valuable government and private programs that can lower their prescription and health care costs.
Serves as an information gateway to guide users to Federal domestic HIV/AIDS information and resources.
Provides links to state programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
Contact information for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV/AIDS hotline and other resource
The US Department of Health and Human Services Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Living Healthy in Native America
An online resource guide for preventing diabetes.
National Council of Urban Indian Health
Helping American Indian and Alaska Natives living in urban communities to obtain quality & accessible health care.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Overview of PACE provided here. For links to provider application and related resources, a list of PACE Provider organizations, and other related information, see menu items on left side of page.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Determine eligibility for prescription coverage programs and apply online.
A comprehensive directory of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). This site contains information for both health care practitioners and patients.
A Patient Assistance Program (PAP) offering reduced rate prescriptions to individuals and families with incomes of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)
Pharmaceutical coverage or assistance, primarily to low-income elderly or persons with disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid.
State Departments of Aging - Listed by State on the National Association of State Units on Aging
Provides links to the State Insurance Department websites that contain information about Medigap (Medicare supplemental insurance) plans sold in each state.
State Health Insurance Counseling & Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
SHIPs can assist people with Medicare through one-on-one counseling and education. Thousands of volunteers in each state, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands are available to assist people with Medicare.
Veteran's Health Care Benefits (Home Page)
US Department of Veteran's Affairs Home Page. See more specific links below:
General information about health care eligibility. Scroll to bottom of eligibility page for information about enrollment.
VA Inquiry and Routing Information
This page contains links to: Contact VA Toll Free, Find a VA Facility, Ask a Question, view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and other information.
Veteran Benefits
Benefits Education Center
1031 Franklin Street, Suite 1106 · San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone 415-345-1725 · Fax 415-962-0417
email: info@benefitsec.com
Copyright © Benefits Education Center 2007