Social Security has a new online service – an application for Medicare benefits. This new online application, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete, is for people reaching the Medicare eligibility age of 65 who want to delay filing for Social Security retirement benefits. Currently about a half-million Americans enroll in Medicare each year without applying for monthly benefits.
“Social Security’s online services are the best in all of government and exceed the top private sector companies in customer satisfaction,” said SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. “The new Medicare application is a welcome addition to our suite of online services and will make it easier than ever to sign up for Medicare. I am thrilled that Patty Duke has once again volunteered to help us get the word out. The fact that this time her TV family has joined her makes this even more special and I thank William Schallert, Eddie Applegate, and Paul O’Keefe for their service to America. I also want to thank Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner, who appeared with Patty as a befuddled family physician in some of our spots.”
To apply online for Medicare, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and choose Retirement/Medicare under the header, “Select Below To Apply For.” You will be asked a brief series of questions. If you have a question or need additional information, there are convenient “more info” links. When you’re done, just select the “Sign Now” button to submit the application. There are no paper forms to sign, and usually no additional documents are required. If more information is needed, Social Security will contact you by phone or letter.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
VA Proposes Change to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
Proposed Regulation Change Adds Illnesses to List of Diseases Subject to Presumptive Service Connection for Herbicide Exposure
The Department of Veterans Affairs has added three new illnesses to its list of health problems related to Agent Orange, a move that is expected to make it easier for more than 100,000 veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas to qualify for disability pay.
“This is an important step forward for Vietnam Veterans suffering from these three illnesses,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These warriors deserve medical care and compensation for health problems they have incurred.”
The regulation follows Shinseki’s October 2009 decision to add the three illnesses to the current list of diseases for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed. The illnesses are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.
The Secretary’s decision is based on the latest evidence of an association with widely used herbicides such as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, as determined in an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Even though this is a proposed rule, VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for compensation now so the Agency can begin development of their claims and so they can receive benefits from the date of their applications once the rule becomes final.
Over 80,000 of the Veterans will have their past claims reviewed and may be eligible for retroactive payment, and all who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
· AL Amyloidosis,
· Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy,
· Chloracne or other Acneform Disease consistent with Chloracne,
· Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, (now being expanded)
· Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2),
· Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,
· Porphyria Cutanea Tarda,
· Prostate Cancer,
· Respiratory Cancers (Cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea), and
· Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma).
For more, visit www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has added three new illnesses to its list of health problems related to Agent Orange, a move that is expected to make it easier for more than 100,000 veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas to qualify for disability pay.
“This is an important step forward for Vietnam Veterans suffering from these three illnesses,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These warriors deserve medical care and compensation for health problems they have incurred.”
The regulation follows Shinseki’s October 2009 decision to add the three illnesses to the current list of diseases for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed. The illnesses are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.
The Secretary’s decision is based on the latest evidence of an association with widely used herbicides such as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, as determined in an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Even though this is a proposed rule, VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for compensation now so the Agency can begin development of their claims and so they can receive benefits from the date of their applications once the rule becomes final.
Over 80,000 of the Veterans will have their past claims reviewed and may be eligible for retroactive payment, and all who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
· AL Amyloidosis,
· Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy,
· Chloracne or other Acneform Disease consistent with Chloracne,
· Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, (now being expanded)
· Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2),
· Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,
· Porphyria Cutanea Tarda,
· Prostate Cancer,
· Respiratory Cancers (Cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea), and
· Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma).
For more, visit www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
Friday, March 19, 2010
VA Brings Disabled Veterans Winter Clinic to Colorado
More than 400 injured Veterans have signed up to take part in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., the largest adaptive event of its kind in the world, scheduled from March 28 through April 2.
“This VA Winter Clinic is an extension of the superb rehabilitative care Veterans receive daily at VA medical centers across the county,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Through sports and other forms of recreation therapy, we can greatly improve the quality of life for many of our nation’s heroes.”
On March 11, Shinseki led the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. Since 2005, VA has had a partnership with the U.S. Paralympics that establishes VA’s Winter Sports Clinic as a pipeline to provide participants to American paralympic teams engaged in national and international competition.
The Winter Sports Clinic, which is sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), teaches Veterans with disabilities about adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing. It also introduces them to a number of other adaptive recreational activities and sports. This year's event will feature Veterans from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now in its 24th year, the clinic is an annual rehabilitation program open to U.S. military Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities, who receive care at a VA medical facility or military treatment center.
To meet the unique needs of participants, an estimated 200 certified ski instructors for the disabled and several current and former members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team will serve as instructors.
At the six-day event, Veterans also learn rock climbing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, curling and sled hockey. Other highlights include a self-defense workshop taught by the U.S. Secret Service and the attendance of Olympic Alpine skier Bode Miller.
“This VA Winter Clinic is an extension of the superb rehabilitative care Veterans receive daily at VA medical centers across the county,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Through sports and other forms of recreation therapy, we can greatly improve the quality of life for many of our nation’s heroes.”
On March 11, Shinseki led the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. Since 2005, VA has had a partnership with the U.S. Paralympics that establishes VA’s Winter Sports Clinic as a pipeline to provide participants to American paralympic teams engaged in national and international competition.
The Winter Sports Clinic, which is sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), teaches Veterans with disabilities about adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing. It also introduces them to a number of other adaptive recreational activities and sports. This year's event will feature Veterans from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now in its 24th year, the clinic is an annual rehabilitation program open to U.S. military Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities, who receive care at a VA medical facility or military treatment center.
To meet the unique needs of participants, an estimated 200 certified ski instructors for the disabled and several current and former members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team will serve as instructors.
At the six-day event, Veterans also learn rock climbing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, curling and sled hockey. Other highlights include a self-defense workshop taught by the U.S. Secret Service and the attendance of Olympic Alpine skier Bode Miller.
Monday, March 15, 2010
States Combat Mounting Disabilty Claim Delays
The Social Security Administration's first Extended Service Team (EST) is open for business in Little Rock, Ark. The Little Rock EST will make disability decisions for state Disability Determinations Services (DDSs) that are most adversely affected by the flood of new initial disability claims resulting from the economic downturn and from counterproductive furloughs of employees at the state level.
Later this year, Social Security will open additional ESTs in Madison, Mississippi; Roanoke, Virginia; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The ESTs are in states that have a history of high quality and productivity, as well as the capacity to hire and train significant numbers of additional employees.
“The strategy behind ESTs builds on our success with National Hearing Centers, where cases are handled electronically from all over the country,” Commissioner MIchael Astrue said. “These centralized units have reduced the hearings backlog and improved processing times at some of the hardest-hit hearing offices. This approach clearly works and extending it in this way can help us meet the challenge of unprecedented growth in our disability workloads.”
Social Security expects to receive more than 3.3 million applications for disability benefits this fiscal year (FY), about 700,000 more than in FY 2008. In addition, more than a dozen states are furloughing federally-funded state workers who make disability decisions for Social Security. The combination of increased workloads and state furloughs has resulted in a growing backlog of initial disability applications in state DDSs.
“More Americans than ever are turning to us for help,” said Commissioner Astrue. “I am grateful that Governor Beebe bucked the trend and recognized the value of more of our federally-funded jobs in his state. The opening of the Arkansas EST and our other planned expansions in Mississippi, Virginia, and Oklahoma will significantly benefit disabled workers and their families as well as create new job opportunities to these states during difficult economic times.”
Later this year, Social Security will open additional ESTs in Madison, Mississippi; Roanoke, Virginia; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The ESTs are in states that have a history of high quality and productivity, as well as the capacity to hire and train significant numbers of additional employees.
“The strategy behind ESTs builds on our success with National Hearing Centers, where cases are handled electronically from all over the country,” Commissioner MIchael Astrue said. “These centralized units have reduced the hearings backlog and improved processing times at some of the hardest-hit hearing offices. This approach clearly works and extending it in this way can help us meet the challenge of unprecedented growth in our disability workloads.”
Social Security expects to receive more than 3.3 million applications for disability benefits this fiscal year (FY), about 700,000 more than in FY 2008. In addition, more than a dozen states are furloughing federally-funded state workers who make disability decisions for Social Security. The combination of increased workloads and state furloughs has resulted in a growing backlog of initial disability applications in state DDSs.
“More Americans than ever are turning to us for help,” said Commissioner Astrue. “I am grateful that Governor Beebe bucked the trend and recognized the value of more of our federally-funded jobs in his state. The opening of the Arkansas EST and our other planned expansions in Mississippi, Virginia, and Oklahoma will significantly benefit disabled workers and their families as well as create new job opportunities to these states during difficult economic times.”
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SSA Hearings Backlog At Its Lowest Level in Five Years
Pending Cases Drop Below 700,000; Processing Time Down 72 Days
The Social Security Administration announced today that the number of disability hearings pending stands at 697,437 cases -- the lowest level since June 2005 and down more than 71,000 cases since December 2008, when the trend of month-by-month reductions began. In addition, the average processing time for hearing decisions has decreased to 442 days, down from a high of 514 days at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2008.
“We have decreased the number of hearings pending by almost 10 percent over the last 14 months and cut the time it takes to make a decision by nearly two and a half months. This remarkable progress shows our backlog reduction plan is working,” said SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. “With ongoing support from the President and Congress as well as the efforts of our hardworking employees, I am confident the hearings backlog will continue to diminish.”
Social Security has actively addressed the hearings backlog and increased the capacity to hold more hearings. The agency hired 147 Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and over 1,000 support staff in FY 2009, and has plans to hire an additional 226 ALJs this year. The agency now has four National Hearing Centers to help process hearings by video conference for the most hard-hit areas of the country. The agency also has aggressive plans to open 14 new hearing offices and three satellite offices by the end of the year. The first of these offices was opened in Anchorage, Alaska on February 19, 2010.
The Social Security Administration announced today that the number of disability hearings pending stands at 697,437 cases -- the lowest level since June 2005 and down more than 71,000 cases since December 2008, when the trend of month-by-month reductions began. In addition, the average processing time for hearing decisions has decreased to 442 days, down from a high of 514 days at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2008.
“We have decreased the number of hearings pending by almost 10 percent over the last 14 months and cut the time it takes to make a decision by nearly two and a half months. This remarkable progress shows our backlog reduction plan is working,” said SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. “With ongoing support from the President and Congress as well as the efforts of our hardworking employees, I am confident the hearings backlog will continue to diminish.”
Social Security has actively addressed the hearings backlog and increased the capacity to hold more hearings. The agency hired 147 Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and over 1,000 support staff in FY 2009, and has plans to hire an additional 226 ALJs this year. The agency now has four National Hearing Centers to help process hearings by video conference for the most hard-hit areas of the country. The agency also has aggressive plans to open 14 new hearing offices and three satellite offices by the end of the year. The first of these offices was opened in Anchorage, Alaska on February 19, 2010.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Workers' Comp Question of the Day:
What types of Workers’ Compensation benefits are available?
Workers’ Compensation is intended to help provide three primary types of benefits. First, you are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care for your injuries. Second, you are entitled to wage loss benefits to compensate you for the time you miss from work as a result of your injury. Generally, these benefits are two thirds of your average weekly wage.
If you lose your health insurance, the cost of continuing it or in some cases replacing it should be included in your average weekly wage. Finally, you are entitled to compensation for the permanency of your injury. Once your condition is stable, your physician will assign an impairment rating. This rating is used to calculate the amount of money you will receive for the permanency of your injury.
Do you have a question about workers' compensation issues here in Colorado? Call me today.
Workers’ Compensation is intended to help provide three primary types of benefits. First, you are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care for your injuries. Second, you are entitled to wage loss benefits to compensate you for the time you miss from work as a result of your injury. Generally, these benefits are two thirds of your average weekly wage.
If you lose your health insurance, the cost of continuing it or in some cases replacing it should be included in your average weekly wage. Finally, you are entitled to compensation for the permanency of your injury. Once your condition is stable, your physician will assign an impairment rating. This rating is used to calculate the amount of money you will receive for the permanency of your injury.
Do you have a question about workers' compensation issues here in Colorado? Call me today.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Social Security Disability Question of the Day:
Why can’t I qualify for Social Security benefits—my doctor has told me I’m disabled?
While SSA must take your treating doctors’ opinion into consideration, your doctor does not determine whether you qualify for SSDI. Instead, you have to go through SSA’s process which includes completing an Application and a Disability Report (available online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/).
Do you have a question about social security disability issues here in Colorado? Call me today.
While SSA must take your treating doctors’ opinion into consideration, your doctor does not determine whether you qualify for SSDI. Instead, you have to go through SSA’s process which includes completing an Application and a Disability Report (available online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/).
Do you have a question about social security disability issues here in Colorado? Call me today.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Colorado DWC to Host WC Educational Conference
The Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation has announced plans to host the inaugural Colorado Workers' Compensation Educational Conference in Denver, Sept. 16-17, 2010. The conference will be held in cooperation with the International Workers' Compensation Foundation.
According to the DWC, "[t]he goal of this conference is to educate those who participate in the Colorado workers’ compensation system regarding current statutory and case law, rules, procedures, policies and forms and to provide an opportunity for dialogue among these participants."
Employers, worker representatives, medical providers and their office staff, insurance claims professionals, self-insurers, third-party administrators, safety and human resource managers, claimant’s and defense attorneys, and vocational rehabilitation providers are encouraged to attend. The conference will also feature an Exhibit Hall, presentations and workshops from experts from the Division of Workers' Compensation.
For more info or to register, visit www.coworkforce.com.
According to the DWC, "[t]he goal of this conference is to educate those who participate in the Colorado workers’ compensation system regarding current statutory and case law, rules, procedures, policies and forms and to provide an opportunity for dialogue among these participants."
Employers, worker representatives, medical providers and their office staff, insurance claims professionals, self-insurers, third-party administrators, safety and human resource managers, claimant’s and defense attorneys, and vocational rehabilitation providers are encouraged to attend. The conference will also feature an Exhibit Hall, presentations and workshops from experts from the Division of Workers' Compensation.
For more info or to register, visit www.coworkforce.com.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
SSI Benefits Question of the Day
Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments only paid to the disabled?
No. SSI payments are made also to people who are age 65 or older and have limited income and financial resources. For more information, see www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html.
Courtesy of SSA
No. SSI payments are made also to people who are age 65 or older and have limited income and financial resources. For more information, see www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html.
Courtesy of SSA
Friday, February 12, 2010
SSA Adds New Allowances to Speed Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration added more than three dozen new medical conditions to its list of Compassionate Allowances -- the first expansion since the original list of 50 conditions - 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers - was announced in October 2008. The new conditions range from adult brain disorders to rare diseases that primarily affect children.
“The addition of these new conditions expands the scope of Compassionate Allowances to a broader subgroup of conditions like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” said Commissioner Michael Astrue. “The expansion we are announcing today means tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities will now get approved for benefits in a matter of days rather than months and years.”
Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. It allows the agency to electronically target and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals. In developing the expanded list of conditions, Social Security held public hearings and worked closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and other groups.
New Compassionate Allowance Conditions include:
1.Alstrom Syndrome
2.Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia
3.Ataxia Spinocerebellar
4.Ataxia Telangiectasia
5.Batten Disease
6.Bilateral Retinoblastoma
7.Cri du Chat Syndrome
8.Degos Disease
9.Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
10.Edwards Syndrome
11.Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
12.Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
13.Glutaric Acidemia Type II
14.Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Familial Type
15.Hurler Syndrome, Type IH
16.Hunter Syndrome, Type II
17.Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
18.Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa, Lethal Type
19.Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
20.Leigh’s Disease
21.Maple Syrup Urine Disease
22.Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
23.Mixed Dementia
24.Mucosal Malignant Melanoma
25.Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy
26.Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, Infantile Type
27.Niemann-Pick Type C
28.Patau Syndrome
29.Primary Progressive Aphasia
30.Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
31.Sanfilippo Syndrome
32.Subacute Sclerosis Panencephalitis
33.Tay Sachs Disease
34.Thanatophoric Dysplasia, Type 1
35.Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
36.Walker Warburg Syndrome
37.Wolman Disease
38.Zellweger Syndrome
“The addition of these new conditions expands the scope of Compassionate Allowances to a broader subgroup of conditions like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” said Commissioner Michael Astrue. “The expansion we are announcing today means tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities will now get approved for benefits in a matter of days rather than months and years.”
Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. It allows the agency to electronically target and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals. In developing the expanded list of conditions, Social Security held public hearings and worked closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and other groups.
New Compassionate Allowance Conditions include:
1.Alstrom Syndrome
2.Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia
3.Ataxia Spinocerebellar
4.Ataxia Telangiectasia
5.Batten Disease
6.Bilateral Retinoblastoma
7.Cri du Chat Syndrome
8.Degos Disease
9.Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
10.Edwards Syndrome
11.Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
12.Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
13.Glutaric Acidemia Type II
14.Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Familial Type
15.Hurler Syndrome, Type IH
16.Hunter Syndrome, Type II
17.Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
18.Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa, Lethal Type
19.Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
20.Leigh’s Disease
21.Maple Syrup Urine Disease
22.Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
23.Mixed Dementia
24.Mucosal Malignant Melanoma
25.Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy
26.Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, Infantile Type
27.Niemann-Pick Type C
28.Patau Syndrome
29.Primary Progressive Aphasia
30.Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
31.Sanfilippo Syndrome
32.Subacute Sclerosis Panencephalitis
33.Tay Sachs Disease
34.Thanatophoric Dysplasia, Type 1
35.Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
36.Walker Warburg Syndrome
37.Wolman Disease
38.Zellweger Syndrome
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