 | | No State Budget in Sight |
 On September 1st, the 2010 regular legislative session came to an end, and the State legislature adjourned without passing a budget for fiscal year 2010-2011. As previously reported in PASC E-News, the state is currently facing an estimated $19 billion budget deficit, and as a result, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed deep cuts to many programs, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Medi-Cal. Budget subcommittees in both the Assembly and Senate have rejected the governor's proposed cuts to IHSS, but a budget agreement between legislative leaders and the governor has yet to be reached. Once an agreement has been reached, the Assembly and Senate will reconvene in a special session to vote on the finalized proposals. It is not known at this time when this will occur. More information on the status of the budget negotiations will be posted on PASC's website and in future editions of PASC E-News as it becomes available. Additional information on the Governor's proposed cuts to IHSS and Medi-Cal can be found in past editions of PASC E-News. Click here to visit the E-News Archives. Back to top
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| PASC/IHSS Mobile Help Desk Brings Assistance to the Community |
 The PASC/IHSS Mobile help desk was created to bring information about In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC) to local senior and community centers, making it easier for IHSS consumers to get in-person assistance with navigating the IHSS program. The Help Desk travels to different locations throughout the month, where a representative from PASC is on-site to help with answering questions about IHSS and PASC, discuss concerns or issues about the program, and provide referrals to help with other problems that consumers face everyday.
If you would like more information about the Mobile Help Desk or about PASC and the IHSS Program, call the PASC Information and Referral Department at 877-565-4477, or visit our website at www.pascla.org.
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| Getting Help with Medicare Expenses | |
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals over 65 and for individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Medicare helps pay for medical care through three basic programs: Medicare Part A, which helps pay for medical care in a hospital; Medicare Part B, which helps pay for medical care outside of a hospital; and Medicare Part D, which helps pay for prescription drugs.
Although Medicare can be helpful in getting you the care that you need, there are premiums, co-pays, and deductibles associated with the program. If you think you might benefit from Medicare coverage, but have a limited amount of income, there are several programs that can provide assistance by covering your out-of-pocket expenses. Below are a few examples.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
The QMB program assists recipients by paying for all or part of the premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance payments associated with Medicare Parts A and B. In order to be eligible for the QMB program, you must:
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Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program
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Have a gross income of less than $903/month if single, or $1,215/month if married
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Have assets (cash, stocks/ bank accounts) totaling less than $6,600 for individuals or $9,910 if married (does not include one home, one car, life insurance, prepaid burial plan, or personal belongings)
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Meet the eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
The SLMB program assists recipients by paying for the monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In order to be eligible for the SLMB program, you must:
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Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program
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Have a gross income of less than $1,083/month if single, or $1,457/month if married
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Have assets (cash, stocks/ bank accounts) totaling less than $6,600 for individuals or $9,910 if married (does not include one home, one car, life insurance, prepaid burial plan, or personal belongings)
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Meet the eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal
Qualified Individual (QI) Program
The QI program also assists recipients by paying for the monthly premium for Medicare Part B, but has a higher qualifying income limit than the QMB and SLMB programs. In addition, individuals eligible for the QI program are automatically enrolled in the Part D Low Income Subsidy Program, which helps pay for all or part of the premiums, deductibles, and co-pays associate with Medicare Part D. In order to be eligible for the QI program, you must:
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Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program
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Have a gross income of less than $1,219/month if single, or $1,640/month if married
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Have assets (cash, stocks/ bank accounts) totaling less than $8,100 for individuals or $12,910 if married (does not include one home, one car, life insurance, prepaid burial plan, or personal belongings)
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Meet the eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal
If you think you or someone you know may be eligible for the QMB, SLMB, or QI programs, contact the L.A. County Department of Social Services (DPSS) at 877-597-4777 to apply.
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Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! Note: If you do not wish to receive future editions or would like to update your profile with us, please scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on either " SafeUnsubscribe" or " Update Profile/Email Address." | | Free Publications from the National Institute on Aging | |
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is currently providing access to a variety of free publications that can be informative and helpful for IHSS consumers, providers, family members, and others. The publications cover various topics such as caregiving, men's health, women's health, healthy aging, Alzheimer's Disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and more.
To view the publications available, visit the NIA's website at www.nia.nih.gov where you can download them in PDF format, or request that hard copies be sent to you in the mail.
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| Upcoming Trainings and Events
Click on event for more information |
For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org.
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Legislation Watch
Click on bill for more information |
AB 1763 (Lieu) - In-Home Supportive Services: This bill would have required counties and public authorities to accept clearances of Criminal Background Investigations (CBIs) conducted on IHSS providers in other counties for the purpose of provider eligibility. However, it was not voted on by the full Senate before the adjournment of the 2010 legislative session. No further action can be taken on this bill.
AB 2274 (Beall) - IHSS: This bill will allow a person who receives IHSS from either a contract or managed care organization authorized through a federal waiver, to select any qualified person to be their care provider. This bill was passed by the Senate on August 30th and has been sent to the Governor for signature.
AB 2374 (Nestande) - IHSS Pilot Project: This bill would have delayed the establishment of a pilot project in five counties that will allow persons with significant disabilities or impairments to choose between receiving IHSS either through a public authority or a contracting voluntary nonprofit or proprietary agency. However, it was not voted on by the full Senate before the adjournment of the 2010 legislative session. No further action can be taken on this bill.
SB 886 (Florez) - IHSS: E-Timekeeping: This bill would have allowed IHSS providers to use electronic timekeeping (i.e., via telephone or internet) for purposes of verifying hours worked. However, it was not voted on by the full Assembly before the adjournment of the 2010 legislative session. No further action can be taken on this bill.
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