Feds To Waive Penalties For Some Who Signed Up Late For Medicare

Medicare has not sent notice of the temporary penalty waiver to enrollees in exchanges run by the states. But Covered California plans to notify its members who are about to turn 65 — or already have — sometime this summer.

California Hospitals Get A Second Law On Notifying Observation Care Patients

A new federal law requires that hospitals give Medicare patients notice after placing them under observation, along with the reason why they were not officially admitted. In California, it comes on top of a state law that requires quicker notice for all observation patients but does not oblige hospitals to explain their decision not to admit.

COBRA, Retiree Plans, VA Benefits Don’t Alleviate Need To Sign Up For Medicare

Thousands of people mistakenly think that if they have insurance, they can wait to sign up for Medicare Part B. Generally, insurance other than that provided by a current employer will not exempt them from Medicare’s strict enrollment requirements.