Medicare Blog

what grants are labor unions eligible for medicare

by Beth Powlowski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Those who have Medicare based on disability can enroll if they, their spouse, or their family member is working, and have coverage by an employer or union GHP (with at least 100 employees – also known as a Large GHP) based on that employment. If eligible for an SEP, a person can sign up for Part B without a penalty:

Full Answer

What is the Department of labor partner organizations grant program?

The Department of Labor awards millions of dollars in competitive grants to hundreds of partner organizations and participating entities. These programs reach communities from all across the United States, as well as those in partner countries overseas, and have served thousands of individuals.

Is it illegal for employers to contribute to Medicare premiums?

Per CMS, it’s illegal for employers to contribute to Medicare premiums. The exception is employers who set up a 105 Reimbursement Plan for all employees. The reimbursement plan deducts money from the employees’ salaries to buy individual insurance policies.

Where can I find a list of CMS discretionary grants?

Grants.gov - All CMS Discretionary grants can be located here. A centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. The Grants.gov program management office was established in 2002 and is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Can an employer pay for Medicare and Medicaid together?

Medicare Premiums and Employer Contributions. Medicare and employer coverage can work together in some cases. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it’s illegal for employers to contribute to Medicare premiums. The exception is employers who set up a 105 Reimbursement Plan for all employees.

What is the difference between RDS and EGWP?

As a general rule of thumb, EGWP coverage provides a higher base subsidy than RDS plans and even come with catastrophic reinsurance which kicks in when out of pocket costs exceed $5100 or a total of $8140 in total drug costs.

What is RDS in Medicare?

The retiree drug subsidy (RDS) is one of several options available under Medicare that enables employers and unions to continue assisting their Medicare eligible retirees in obtaining more generous drug coverage.

Is Medicare Advantage capitated?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays Medicare Advantage plans a capitated, or fixed, prospective amount to cover care for each beneficiary.

Which Medicare program allows private health plans to administer Medicare contracts?

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare.

What is an EGWP subsidy?

An Employer Group Waiver Plan, known as an EGWP or “Egg Whip,” is program offered by the federal government that will increase federal subsidies for prescription drugs for the retiree health trust. This is an administrative change to how pharmacy benefits are managed for Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents.

How is RDS subsidy calculated?

The subsidy payment is calculated by first determining gross retiree costs between the cost threshold and cost limit, and then determining allowable retiree costs attributable to the gross retiree costs.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

Who is behind Medicare Advantage?

UnitedHealthcare and Humana together account for 43 percent of all Medicare Advantage enrollees, and the BCBS affiliates (including Anthem BCBS plans) account for another 15 percent of in 2018. Another four firms (Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Wellcare, and Cigna) account for another 21 percent of enrollment in 2018.

What is the difference between capitation and bundled payment?

By definition, a bundled payment holds the entire provider team accountable for achieving the outcomes that matter to patients for their condition—unlike capitation, which involves only loose accountability for patient satisfaction or population-level quality targets.

What is a Mac for Medicare?

A Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) is a private health care insurer that has been awarded a geographic jurisdiction to process Medicare Part A and Part B (A/B) medical claims or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims for Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries.

What are the 4 types of Medicare?

There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

What is Section 1876 cost plan?

Medicare Law: Medicare Cost Plans Medicare Cost Plans are authorized by Section 1876 of the Social Security Act. Unlike Medicare Advantage Plans, beneficiaries keep their Medicare Parts A & B, and traditional Medicare kicks in when the beneficiary goes outside the network.

Our grants connect, protect, train, support, and empower workers and job seekers, at home and abroad

Our grants connect, protect, train, support, and empower workers and job seekers, at home and abroad.

Find Available Grants

Supports veteran job seekers with comprehensive services as they confront and overcome the barriers that prevent them from finding and retaining employment.

Check Out Upcoming Funding Opportunities

Builds the capacity of community colleges to equitably increase employment by focusing on specific industry sectors and career pathways that will lead to more rapid reskilling and (re)employment in quality jobs.

Blanca Vidal - OSHA Harwood Training

Longtime nail salon worker Blanca Vidal worked below the minimum wage for years. Then she joined the New York Nail Salon Workers' Association to help educate about workplace rights and protect workers from wage theft. Today she is a trainer with the school, which is funded in part by a Susan Harwood training grant.

Hang Nguyen - OSHA Harwood Training

Hang Nguyen, executive director of Boat People SOS Center for Community Advancement, used a Harwood Training grant to reach Vietnamese nail salon workers in California. The grant helped BPSOS-CCA better address challenging factors in this community including individuals with health problems, language barriers, and limited health care access.

Anna Carlson and Marnee McCormick - MSHA Brookwood-Sago

In a mine, there's no substitute for safety training simulations. MSHA-certified health and safety trainers Anna Carlson and Marnee McCormick have long wanted a mobile training trailer, but lacked the funds. Now our $50,000 grant is making that trailer a reality, making it possible to simulate potentially life-threatening scenarios.

Tim Moore - ODEP RETAIN

Truck driver Tim Moore severely injured his back during a delivery when a dolly hauling a 250-pound load dragged him. Necessary surgery made professional driving impossible.

What does union mean in Medicare for All?

Unions represent 1 in 10 U.S. workers, making it one of the largest institutions nationwide. So what does that mean for “Medicare for All,” a policy that moves everyone into one public plan with no premiums or deductibles? Everyone agrees universal health care coverage is the goal, but not everyone agrees Medicare for All is ...

Who is the largest nurse union?

The largest union for registered nurses, National Nurses United (NNU) — with its more than 150,000 members nationwide — has been leading the campaign for Medicare for All, and praised legislation put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

Why do unions spend more money?

There’s more money for unions to play with if health care costs aren’t on the table. Unions can also dedicate more time and energy on other items like workplace safety, reasonable and predictable hours, diversity issues, and wages increases — perhaps even fight back for deferrals of wage increases in the past.

Is the Coalition of Labor Union Women married to Medicare?

The Coalition of Labor Union Women and several state federations of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest labor federation, and AFL-CIO central labor councils are also on the list. But at least three of the most influential unions NNU named aren’t actually married to Medicare for All: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), ...

How many employees are eligible for Medicare?

If a person is eligible for Medicare due to age, insurance from current work is primary to Medicare if the employer has more than 20 employees. If a person is eligible for Medicare due to disability, insurance from current work is primary to Medicare if the employer has more than 100 employees.

How to contact Social Security about Medicare?

For questions about enrolling in Medicare, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit socialsecurity.gov. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. For those who worked for a railroad or get Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772 or visit rrb.gov. TTY users should call 1-312-751-4701.

Can I enroll in Medicare if I am 65?

People age 65 or older who don’t enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible can enroll later, during the Special Enrollment Period, IF they or their spouse is currently working, and have coverage by an employer or union Group Health Plan (GHP) based on that employment.

Is Medicare Part A free?

Medicare Part A, which helps cover inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care, is free for most people. However, Medicare Part B, which covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services, requires the payment of a monthly premium.

Can I get a SEP if I have COBRA?

Plans that are unavailable to employees (e.g., a plan that only covers self-employed individuals) aren’t considered GHPs. Individuals with this type of coverage aren’t eligible for a SEP.

Is COBRA considered group health insurance?

There are some important things to know about what is and isn’t considered Group Health Plan coverage: COBRA coverage and retiree health plans aren’t considered coverage based on current employment. Individuals who have COBRA and retiree coverage aren’t eligible for a SEP when this coverage ends.

Can I get Medicare if I have a spouse?

Those who have Medicare based on disability can enroll if they , their spouse, or their family member is working, and have coverage by an employer or union GHP (with at least 100 employees – also known as a Large GHP) based on that employment. If eligible for an SEP, a person can sign up for Part B without a penalty:

How to Apply

Resources to assist in applying to a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

Manage Your Awarded Grant

Information and tools to help recipients manage a grant from pre-award to closeout.

Resources

Links to panelist/reviewer recruitment process, previously awarded discretionary grant information, learning tools, etc.

COVID-19 FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Employment and Training Administration grants and programs.

What is the mission of the Department of Labor?

Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

What is the OSH program?

The focus of the program is to provide training and education for workers and employers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces, and to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the OSH Act.

What is CMS L564?

You will need your employer to fill out the CMS-L564 form. This form is a request for employment information form. Once the employer completes section B of the form, you can send in the document with your application to enroll in Medicare.

What is a Health Reimbursement Account?

Beneficiaries who participate can get tax-free reimbursements, including their Part B premium. A Health Reimbursement Account is a well-known Section 105 plan. An HRA reimburses eligible employees for their premiums, as well as other medical costs.

What happens if you leave Medicare without a creditable coverage letter?

Without creditable coverage during the time you’ve been Medicare-eligible, you’ll incur late enrollment penalties. When you leave your group health coverage, the insurance carrier will mail you a creditable coverage letter. You’ll need to show this letter to Medicare to protect yourself from late penalties.

Is Medicare billed first or second?

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, then Medicare becomes primary. This means Medicare is billed first, and your employer plan will be billed second. If you have small group insurance, it’s HIGHLY recommended that you enroll in both Parts A and B as soon as you’re eligible. If you don’t, your employer’s group plan can refuse ...

Is a $4,000 hospital deductible a creditable plan?

For your outpatient and medication insurance, a plan from an employer with over 20 employees is creditable coverage. This safeguards you from having to pay late enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D, ...

Is Part B premium free?

Since Part B is not premium-free like Part A is for most, you may wish to delay enrollment if you have group insurance. As stated above, the size of your employer determines whether your coverage will be considered creditable once you retire and are ready to enroll. Group coverage for employers with 20 or more employees is deemed creditable ...

Can employers contribute to Medicare premiums?

Medicare Premiums and Employer Contributions. Per CMS, it’s illegal for employers to contribute to Medica re premiums. The exception is employers who set up a 105 Reimbursement Plan for all employees. The reimbursement plan deducts money from the employees’ salaries to buy individual insurance policies.

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