September 30 2017 deadline for equitable relief for enrolling in Part B.

When you turned 65 did you stay on an individual qualified health plan such as one from Covered California, instead of enrolling in Medicare?  Do you know someone who did?  Do you have a Part B late enrollment penalty?

If so, you need to act quickly to possibly avoid or reverse those penalties.

This is a very complicated subject, but it appears to apply only to someone who enrolled in Medicare Part A but not Part B, then stayed on an Individual Marketplace plan (such as from Covered California) past age 65 or Medicare eligibility date (if earlier).

Covered California (aka Marketplace plans) and their subsidies were designed for those not eligible for Medicare.  Please note:  It is possible that if you proceed with this program you may have to pay back all or some of the subsidies you received.

Apparently, some plans allowed people to have their plan and to continue receiving subsidies past age 65.  And those people who never enrolled in Part B, or enrolled late and are now saddled with a permanent Part B late enrollment penalty.

The problem is that when that person eventually enrolls in Medicare Part B they will be subject to a 10% late penalty for each year they should have been enrolled.  Additionally, they must wait for the next General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31) for a July 1 effective date.

If you delayed enrolling in Part B to stay on a Covered California and are facing a Part B penalty you should investigate this program.

What if you think you need to act?  Gather up your documents.  You will need proof.

Call Social Security (800) 772-1213.  Call Medicare Rights helpline (800) 333-4114.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Eligibility-and-Enrollment/Medicare-and-the-Marketplace/Downloads/Limited-Equitable-Relief-Fact-Sheet.pdf

If eligible you can enroll in Part B right away or retroactively, without penalty, or have your penalty eliminated or reduced.  Tell them you want help with” time limited equitable relief”.

This information is brought to you as a public service by Paul Davis of Paul Davis and Alberta Bellisario Insurance Services.  CA license 0669770.  818 888 0880.  We are NOT equipped to field questions on this topic.  But, we can help you if you need a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan.

The 2017 Fernando Awards – Paul Davis is a Finalist

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Fernando Award Foundation, I want to thank you for your participation in the 2017 Awards.

From the list of highly qualified nominees with lifetime records of volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley, the Selection Committee went through the resumes and narrowed the field to the Final Five Finalists.  It was difficult to narrow the list to just five since there were so many great candidates.

Congratulations to our Finalists:

David Adelman – Nominated by New Horizons and Pegi Matsuda
Bill Allen – Nominated by Bert Boeckmann and The Valley Economic Alliance
Paul Davis – Nominated by the Encino and Northridge Chambers of Commerce
Horace Heidt – Nominated by Empower Group of Companies and Corefit
Jane Skeeter – Nominated by Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley and NAWBO-LA

The Finalists will be recognized at the 2017 Fernando Awards Gala to be held at CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 9th.  For more information, please visit www.FernandoAwards.org or email event chair, Deborah Sable at TeamCorefit@yahoo.com.

In addition, all nominees will be honored in the program at the event.

The evening will feature Motown-style entertainment from “Les Gemmes” and our special guest emcee, Mickey Stevenson, Motown songwriter and record producer.

The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the 2017 Fernando Award Recipient.  Dinner will follow the ceremonies.  Thank you to our Gold Sponsors: CSUN Foundation, CSUN Tseng College and Republic Services. And thank you to our Benefactors and Patrons who make the evening possible.

Congratulations to all of you who were nominated for this prestigious award and thank you for all you do to make a difference in the San Fernando Valley. A huge thank you as well to those that made nominations and to those who served on our Selection Committee.

Hope to see you all on September 9th!

Gary M. Thomas
Board Member & Past Recipient
Chairman, Selection Committee
Fernando Awards Foundation