Overview & Advisory Team
The Jeffrey P. Ossen Foundation and the Center for Medicare Advocacy have joined forces to advance access to Medicare and necessary home and community-based care. The two organizations are partnering to provide education and advocacy throughout the greater Windham area to help providers, discharge planners, and families understand and access Medicare-covered home health and community-based care.
The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Ossen Foundation work closely with local health care providers, care managers, relevant community members and leaders to spread the word about Medicare coverage and the help available at the Center. The stories and challenges learned through the project will be gathered to encourage necessary systemic change to help all Medicare beneficiaries get the care they need.
An Advisory Team of service organizations and leaders is working together to enhance knowledge about Medicare and the allied organizations and services available for individuals in Eastern CT.
- Rep. Joe Courtney www.courtney.house.gov
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal www.blumenthal.senate.gov
- Sen. Chris Murphy www.murphy.senate.gov
- Connecticut Community Care www.ctcommunitycare.org
- Generations Family Health Center www.genhealth.org
- Mansfield Senior Center www.mansfieldct.gov
- Senior Resources Agency on Aging www.seniorresourcesec.org
- Town of Windham Senior Center www.windhamseniorcenter.org
- Windham Area Interfaith Ministry www.waimct.org
The Center for Medicare Advocacy is grateful to the Ossen Foundation for supporting this important project.
Home Health Overview: Medicare Can Cover the Care You Need In Order To Stay In Your Home
Medicare covers certain health care provided at home when an individual is unable to leave home without help and has a doctor’s order for home care that includes skilled nursing or therapy. There is no time limit to coverage as long as the individual continues to need help leaving home and needs skilled nursing or therapy. When these standards are met, Medicare also covers care provided by home health aides.
For quite some time, the Medicare home health benefit has been misunderstood and underutilized. People are often told Medicare will not pay if a person’s condition is not “improving.” This is not true! Medicare is also available for skilled nursing and therapy intended to maintain a person’s condition, prevent deterioration, or slow decline.
What Services Are Covered Under the Medicare Home Health Benefit?
- Skilled nursing
- Home health aides for up to 28 hours a week combined with skilled nursing care (in some cases, up to 35 hours a week, if needed, as documented by the doctor)
- Skilled physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology services
- Medical social services
- Medical supplies
Helpful Tips:
- Family members cannot be required to help provide care in order for the patient to receive Medicare coverage.
- Home health agencies must submit a claim to Medicare upon the request of a beneficiary. A claim decision is required in order to appeal.
- A new rule prohibits agencies from discontinuing services without a doctor’s order.
- The doctor is the patient’s most important ally.
Resources:
- Radio Interview – Executive Director Judith Stein – https://www.mixcloud.com/wili1400/121420-judy-stein-from-the-center-for-medicare-advocacy/
- Radio Interview – https://share.transistor.fm/e/6d7430e9
- Ossen Project Flyer
- Infographic – the Road to Medicare Covered Home Health Care (English)
- Combined Project Flyer/Infographic (English)
- Infographic – the Road to Medicare Covered Home Health Care (Spanish)
- Combined Project Flyer/Infographic (Spanish)
- Home Health Checklist (English)
- Home Health Checklist (Spanish)
- Home Health Coverage (English)
- Home Health Coverage (Spanish)
Recorded Webinars
A discussion of health care and related issues in Eastern Connecticut welcomed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and our Ossen Community Advisory Team.
A discussion of resources available for Connecticut residents in need of home health care.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined us to discuss health care and related issues in Connecticut. The program included: Medicare Updates and Concerns; Congress/Administration Priorities; 2022 Medicare Enrollment; Q&A with attendees.
Sen. Chris Murphy discusses health care and related issues in Eastern Connecticut, welcomed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and our Ossen Community Advisory Team.
Ossen Medicare Outreach, Education and Advocacy Project Presents: Medicare Basics, Resources & More
Members of the Ossen Medicare Outreach, Education and Advocacy Project Advisory team for an introduction from the Center for Medicare Advocacy including an overview of Medicare basics, in depth descriptions of the Advisory Team and the services they offer the people of Eastern Connecticut, a discussion of holiday needs for Eastern Connecticut residents, and live Q&A.
Ossen Medicare Outreach, Education and Advocacy Project Presents: Staying Safe and Healthy at Home
Members of the Ossen Medicare Outreach, Education and Advocacy Project Advisory team offer an in-depth overview of the project, Advisory team organizational summaries, a discussion of how the Center for Medicare Advocacy can help with access to care, and Q&A.
Rep. Joe Courtney discussing news from Congress, COVID, health care, and related issues, as well as Center staff discussing Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, community resources and engaging in open discussion / Q & A.
Contact Us
Email HomeHealth@MedicareAdvocacy.org