Obama Admin. Opens Medicare to Same-Sex Married Couples

[ProSense]

Obama Admin. Opens Medicare to Same-Sex Married Couples

by ericlewis0

From Reuters:

(Reuters) - The Obama administration announced on Thursday that same-sex married couples can qualify for Medicare hospital and physician benefits for the first time.

The decision, coming after a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal ban against same-sex marriage, allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine the eligibility of married gay applicants to Medicare, the federal government's healthcare program for the elderly and the disabled.

"We are working together with SSA to process these requests in a timely manner to ensure all beneficiaries, regardless of sexual orientation, are treated fairly under the law," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/03/us-usa-healthcare-medicare-idUSBREA321ET20140403

Cue the howling haters...

Not sure if this is related in any way to the success of the Affordable Care Act earlier in the week, but it sure feels like icing on the cake.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/03/1289415/-POTUS-Admin-Opens-Medicare-to-Same-Sex-Married-Couples

[riqster]

1. That stinking unprincipled corporate sellout.

Just like the Republicans, right? Hell, no point in even voting, right? No difference between the parties at all, at all.






But Seriously, good one, Mister President.

[Cali_Democrat]

2. GOP heads exploding

Two things they really hate, same-sex marriage and Medicare.

[pnwmom]

3. How does Medicare differ for married couples? I always thought that each member

of the couple qualified when that person turned 65. So how would being married affect this?

[OKNancy]

4. I looked it up

It's for housewives, or househusbands who do not have enough work quarters to otherwise qualify.

[pnwmom]

5. Ok, so they get it at 65 because they qualified due to the spouse's having enough quarters?

I should have been able to figure that out. . .

Thanks!

[ProSense]

6. Here's a good post at Think Progress

Same-Sex Spouses Now Recognized for Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment

By Andrew Cray

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that same-sex spouses will be recognized in administering several aspects of the Medicare program, regardless of where the couple lives. CMS works with the Social Security Administration to conduct eligibility determinations and to enroll seniors and individuals with certain disabilities in the program. Social Security updated their own marriage recognition policies earlier this week to streamline the handling of marriage-based claims involving transgender people. The announcement is the latest step implementing the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Social Security will now begin processing Medicare enrollment, requests for Special Enrollment Periods, and requests for reductions in late-enrollment penalties for many same-sex spouses. Eligibility for Medicare Part A and Part B coverage is particularly important for these families, who are disproportionately likely to be uninsured. Medicare Part A coverage is often available without paying a monthly premium, making it important for the many lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who struggle to afford coverage.

CMS’s decision also impacts some people who previously applied for a Special Enrollment Period but were denied eligibility because of DOMA. For some of these couples, Social Security will be able to approve a second request for a Special Enrollment Period, giving more immediate access to Medicare coverage.

For couples in domestic partnerships or civil unions this announcement offers some, but not all of the same opportunities for enrolling in Medicare coverage. Domestic partnerships and civil unions are not recognized for the purposes of Special Enrollment Periods for applicants 65 or older, but for those applicants with disabilities who are under 65, Special Enrollment Periods are available as long as the applicant has coverage through their partner’s current employer.

- more -

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/04/03/3422602/medicare-same-sex-couples/

[pnwmom]

9. Thanks!

[Hekate]

7. Off to the Greatest with this post! nt

[Warren DeMontague]

8. K&R

[sheshe2]

10. K&R!