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Insider’s Report: Reopening Plan Set for Social Security Field Offices
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SSA field offices have been largely closed since March 2020, forcing most seniors and people with disabilities to obtain customer service virtually — via the Internet, telephone and video conferencing. This has been a burden for beneficiaries who lack Internet access or adequate technical skills to navigate virtual services.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently indicated that there is progress toward re-opening. Acting SSA Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi announced in a press release that the agency and its three main labor unions have reached agreement on a re-opening plan. The news site Government Executive reported that the target re-opening date is March 30, 2022, “although that date can be postponed if there is another spike in COVID-19 cases.”
According to Federal News Network, the re-opening plan includes an agreement that sets up a “hybrid model of in-person and virtual hearings … as a promising model for the future of work.” The National Committee has advocated for the resumption of in-person hearings and the re-opening of field offices, so long as it could be done safely for seniors and other beneficiaries.
“For now, you should continue to reach us online at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling our National 800 Number or your local office. We will let you know when we are able to restore additional services,” Kajakazi says.
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| Victory for Medicare Beneficiaries |
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Seniors on Medicare soon won’t have to pay for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits, thanks to a rule change from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS announced Wednesday that Medicare will begin covering the cost of home kits sold at pharmacies and other retailers starting in early spring.
It's a reversal of course for the Biden Administration, which last month required insurance companies — but not Medicare — to cover retail at-home test kits. Seniors and their advocates strongly objected to the original policy. On January 24th, the National Committee, along with 50 other advocacy groups, sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, urging that Medicare cover over-the-counter test kits.
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| Ask Web |
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Our resident Social Security expert, Webster Phillips — a Senior Policy Analyst for the National Committee and a 31-year veteran at the Social Security Administration — is here to answer your questions about Social Security.
You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns or submit your question here.
This week's question is: I took 5 years off from working full-time to raise my child. I am back working F/T again but am wondering how severely this will impact my Social Security benefit? Is there anything I can do to make up any potential benefit loss?
Click here to read the answer.
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| Take Our Poll |
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Should the Biden Administration take immediate action to reduce the historically high Medicare Part B monthly premium — which rose 14.5% in 2022 and is taking a large chunk out of the 5.9% Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment?
Take our poll now!
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Ask Web
Whether you’re currently retired or approaching retirement, we can help answer your questions and provide valuable advice on Social Security. |
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Join Now
Your support sustains our campaigns in Washington to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. |
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Broadcasts
Hear directly from National Committee policy experts who discuss the complex issue of Social Security with local media. |
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| Eligibility and When to File |
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NCPSSM Senior Policy Analyst Web Phillips provides answers to common questions about Social Security. (January 25, 2022, KDTH, Radio Interview with NCPSSM Senior Policy Analyst Webster Phillips)
Listen Here →
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| Explaining the rise in seniors’ health care costs |
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NCPSSM Legislative Policy Director Dan Adcock says Big Pharma is partly responsible for the rise in seniors' health care costs, especially the new Medicare Part B premium. (January 10, 2022, WYCB, Radio interview with NCPSSM Legislative Policy Director Dan Adcock)
Listen Here →
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| Lawmakers Seek to Weaken Ban on Surprise Medical Bills |
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It's been less than three weeks since a federal ban on most surprise medical bills went into effect, but Democratic and Republican members of Congress are already teaming up with the for-profit healthcare industry to weaken a key provision in the law, The Intercept reported Monday. (January 17, 2022, Common Dreams, Kenny Stancil)
Read More →
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