Beginning August 1, 47 million women in the U.S. have access to eight new prevention-related health care services, with no cost-sharing.  The Affordable Care Act, requires that coverage of these services take effect at the next renewal date – on or after Aug. 1, 2012—for most health insurance plans. Previously, some insurance companies did not cover these preventive services for women under their health plans, while... 

Political Climate Presidential Race—GOP Primary Now that several Republican primaries and caucuses have taken place, Mitt Romney has taken a considerable—though not insurmountable—lead over his nearest competitors.  Super Tuesday’s most crucial state was Ohio, which Romney narrowly won.  With Rick Santorum winning three states and coming close in Ohio, along with Newt Gingrich’s victory in Georgia, Romney... 

Medicare and Inpatient Services: Coverage, Rights & Resources During Care Transitions Thursday, February 23, 2012 Exclusively for NASW Members 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Credit Hours: 1 CEU(s) Social workers play a key role in helping clients access inpatient medical and rehabilitative care under original Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans. Such assistance is critical as Medicare beneficiaries transition... 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two important announcements related to the Affordable Care Act this week. Thirty-two health care organizations from around the country were selected to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) Program.  The Pioneer ACO program was designed for organizations with experience operating in ACO-like arrangements.  These 32 health care organizations... 

Older Adults Adjusting to New Life Challenges: How Social Workers Help Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Exclusively for Specialty Practice Section Members Sponsored by the NASW Aging Section 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET Credit Hours: viagra for sale 1.5 CEU(s) Presenter: • Forrest Hong, LCSW, C-ASWCM Moderator(s): • Kamilah Omari, LMSW-Clinical and Macro, ACSW Thanks to the emergence of modern medicine and drugs,... 

Now you can apply online in Spanish for Social Security Retirement benefits, Medicare, and Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Not ready to retire? You can get an estimate of your future retirement benefits in Spanish, too. Check out the new services at Social Security Spanish website, www.segurosocial.gov. It’s so easy.  Read More →

The 2010 Affordable Care Act created a new category of health care provider – the accountable care organization (ACO).  ACOs represent a paradigm shift from traditional fee-for-service health care.  These organizations will receive financial incentives to improve the coordination and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries, while reducing costs.  The emergence of ACOs reflects the health care industry’s shift... 

Social Work Reinvestment Act Reintroduced in 112th Congress The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (HR 1106/S. 584) was reintroduced on World Social Work Day, March 15, 2011.  This legislation was first introduced in the 110th Congress, and was important then. It is now even more timely and critical. We are asking for your support once again. Due to societal challenges... 

Faced with several more days of congressional debate, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun processing payments for Medicare Part B claims for services delivered beginning June 1, 2010 and afterward, including those of physicians and clinical social workers. For the third time this year, Congress has been stymied in its efforts to pass legislation that would prevent a scheduled Medicare Part B... 

Action Requested Email your targeted Senator today and urge they support critical extenders legislation, H.R. 4213. Target Senators: Bayh (IN), Brown (MA), Collins (ME), Menendez (NJ), Nelson (NE), Shaheen (NH), Snowe (ME) and Warner (VA).   Background Congress has struggled for weeks over a sprawling “extenders bill” caught between conflicting needs to reduce deficit spending and extend several key expiring...