Recent findings show an information gap among Medicaid recipients regarding the need to re-enroll for benefits after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. Medicaid recipients are inconsistently informed about the end of the PHE and its effect on their health insurance benefits in terms of the amount of information they have and where they receive their information.  The PHE has been extended several times. The latest extension expires on January 11, 2023, with a 60-day notice before the end of the PHE. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in March 2020. The FFCRA prohibits states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients until the PHE ends. In addition to the ban on disenrollment, the FFCRA stopped the redetermination of eligibility. This kept more than 20 million people covered by health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.When the PHE ends, the FFCRA provisions that keep low-income people insured will end, leaving many people without benefits after the redetermination of eligibility resumes.Have You Heard About the Public Health Emergency Ending? Statistically, most people covered by Medicaid do not know that the PHE is coming to an end. The end of the PHE means that Medicaid health insurance benefits will also end. Studies show the following rates of information among Medicaid participants: 62% of Medicaid recipients did not know about the end of the PHE and the need for redetermination.16.2% of Medicaid enrollees stated that they heard something about the PHE ending but did not have any further information.15.7% of beneficiaries only knew very little about the end of the PHE and the redetermination of Medicaid benefits.Only 5% of Medicaid recipients reported that they were well-informed about the end of the PHE and the need for the redetermination of benefits.Information Medicaid Participants Have: Statistics Medicaid participants are getting information about the end of the PHE and health insurance benefits from the following variety of sources:34.3% from traditional or social media24.5% from their health insurance company30.6% from a state agency17.8% from their doctor or another health care provider6.5% from some other source than those listed aboveThere is a significant information gap among Medicaid participants. The inconsistency of information may lead some Medicaid enrollees to suffer negative consequences, including unexpectedly losing their health insurance coverage.There is no one person or agency that everyone agrees should inform Medicaid participants about when redetermination resumes. Currently, Medicaid enrollees are responsible for staying updated about the end of the Public Health Emergency. To stay updated on the end of the PHE and any changes to Medicaid benefits, keep an eye on your states Medicaid website, check your mail or email for important correspondence, and visit the Medicaid.gov website for new information.

After experiencing a life-changing stroke or other illness, your doctor may recommend rehabilitation as the next step in your journey to recoverybut what does that mean, and where should rehabilitation take place? These settingsknown as post-acute careinclude home health, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals. Should you need additional care, your care team could refer you to one of these settings based on your abilities and goals; but as a patient, you have the right to choose where you go for post-acute care.Your doctor said you need rehabilitation. What next?Independent studies show that inpatient rehabilitation hospitals are a better setting for stroke, hip fracture, and hip replacement patients. Unlike skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals are required to provide at least three hours of therapy five days a week and will allow access to trained physicians and rehabilitation equipment and technology that may not be available elsewhere.On average, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals have a lower length of stay and discharge more patients home than skilled nursing facilities. This means inpatient rehabilitation hospitals are able to help individuals return to their families, their jobs and their communities more effectively and more quickly.The services delivered at inpatient rehabilitation hospitals serve as a next step for many patients who are ready to leave the acute care hospital, but need extra rehabilitation and recovery before returning home. Doing your research and selecting the right inpatient rehabilitation hospital is a critical step for a successful recovery.Your local inpatient rehabilitation hospital of choice. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Lisa Hopkins, OTR/L, of Encompass Health Harmarville Sewickley Kennedy.  At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville and Sewickley, we are committed to helping you regain independence after a life-changing illness or injury. Serving Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, we are a leading provider of inpatient rehabilitation for stroke, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions. To learn more, visit encompasshealth.com.

A child may be eligible for Social Security benefits when at least one parent qualifies for Social Security retirement, disability, or death benefits. Children receive these benefits based on their parent's work records. In 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provided an average of $2.8 billion in benefits to 4 million children each month.Children who may get Social Security benefits can also include: Adopted children Step-children Financially dependent grandchildrenChildren of a retired or disabled parent or grandparent may receive up to one-half of the parent's full benefit amount. When a parent who worked long enough to meet the SSA's criteria dies, their child may receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parents survivor benefits. These benefits may be granted to children until age 18. However, if a child is still in elementary or high school, the child may continue to get benefits until he or she either graduates high school or else reaches the age of 19 years and 2 months old. Children who became severely disabled before turning 22 may continue acquiring benefits as adults. In most cases, a child with a disability must be unmarried to receive benefits. The maximum family paymentThe SSA applies a maximum family payment to families receiving benefits through a parent's work record. The maximum family payment ranges from 150 percent to 180 percent of the parent's full benefit amount. Sometimes, the amount payable to all family members surpasses the limit. When that happens, the SSA decreases each family member's benefit proportionately. In other words, children with more siblings may receive smaller individual benefits than children with fewer siblings.Other SSA Programs SSI  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is separate from Social Security retirement, disability, and death benefits.SSI is a needs-based program that provides benefits to individuals, including children, with certain disabilities and who reside in low-income households. According to the SSA, for a child to qualify for SSI, the child must have a severe physical or mental condition that limits the child's activities and has either lasted one year or is expected to be fatal.With regard to household income, the SSA subjects families receiving SSI to strict income thresholds and periodically reviews each child's disability status. SSDI  Upon turning 18, an individual with a severe disability may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), another SSA program. The individual must have become disabled before age 22.When a child with a disability turns 18, parental income no longer determines whether the individual will receive benefits. Instead, the SSA looks at the individual's income. If the individual is married, the SSA considers the spouse's income. Thus, children who weren't eligible for SSI because of parental income may qualify for SSDI upon turning 18. Applying for Social Security benefits Parents and guardians may apply for Social Security benefits for their children. To apply, you may need:The parent's Social Security numberThe child's Social Security number The child's birth certificateProof of adoption, such as the adoption certificate, for adopted childrenEvidence of the parent's death, such as the death certificate, for survivor benefitsThe medical documentation of the child's disability for children with disabilitiesVisit ssa.gov to learn more.

Its Not an Indulgence, Its a Necessity.According to the National Institute on Aging, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver.If youve ever traveled by airplane, you know the flight attendants safety instructions always say to place your oxygen mask on yourself before placing one on your travel companion and theres a good reason for this: Its because, if you dont take care of yourself first, you significantly reduce your chances of being able to save either of you.The same is true of caring for a loved one with dementia: If you dont allow yourself to stop and catch your breath, youll both be headed for a tailspin. Being a caregiver is a constant stressor. Stopping to take some me time isnt an indulgence, its a necessity.Caregivers who provide substantial care to a loved one with memory care or assisted living needs involvement with health care activities, care coordination, and medication management are more likely to develop physical and emotional health problems themselves, according to a Na-tional Health and Aging Trends Study.Caregiving is not easy for anyone not for the caregiver and not for the care recipient. There are sacrifices and adjustments for everyone. Whats more, as your loved one moves through the stages of Alzheimers disease, caregiving will likely become even harder. Make sure you are making time for yourself.Remind yourself that its okay to ask for help. You may feel self-doubt or guilt that what youre doing isnt enough. You might also feel resentment that your free time has been consumed by providing care. These are all perfectly normal emotions in your situation. Consider joining a caregiver support group to relieve your sense of isolation.You may come to the realization that you can no longer care for your loved one by yourself, and need to enlist respite or residential care. Open yourself up to the possibility that your loved one may actually benefit from being part of a memory care community, filled with professional caregivers and a lifestyle filled with stimulating, purposeful experiences.Youre likely to discover that you each quickly feel relief from stress, reconnect with your past selves, and get second chances at fulfillment that you thought were lost forever.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Mary Jo Greene of Artis Senior Living of South Hills and may be reached at 412-212-6221 or online at www.TheArtisWay.com/BlueBook