Social Security’s Homepage Has A New Look

New Hearing Targets Cardiovascular Disease And Multiple Organ Transplants

Webinars Offer Convenient Way To Learn

Open Season Is Now for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Social Security’s Homepage Has A New Look

Social Security’s homepage, www.socialsecurity.gov, has a new look. It now features a service channeling guide on the left side of the page, which lists the top services and information available on the site — the items you and your clients are most likely to need. You’ll find the information or service you want quickly and easily, including:

We continue to offer general topics at the top of the page, and a news section keeps readers up to date on important Social Security news. The large question mark to the right of the page takes you to our frequently asked questions. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov.

New Hearing Targets Cardiovascular Disease And Multiple Organ Transplants

In November, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, hosted the agency’s sixth public hearing on Compassionate Allowances at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  Commissioner Astrue joined Susan B. Shurin, Acting Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, and other Social Security officials in listening to testimony from leading experts on cardiovascular disease and multiple organ transplants. The testimony related to possible methods of identifying and implementing Compassionate Allowances for both adults and children.

To read testimony or watch any portion of the webcast version of the hearing, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

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Webinars Offer Convenient Way To Learn

Social Security offers a number of free video-on-demand webinars for the general public that will keep you informed on a number of topics. Webinars available now include Applying Online for Disability Benefits, Your Retirement Planning Questions Answered, Internet Representative Payee Accounting, Social Security for Wounded Warriors, 2010 Changes to Medicare Extra Help, and Retire Online: It’s So Easy! Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars and watch these webinars at your convenience, and please tell your clients about them as well.

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Open Season Is Now for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Open season for enrollment in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program is underway right now and continues until December 31. Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, and current beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D plan, should decide on their plan options now. 

The Medicare Part D prescription drug program can help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage.

While all Medicare beneficiaries can participate in the prescription drug program, some people with limited income and resources also are eligible for “Extra Help” to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. The extra help is worth an average of $3,900 per year. 

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/medicare.htm.

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