Associated Press: Medicare Applications Raise Anxiety for Seniors in Pandemic, (April 29, 2020)

This article discusses how difficult it is for seniors to apply for Medicare during the COVID-19 pandemic because Social Security determines eligibility for Part B, and Social Security offices are closed and working at diminished capacity. Additionally, people over 65 who were still working and had health insurance through work and are now getting laid off, face significant barriers in getting through the Medicare application process. Advocates would like seniors to be held harmless from penalties for failing to apply on time. The reporter interviewed Justice in Aging attorney, Natalie Kean, for the piece who said, “Going through the normal channels is just going to be slow, and it’s not responsive to the increased need right now.”