Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
- CMS issued guidance requiring six-month Medicaid Expansion renewals by Jan 1, 2027; excludes aged and disabled pathways and dual eligibles.
- Federal protections remain: ex parte redeterminations, prepopulated renewal forms, eligibility checks before termination, advance notice, and appeal rights.
- Starting March 3, 2026, new Medicare.gov accounts must use Login.gov, CLEAR, or Id.me to log in.
- On March 6, Justice in Aging filed an amicus brief opposing PRWORA reinterpretation that would limit immigrants’ access to essential services.
- New report finds SSA staffing cuts caused delays, errors, denials, and severe harm for people with limited internet, unstable housing, or disabilities.
From DC is Justice in Aging’s weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
CMS Guidance on Implementation of Six-Month Renewals for Medicaid Expansion
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) issued guidance on the new requirement to conduct redeterminations every six months, instead of every 12 months, for Medicaid Expansion enrollees.
The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1) requires all states to implement this change by January 1, 2027. This requirement does not apply to people enrolled through aged and disabled pathways, Medicare Savings Program enrollees, or other individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
CMS offers states two options for transitioning people enrolled in Expansion as of January 1, 2027, to 6-month renewals, including considerations and examples for each option and information on how the new renewal periods must align with the new Medicaid work requirements.
Existing federal protections remain, including requirements that states attempt ex parte redeterminations, provide prepopulated renewal forms, check eligibility for other Medicaid categories before terminating coverage, and issue advance notice before denying or terminating coverage. Enrollees also have the right to appeal adverse decisions.
See Justice in Aging’s Medicaid Defense resources and H.R. 1 overview for additional information on all the Medicaid changes impacting older adults.
New Processes for Logging into Medicare.gov
Medicare.gov allows enrollees to create accounts to access coverage information and Original Medicare claims, print a copy of their Medicare card, and pay Medicare premiums online. Starting March 3, 2026, individuals who create a new Medicare.gov account must pick a log-in method: Login.gov, CLEAR, or Id.me.
People with existing Medicare.gov accounts can (for now) continue to use their existing username and password without using the new log-in methods. Note that, in addition to an online Medicare.gov account, individuals may have separate online accounts for their Medicare Advantage plan, Prescription Drug Plan, or Medigap plan.
More information about the new Medicare.gov log-in process is available in this CMS fact sheet. If individuals are having difficulty accessing their Medicare.gov account, they can access support as described in the fact sheet, including calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Justice in Aging and Partners File Amicus Brief in Litigation Over PRWORA Interpretations
On March 6, Justice in Aging filed a friend of the court “amicus curiae” brief in State of New York vs. U.S. Department of Justice before the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island. In the lawsuit, 22 states challenged five federal agencies’ efforts to expand the scope of public benefits and services considered under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
The agencies’ reinterpretation, counter to longstanding policy, would limit immigrants’ access to essential services such as federally qualified health centers, shelters, and poverty relief programs. It would also impose onerous administrative burdens for anyone seeking these services. Our brief focused on the impact of this policy change on low-income older adults, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals who face barriers to employment.
The National Immigration Law Center, the National Health Law Program, Centers for Public Representation, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and Grantmakers in Health joined the brief in partnership with Gibson Dunn and Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLM.
New Report Details Harms of SSA’s Staffing Cuts
A new qualitative report finds that the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s 2025 staffing cuts, office restructuring, shifting policies, and increased reliance on automated and online systems created major barriers to getting and keeping disability benefits.
Based on interviews with advocates serving more than 8,000 claimants nationwide, the report shows these changes led to longer delays, more errors and denials, and especially severe harm for those – including older adults – who have limited internet access, unstable housing, or have psychiatric, cognitive, or communication disabilities.
Last year, Justice in Aging, along with co-counsel Brown, Goldstein & Levy, filed a federal lawsuit against SSA on behalf of individuals and organizations representing people struggling to access retirement and disability benefits. This litigation remains ongoing.
New Justice in Aging Resources
Justice in Aging Webinar Recordings
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