Fraternity-Testvériség, 1965 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1965-11-01 / 11. szám

6

FRATERNITY

VALUABLE INFORMATION ON SOCIAL SECURITY

Now that the President has signed the 1965 Social Security Amendments, some people will want to take action right away in order to protect their new benefit rights. Most others will need to take no action at all. As legislation providing health insurance for the aged and making other far-reaching changes in the social security program became effective with the ceremony in Independence, Missouri, July 30, 1965, Robert M. Ball, Commisioner of Social Security, proposed some “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” for the millions of persons who will be affected.

“First of all, let me say to the 20 million people now receiving social security benefits: you don’t need to take any action at all in

order to get the increased cash benefit payments the law provides. The amount of the increase for the months of January through August 1965 will be paid to you in a separate check that will reach you in the latter part of September. The first regular checks reflecting

the seven percent increase will be mailed early in October, covering the month of September.”

Second: social security and railroad retirement beneficiaries now 65 or over will not need to take any action to secure their basic hospital protection under the new Health Insurance Program. All aged persons now on the rolls will have received in September or October a full information kit directly by mail describing this protection, which becomes effective July 1, 1966. Before this effective date a Health Insurance

Card certifying to their eligibility for the services will automatically be sent to beneficiaries 65 or over.

Third: social security beneficiaries will not need to go to the social security office about the voluntary supplementary plan covering physicians’ fees and other benefits. At the time they get the basic information kit, they will receive an enrollment postcard giving them an opportunity to sign up for the added medical insurance program, which also becomes effective July 1, 1966.

Fourth — a special message to people 65 or over who have never worked under social security: although not qualified for cash social security benefits, these people may qualify for the basic hospital insurance protection under the new “medicare” program. Those receiving public assistance from the States may be signed up for the basic hospital insurance by their welfare agencies. Enrollments in the voluntary medical insurance plan can be accepted beginning Sept. 1, 1965. Therefore, persons over 65 who have not worked under social security should wait until September 1st before visiting their social security office. Then they can sign up for the basic hospital insurance and, also, enroll in the medical insurance program if they wish that additional important protection.

Certain other groups affected by the law DO need to take action. They need only inquire at their social security office, the Commissioner said. The major groups involved are:

Persons now 65 or over who are insured under social security but have never applied for benefits. Even though they may still be working full time, it would be desirable for these people to apply now to