A variety of changes have been made to the Medicare Act. We list below relevant changes effective between June and October, 2001. Other changes will be listed in future editions of the Center News as the effective dates approach.

• Effective 6/1/01, the election to enroll or disenroll from a Medicare + Choice plan will be effective the first of the month after the election is made, regardless of the date of the election.
  
  

• Effective 7/1/01, the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage is waived for disabled persons with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gerhigs disease.
  
  

• Effective 7/1/01, Medicare will cover a screening colonoscopy for an average risk individual and biennial screening pap smears and pelvic exams.
  
  

• Effective 10/01/01, there is a new process for review of Medicare coverage determinations. National coverage determinations may be reviewed by the Medicare Appeals Council, Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) or if the issue is the constitutionality of a provision of law or regulations, the moving party can go straight to federal court. Local coverage determinations may be reviewed by an ALJ and then, if desired, can be appealed to the DAB.

© Copyright, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 01/08/2010