Age Spots – by Ruth Dockins
What’s New?
It’s a new year with new information. We have changed our name from Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging to “Aging Matters.” Actually that is not really new information but changing a name is sometimes difficult to get comfortable with. Our name changed several months ago but we are becoming better known by Aging Matters now and that is how we will be listed in the phone book.
We have a new Executive Director, Lana Johnson, who is definitely not new to the organization but is new in the Executive Director position. We have a new Nutrition Project Director, Rhonda Bramlett, and soon will have a new Nutritionist.
Those of us who receive a Social Security check probably have seen a new check amount, because the cost of living raise that folks on Social Security received was 1.7%, not a lot but better than nothing at all.
Many of you are getting used to a new Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) and some of you have chosen a new type of Healthcare coverage. A Medicare Health Plan (Medicare Part C). These Medicare Health Plans are also known as Medicare Advantage Plans. They generally cover what Medicare covers and many times they have a prescription drug component associated with them. If you are new to this type Healthcare coverage one thing to remember is to show the doctor and hospital your new card, this does not mean that you don’t have Medicare it simply means that you receive the benefits in a new way.
If you have chosen a Medicare Health Plan and decide you are not happy with it you have until Feb. 14 to get out of it and go back to original Medicare. Also if you gave up a Medicare Supplement to go into the Medicare Health Plan and it has been less than a year you may even be able to get your Supplement back as well.
There is a new premium for Medicare Part A, it actually went down from $426.00 a month to $407.00. Most of us don’t have to pay that premium, if we have worked and paid in to Social Security for at least 10 years over our lifetime this premium is not held out of our Social Security. The Medicare Part B premium is paid by most of us and it has not changed from last year. It is still $104.90 held out of our Social Security check. There is a program, while not new, is available to help pay that premium if you meet the income requirements. We would be happy to help you check to see if you are eligible for this assistance.
If you are not eligible for Medicare and want to check out a new healthcare insurance plan from the Health Care Market Place you have until February 15 to enroll in or change into a new plan. Go to Healthcare.gov to check it out.
