Things are changing quickly in 2020. We are asked to wear masks and social distance. We are buying our groceries through different avenues and having them delivered to our home or at least our car. Restaurants are offering curbside service and delivery providers will bring you almost anything.  Even the way we see our doctors has changed. My mom’s doctor has her call to check in when she arrives, the office will call her when they are ready to see her. This is responsible and effective at keeping patients separated. Another way to avoid the crowds when seeing the doctor is using a telehealth option.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare will now cover telehealth services. Telehealth is an office visit, psychotherapy or consultation that is provided by an eligible provider who is not at the same location as you, using an interactive 2-way telecommunication system. You can “see” your doctor on your smart phone or laptop without leaving your home. Doctors can speak with you and “see” you and what issues you may have. They can diagnose a new issue or treat ongoing issues. They can prescribe medicines and can offer counseling services. Telehealth should not be used for an emergency. 

There are several benefits to telehealth. First, you limit your exposure to other illnesses. COVID-19 is not the only virus out there. Without the exposure to viruses and other germs, we can stay healthier, even through flu season. There is less time waiting in an office and for those still working less time taken off work for routine appointments. In addition, there is no transportation involved so if you struggle getting to a doctor this could be a great help. Medicare will pay the standard 80% for approved telehealth services.

Another thing that is a change for many on Medicare is making a MyMedicare account. A MyMedicare account lets you have access to your Medicare information all in one place. It is free, it is secure and it is easy to set up and access. If you need to look at a Medicare Summary Notice but have not received it yet, log in to your account. Lost your Medicare prescription card and need your id number, log into your account. Need to know how much of a Part B deductible you have left, log into your account. If you need help setting up a MyMedicare account we will be happy to help you, call Aging Matters 800-392-8771 and we can talk you through the process.

Do not forget if you have not responded to the 2020 Census yet, please do. For every Missourian that does not respond, Missouri loses $1,300. So much funding for seniors, schools, roads and fire departments is based on census data. The more reporting we get, the more funding we get.

Responding is very easy; you can do it on-line CLICK HERE by phone 844-330-2020 or by mail if you received the census survey. You have to report basic information about those living in your home on April1, 2020. The census will not ask you information about your banking accounts or credit cards. It will not ask for a social security number and they will not ask for money or donations.  Door canvassing will begin August 11. If someone comes to your door saying, they are a census worker you can check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you still have concerns, call 844-330-220 to speak with a Census Bureau Representative. If someone claims to be a census worker and they are not, please call your local police. Do not let anyone in your home, census workers will stand outside to speak with you.

The new normal for many of us may mean less social interaction and more reliance on technology, but let’s not forget to go outside on occasion. Sit on the porch and watch the sunset. Go fishing. Go on a picnic. Throw the ball around or watch a game. We can still do all these things and be safe.

If you have questions about Medicare, the 2020 Census or aging in general, please call Aging Matters 800-392-8771.

Timing is Everything

My middle son graduated from high school this year. It was not a traditional graduation; it was a drive thru graduation. We all loaded in a van and Braden hopped out to get sanitized in his cap and gown and then his name was called and he walked across a stage to get his diploma and pictures taken. He then hopped back into the van and we left. I was kind of let down, but he has his diploma so he is happy and ready to face his next challenge; Marine Corps Bootcamp. Graduating during a global pandemic is just bad timing on his part.

My son is 17 and has been working for almost 2 years, being out of school will allow him to “work more and make more money”. He has plenty of energy and time for that to happen. Many of the clients that call Aging Matters are on the other end of that spectrum; they are finishing their careers and trying to figure out what that means for their life.

Retirement, it can strike fear in someone’s heart with visions of boredom or can set the mind adrift in thoughts of free time and blissful relaxation. Most people fall somewhere in the middle and choosing when to retire can be difficult. 

The majority of people become Medicare eligible at age 65. Eligibility can be earlier if you are disabled and drawing a disability check from Social Security. Many seniors who turn 65 are not interested in retiring yet, they want to continue working or they need the income working provides. So what happens with Medicare if I am working when I turn 65? It really depends on your situation.

If you turn 65, are actively working, and have an Employee Group Health Plan through your employer, you can decide to take Medicare or defer it. The majority of people do not have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A, so many choose to go ahead and take Part A. 

The decision to take Part B is more complex. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium; the standard premium for 2020 is $144.60 monthly. If you have coverage through your current work or your spouse’s current work, you can defer Medicare Part B. If you have deferred Part B, when you lose coverage from your current work or lose your employment, you would need to take Part B. To apply for Medicare Part B you have to fill out a Medicare Part B application and submit it to Social Security. That form (CMS 40-B) asks for basic information, you can even indicate on the form when you would like your Part B to start.

Your employer will also have to fill out a form (CMS L564) and submit that to Social Security. The employer will have to indicate when your dates of employment were and that you had insurance through that work. 

Many people defer Medicare Part D while they are employed and have insurance from their job. If your prescription coverage is creditable, as good or better than what Medicare offers, you can put off getting a Medicare drug plan until the insurance or employment ends.

Knowing when to take or defer Medicare’s parts is important because if you do not act in a timely manner you can have penalties and may have to wait to enroll in Medicare. Timing is important with all things Medicare.

If you have questions or need help with Medicare, please call Aging Matters at 800-392-8771

The Annual Medicare Edition

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7 of every year. Open Enrollment allows Medicare Beneficiaries to join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan if they have never enrolled previously. Beneficiaries may also switch their drug plan, or switch between a drug plan and an Advantage plan. Any changes made during this time will take effect on January 1, 2020. 

Medicare Advantage Plans are Medicare approved plans that cover Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B and usually the Part D also. Medicare Advantage Plans sometimes offer services not covered under Original Medical, things like vision, dental and fitness benefits. For 2020, Medicare Advantage Plans can offer even more benefits including transportation to doctors, stipends for over-the-counter drugs and other services that promote health and wellness. These services will vary from plan to plan. Medicare Advantage Plans charge different copayment amounts for their covered services. Most Medicare Advantage Plans have a network of doctors you must use to get the most benefit from the plan. You can check the difference in different Advantage and Part D plans by using the Medicare Plan Finder.

The Medicare Plan Finder is the tool used to look at Medicare Prescription Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. The Plan Finder has been completely revamped for this Open Enrollment; everything is new so if you do not want to be surprised on October 15, I urge you to look at it now. Prescription medicines are entered and the available plans are sorted so the costs for each medicine, the premium amount and the deductible are easy to see. You can also compare the Advantage Plans and see the different benefits they offer. This will allow you to make an educated choice about what coverage you want for next year.

When you are reviewing your plan, coverage for 2020 it is also a great time to check to see if you are eligible for any of the Extra Help programs. For those who meet the income and asset guidelines there is help to pay the Medicare Part D premiums and assist with co-pays for medicine, there are also programs that can help pay the Medicare Part B premium. 

I just want to also mention that there will be some changes for Medicare Supplements in 2020. Medicare Supplement plans C and F will no longer be available for those who become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. For anyone eligible for Medicare before that you can still purchase a C or F plan. If you have a C or F plan, you can stay on it.

Aging Matters will have Open Enrollment events at senior centers, libraries and other locations throughout our service area to assist Medicare Beneficiaries, let us know if you need assistance.

To make an appointment for Medicare Part D or for more information call Aging Matters at 1-800-392-8771.

A Big Win for Seniors

Most everything we do at Aging Matters is a team effort. We all work together to give seniors in Southeast Missouri the best possible meals, programs and services. We also work with all the other Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) in the state of Missouri to effect change for all of the seniors in Missouri. One of our biggest wins is the passage of the Senior Growth and Development Fund. 

The Senior Growth and Development Fund is a sustainable dedicated funding stream that will be used by the Area Agencies on Aging to fund senior programs and services throughout the state. This will allow us to expand or begin services and 50% of the funds go directly to our local senior centers to help them with some of their needs. More funding means more services to a population that is rapidly expanding.

As many are aware 10,000, Americans turn 65 every day. This growth in the senior population has not been met with a similar growth in funding for programs to help these seniors, the Senior Growth and Development Fund will allow AAA’s to provide services to more seniors. 

The Senior Growth and Development Fund was part of SB 275 sponsored by Senator David Sater of Cassville and was amended during the legislative session with provisions relating to the Senior Growth and Development Fund by Senator Wayne Wallingford and Representative Kathryn Swan, both of Cape Girardeau.

Lt. Governor Kehoe signed the legislation in his capacity as Acting Governor due to the fact that Governor Mike Parson was out of the country, but noted the fact he had discussed this specific legislation with the Governor prior to his departure. During those discussions, Kehoe indicated that this was one of the pieces of legislation approved by the legislature this year that he was most passionate about, and both agreed that it would be appropriate for signing by the Lieutenant Governor.

Kehoe also noted that the passage of this law reflected a strong team effort, not only by key legislators such as Senator Sater, Senator Wallingford and Representative Swan, but also by the professional staff in his office and the Missouri Legislature, as well as the countless advocates for seniors at the grassroots level who have worked on this legislation for more than four years.

Kehoe also said that it was appropriate that the official bill signing occurred in Springfield, MO rather than in Jefferson City, noting that sometimes it is “good to get out of the capitol. This is where the real work gets done.”

Getting this funding has been a long journey and we are so thankful at Aging Matters for the amazing team of advocates and supporters we have had. Every Area Agency on Aging in Missouri, the Silver Haired Legislature, Senior Centers and local volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Senator Wayne Wallingford and Representative Kathy Swan, both proudly from Southeast Missouri, worked extremely hard to make this a priority in both the Missouri House and Senate and get the approval needed. This team effort has paid off for all of Missouri seniors and we look forward to making a difference in the lives of Missouri seniors for many years to come. This really is a win for seniors in Missouri!

For additional information relating to this event and to the programs and services administered by Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging, contact Catherine Edwards, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging at: cedwards@ma4web.org, or by phone at: 573-619-6185. Catherine Edwards contributed to this article.