Age Spots by Jackie Dover
Save money on Medicare
Everyone loves to save money. Many people I know have an almost competitive instinct to save the most money or get the best bargain when shopping. Saving money is a great thing. Did you know that you could save money on Medicare? There are several programs that could help those who qualify pay for almost every part of Medicare.
The Low-Income Subsidy or Extra Help program can pay all or a portion of your Medicare Part D prescription premium. It also will reduce the deductible and limit how much you have to pay for a prescription. That can add up to some incredible savings if you qualify. For a single person you have to make less than $1,471 monthly and have assets less than $13,640, a married couple has to make less than $1,991 monthly and have assets lower than $27,250.
There are also programs that can pay the Medicare Part B premium. The Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) can pay the $104.90 or $121.8 that is held out of your Social Security check. That would be like getting a raise, and more money in your pocket is always a good thing. The income guidelines for these programs start at $1,345 a month for a single person with assets of less than $7,280. For a couple the highest qualifying income is $1,813 monthly with assets less than $10,930. One of the MSP programs also pays the Medicare A & B deductibles and co-pays, the income guidelines for that begins at $1,001 monthly for a single person and $1,348 for a couple, the assets limitations are the same for all the MSP programs.
Lastly, there is the Missouri Rx Plan (MORx). The MoRx will pay half of your Medicare prescription co-pays. The income for a single person is $1,805 and $2,428 for a couple, there are no asset guideline with this program.
If you think you might qualify and would like to keep a little more money in your pockets, please call Aging Matters at 573-335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771.
Silver Haired Election to be held May 3
The Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) is a formally elected body of citizens 60 years of age or older that promote conscientious legislative advocacy for Missouri’s older adults.
All members are volunteers who serve without pay. Currently there are no term limits so a delegate may be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms. The elected delegates participate in a mock legislative session patterned after the MO General Assembly. The session is held in Jefferson City in the fall of each year. Many of the activities take place in the Senate and House chambers of the Capitol building.
The SHL delegates work all year as advocates for senior issues. They are kept abreast of proposed legislation and stay in touch with the legislators. Many of the legislators contact the SHL delegates asking for their input on proposed legislation.
There are 10 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Missouri and SHL delegates are elected from each AAA area. This brings about 150 seniors together in Jefferson City to present bills, debate issues, and choose the top five for which they will advocate during the year.
If you are interested in becoming a SHL delegate you should file a Declaration of Candidacy with Aging Matters, the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging office. This statement must arrive in the office by close of business on April 12. You may obtain an application by contacting our office at 1-800-392-8771 or locally at 335-3331 or pick one up at your local senior center. There are four seats up for election this year, one Senate seat and three Representatives.
The May 3 election will be held at the area senior centers during regular business hours. Contact our office to learn more about this very important program.
Age Spots by Jackie Dover
Hospice: A Four Letter Word
At a recent meeting, a hospice provider gave a presentation about their services. She spoke about many myths about hospice and also the benefit people experience from using hospice. Hospice care is a much underutilized program that is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance.
Hospice care covers doctor and nursing services, medical equipment, some prescriptions and many more services. One of the amazing aspects of hospice is that it provides emotional and spiritual support for the patient and their family. These services are provided at a time when most patients and their families need the services the most, at the end of life.
Hospice care is for people with a life expectancy of 6 months or less (if the disease runs its normal course). If you live longer than 6 months, you can still get hospice care, as long as the hospice medical director or other hospice doctor re-certifies that you’re terminally ill (with a life expectancy of 6 months or less).
When telling us about their hospice program the presenter was asked what she would like people to know about hospice. She responded that she wished more people understood all the benefits, hospice has to offer. It’s not for people who have given up on life; it’s for those who want the best quality of life possible, for as long as possible. The earlier someone is on hospice the more support they receive. She also stated she wished people would just ask questions, start a conversation. Hospice isn’t a four letter word we should be scared to talk about. It’s a program that offers peace and comfort.
Many hospice programs also offer palliative care for those who have chronic illnesses or injuries; this program is not dependent upon prognosis. Palliative care works with you, your family and doctors to give you complete care and support in managing your illness. Palliative care can help lower hospital readmission rates, address your emotional and spiritual concerns and those of your caregivers and improve your quality of life during your illness.
If you have questions please contact a local hospice provider or call our office, Aging Matters, 1-800-392-8771 or 573-335-3331.
Information for this article can be found in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services booklet Medicare Hospice Benefits CMS Product No. 02154.
Age Spots-by Jackie Dover
Making Changes for the New Year
As we welcome a New Year, Aging Matters wishes Ruth Dockins much happiness in her retirement adventures. Ruth has been an amazing advocate for seniors for over 20 years and has been a mentor to me for the last 10. I know there is no way to replace her, but I will do my best to make her proud.
This is a very busy time for us at Aging Matters and one of the most important things we do is helping those who qualify for the “Circuit Breaker” program, also known as the Missouri Property Tax Credit (MOPTC). This credit returns a maximum of $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners who owned and occupied their home. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income.
To qualify for the Circuit Breaker you or your spouse must be 65 as of December 31, 2015 or 100% disabled. Also, those who are 60 or older and receiving surviving spouse social security benefits could qualify. You must be a Missouri resident with total household income of $27,500 or less for a single renter, $29,500 or less for a married couple who rents. If you own your home your income must be below $30,000 if single and $34,000 for a married couple. If you are veteran with 100% service connected disability, your VA payments are not counted as income.
Forms can be downloaded from the MO Department of Revenue website www.dor.mo.gov or by calling our office at 335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771.
Special Note: Jackie Dover is the new Public Information Director for Aging Matters. She is a mom of four boys and has worked at Aging Matters for over 10 years. Aging Matters serves 18 counties in Southeast Missouri.
Submitted by Ruth Dockins, Age Spots
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - An area-wide event called “A Time to Pray” is planned for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
The prayer service is an inter-denominational event with speakers from area communities, including: Dorothy Wilson, Lucas Presson, and Doug Austin of Cape Girardeau; Mike Cowan of Oak Ridge; Scott Eakers, Father John Harth and Sam Roethemeyer of Jackson.
“There are so many issues in the world today, but our first response should be prayer,” said Doug Austin, one of the organizers. “This event is about prayer, seeking God’s guidance and exalting His name.”
The speakers will lead the group in prayer and highlight specific mentions of prayer in the Bible with focus on the 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Age Spots – by Ruth Dockins
Good-Bye
Well, after 20 years I have finally decided to retire. It has taken a lot of prayer and thought to make this decision but it has now been made. I plan on continuing to work through the Medicare Part D open enrollment and maybe a few days after that but will be gone by the end of the year.
I am happy to report that Jackie Dover, my assistant for about 8 years now, will be taking my place, and believe me, you will be in great hands. Jackie is smart, funny and very responsible. She is planning on continuing this column, so look for up-to-date information from her about Aging Matters.
Aging Matters is the name of our agency now, and has been for about a year. It seems to fit our mission so well. Another bit of news is that our office is moving (may have already moved by the time you read this). Our new address is: Aging Matters, 1078 Wolverine Dr., Suite J, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. It is going to be so much easier for our clients to get into and out of the building and we’ll have more room for our staff. It’s located on the west side of Cape Girardeau, off I-55 at exit 95 and hwy74. Just give us a call at 573-335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771 and we’ll be happy to give you directions.
Now for Medicare news: We are in the open enrollment season for enrolling into a new prescription drug plan. In late September or early October you should have received a notice from your present Prescription Drug provider stating what drugs would be covered in the new year, what the cost would be and what the premium would be. I suggest that you check to make sure the plan you have is still the best plan for you. You can do this yourself by going to www.medicare.gov and using the plan finder or you can contact us and we can help. You have until December 7 to make any changes in your stand-alone prescription drug plan and it will start on January 1, 2016.
Some of you who have been receiving “Extra Help” by having your Prescription drug premium reduced may have received a notice (on grey paper) from Social Security stating that you no longer automatically qualify for Extra Help. If you received this notice you should contact us and let us apply on-line for you, because you may still be eligible based on different circumstances.
If you received an “Income and Resources Summary” notice you need to complete the form that was enclosed called “Social Security Administration Review of Your Eligibility for Extra Help”. If you don’t return the form your Extra Help may end.
Please call us at the above listed number for assistance or any questions you have regarding this information.
