The leaves are starting to change and there is a nip in the air, we all know what that means; Open Enrollment for Medicare Prescription and Advantage plans is upon us. October 15 through December 7 is the official dates and the new plans take effect on January 1, 2022.
Open Enrollment allows those on Medicare who have never enrolled in a Part D plan to enroll in one and get prescription coverage. It also allows Medicare beneficiaries to switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare Advantage plans are the ones you see on TV with Joe Namath and Jimmy “JJ” Walker as spokesmen. Advantage Plans also known as Part C plans are managed care plans that cover the Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D under one card. Managed care plans have a network of providers you would need to use to get the best price or in some case any coverage at all. These plans can also offer additional benefits such as vision, dental and hearing. Check with the plan to determine what kind of coverage and cost for these services and to check that the providers you want are in network. The commercials also talk about even more benefits such as in-home meals, transportation and a give back program that returns all or a portion of your Medicare Part B premium. These benefits apply only under special conditions and in certain areas. Please check each plan to make sure you are getting the benefits you want.
Those who choose to have a Medicare Part D plan should look at their options for 2022. Medicare drug plans change every year. The costs of the plan including the monthly premium and the deductible can go up or even down. The plans can change what medicines they cover, what tier the medicines are on and even the co-pays for each medication. It is always a good idea to look at what is available even if the plan you have has worked well for you. All beneficiaries will receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) before open enrollment begins. This information will show what the plan you are in will look like for next year.
The Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov is the tool used to look at Medicare Prescription Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. Prescription medications are entered and the available plans are sorted so the cost 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 coverage for 2022 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 could be 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.
The process is the same for anyone who needs help this open enrollment. Call our office to schedule an appointment or we can send out an open enrollment worksheet that can be sent back to us. We will need your zip code, list of medications and the pharmacy you prefer to use. This information will allow us to determine which plans will cover your medicine at the best cost. Please call if you need help, 800-392-8771, because Aging Matters.
Dexter, MO - Services offered by a team from A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health Call to Make an Appointment
A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH), which partners with Affinia Healthcare to provide services at the St. Louis Dental Center, will be deploying a team to offer care to patients at Smiles of Hope at Lighthouse Church in Dexter, Missouri.
WHAT: ATSU-MOSDOH Fall Dexter Mission
Extractions, and pre-prosthetic surgeries
More than 200 patients to be served over five days
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021
7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Smiles of Hope at Lighthouse Church
18555 Lighthouse Dr. Dexter, MO 63841 info@lhcdexter.com
573-621-2793
“Too many veterans and civilians in Southeast Missouri have absolutely no resources or access to quality care,” said Kevin DeArman, dental minister, administrator, and coordinator of Smiles of Hope, and U.S. Marine Veteran. “We are grateful to be working with ATSU-MOSDOH to address the tremendous need for care, which may continue with follow-up at the St. Louis Dental Center.”
The St. Louis Dental Center team traveling to Dexter comprises:
Thirteen clinical faculty members, including Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS, dean and professor of periodontics; Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, vice dean for clinical affairs and advanced dental education
Thirty-eight ATSU-MOSDOH students and six ATSU-MOSDOH graduates, licensed dentists
“This is our 5th year of seeing patients in Dexter,” said Herbert Silva, DMD, assistant professor, comprehensive care director, and leader of the Dentures for Veterans Project at the St. Louis Dental Center. “We work closely with Kevin DeArman to identify patient needs and develop the appropriate treatment plans.”
Smiles of Hope
The clinic began in 2010 in a mobile facility, with limited resources, starting with founding dentist William T. Kane, DDS, MBA, PC, who had a vision to help people needing dental care but could not afford the costs. Through services contributed by licensed dentists and assistants, nurses, the hospitality crew, and members of Lighthouse Church, facilities expanded into a dedicated dentistry suite. All donations of equipment, professional services, and finances will help to grow the dental clinic ministry.
St. Louis Dental Center
The St. Louis Dental Center, located at 1500 Park Ave. in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, is a state-of-the-art 79,000-square-foot clinical education facility with 93 dental chairs. Dental care is provided for the St. Louis community by Affinia Healthcare dentists and staff and A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health faculty and dental students. To learn more about St. Louis Dental Center services and schedule an appointment, call 314.833.2700. Please visit stldentalcenter.org or Facebook.com/stldental.center.
About the Partnership – In 2015, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) and Affinia Healthcare established a unique partnership to address the critical shortage of dentists, and paucity of oral health services for underserved, vulnerable populations in St. Louis, who lack access to high quality oral healthcare. Through this innovative partnership, ATSU-MOSDOH’s third- and fourth-year dental students complete their hands-on clinical education curriculum at the St. Louis Dental Center in a community health center learning environment, providing dental care to Affinia Healthcare’s patients.
Affinia Healthcare’s experienced clinical operations and skilled oral healthcare teams are essential to the partnership because of its comprehensive primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided to over 43,000 patients per year, of which 90% have incomes under 100% of the federal poverty line. Collaboratively, ATSU-MOSDOH and Affinia Healthcare help dental students develop a comprehensive understanding of the negative determinants of health on the dental and overall health of patients at the St. Louis Dental Center, while improving access to dental care for otherwise underserved individuals in our community.
ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Established in 2013, ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) offers an innovative curriculum with an emphasis on public health, leadership, and practice. ATSU-MOSDOH addresses the oral healthcare disparities in Missouri and across the nation. In addition to the issues of oral health and skills of dentistry, students learn from and are encouraged to become caring, community-minded healthcare providers.
Affinia Healthcare
Established in 1906, Affinia Healthcare is a dynamic and transformative health system, providing affordable primary and preventive healthcare, including medical, dental, and behavioral health services across 12 locations in St. Louis. Affinia Healthcare is a community health center, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and is accredited through the Joint Commission and National Committee for Quality Assurance organizations.
Medicare’s Other Vaccines
In a world dominated by COVID headlines it can be hard to remember that there are other illnesses that can make us sick. Everything we had before is still around; it just does not make the news. So how does Medicare cover vaccines and immunizations?
Both Medicare Part B and Part D cover vaccines and immunizations. Medicare Part B covers one Influenza (flu) shot per flu season. Typically, the flu season is considered to be November thru April. Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage Plans cover the flu shot at 100% so Medicare beneficiaries have no out of pocket costs. The flu shot helps protect from the influenza virus and it is recommended seniors get one every year.
Medicare Part B covers two pneumonia shots, the pneumonia shot helps protect against pneumonia, which is an infection and inflammation of the lungs. I have had pneumonia and do not want that again. Medicare will cover the first shot given at any time and the second shot if it is given at least one year after the first shot. Medicare Part B pays 100% of the Medicare approved amount of this vaccine so there is no out of pocket costs for most Medicare beneficiaries.
Part B also covers vaccines you need if you are exposed to a virus or bacteria in an accident; such as a tetanus shot if you step on a rusty nail or rabies shots if you are bitten by a stray animal.
Hepatitis B vaccines are also covered by Medicare Part B for those considered at medium to high risk of infection. Hepatitis B causes inflammation and damage to the liver. Under Part B, there is no cost to the Medicare beneficiary. If a person is considered low risk for Hepatitis B then Medicare Part D covers the vaccine and the cost can vary depending on the prescription drug plan.
Medicare Part D, the prescription drug portion of Medicare covers most other vaccines including the shingles shot and the Tdap, it also covers other vaccines that are medically necessary. The cost of vaccines varies depending on which vaccine is required, which plan you have and where you have the vaccine. Check with your plan on where you can get the best coverage on needed vaccines but most offer the best coverage at an in-network pharmacy. Medicare Advantage Plans also cover the Part B vaccines and the Part D vaccines. You would need to check with your plan to determine the cost and location that works best for each plan.
As the world goes COVID crazy again, remember there are, still other illnesses out there that we need to protect against and Medicare covers a variety of vaccines. Take care of yourself and stay safe and healthy.
If you have Medicare questions, please call Aging Matters, 800-392-8771. Because Aging Matters.
Life is returning to normal. Restaurants and stores are open, people can gather again and meetings have returned to in-person events. In addition, we at Aging Matters are starting our Medicare Matters Workshops and other events.
Medicare Matters Workshops are in person meetings where we go over all the parts of Medicare from A to D. We discuss when you need to enroll, when you do not need to enroll and penalties if you get the timing wrong. We also discuss the cost for the different parts of Medicare, what Medicare does and does not cover and how Medicare works with other insurance. Finally, we go through the extra help programs that can help pay for Medicare if you meet the eligibility guidelines.
We will hold these Medicare Matters Workshops throughout the 18 counties we serve. If you would like more information, please call 1-800-392-8771 to find out here we will be and to reserve your spot. Aging Matters also does one on one Medicare counseling if that is preferred, please call for an appointment. Our offices are open for clients by appointment only at this time.
As we return to normal, we hope to have other events such as our Scamboree and Grand-parenting conferences. Scamborees are programs held in conjunction with the Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Missouri SMPs mission is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse. At the Scamboree’s we discuss different scams that seniors in our area have reported to us and ways fraudsters try to take advantage of seniors, we offer tips and ways to protect yourself. Our Grand-parenting Conferences are aimed at grandparents who are raising their grandchildren; there is useful advice on legal protections, ways to relieve stress and other helpful tips.
Aging Matters is still assisting seniors to sign up for the COVID vaccine, if you need help getting the vaccine please call 573-335-2482. We can help schedule the appointment and if you need transportation, we can assist with that. If you are homebound and cannot get out to get your COVID vaccine, we can help arrange for you to get the COVID vaccine at your home.
Life is slowly getting back to a type of normal for most of us. Between the vaccine and facemasks, many people feel they are able to meet in person and go out more than they have in the past year. This is exciting and I am so glad that we can begin reaching out to people and helping them in ways we have before. If you would like more information about any of the services provided by Aging Matters, please call 1-800-392-8771. Because, Aging Matters.
From Lori Galati - 2021 H.O.P.E. Campaign
Dear friends and family,
The second t-shirt order came in this past week, and we have *almost* every one of them delivered! We are so pleased to report that after all fundraising efforts, plus additional memorial and other donations from the past year, we are able to contribute $14,000 this year to 18 FORE Life to help benefit area cancer warriors.
This is beyond amazing, and we could not do it without the support of our amazing community. To date, the H.O.P.E. Campaign has raised over $137,000 and turned in names of 237 individuals battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
We are so blessed to be a small part of helping others in memory of Dad, Mom and Sara, and we are truly humbled by the generosity of so many who help make this possible.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and God Bless!
The Family of Larry & Kathy Jones
