Q: I am getting ready to move; how do I update my address with Medicare?
A: You should contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or go to your local field office. If you receive your benefits through the Railroad Retirement Board, contact your local office or call their toll free number 1-800-808-0772.
Q: Can I still join a Medicare Advantage plan?
A: Medicare Advantage plans are another way of getting your Medicare benefits. These are Medicare managed health care plans offered by private companies under contract with Medicare.
Yes, you can still join a Medicare Advantage plan. However, your enrollment period will depend on when your Medicare coverage began.
If you are new to Medicare, you will be in your initial enrollment period. This is a 7-month enrollment period that begins 3 months before you become eligible for Medicare and ends 3 months after the month you are eligible for Medicare. For example, Jean will be turning 65 in July,
and will be eligible for Medicare coverage July 1. Her initial enrollment period will begin April 1 and will end Oct. 31.
If you are no longer in your initial enrollment period, you will be able to join a MA plan during the annual open enrollment period. This open enrollment period runs between Jan. 1 and March 31 each year. You may join or switch plans at this time; however, your choice of plans will be limited based on your prescription drug coverage. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, you will not be able to add or drop drug coverage.
If you have drug coverage through a MA plan or a Medicare prescription Drug plan, you can only join a MA plan that offers drug coverage. If you have no drug coverage, you will only be able to join a MA plan that does not offer drug coverage. For more information, contact your local SHIP site or call our toll free number 1-800-452-4800.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awarness month. Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. For 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that 112,304 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed. Combined, these cancers will cause an estimated 52,180 deaths this year.
One of the most important risk factors is age. Individuals, over the age of 50, account for 9 out of 10 new cases diagnosed each year. Key to treating colorectal cancer is early detection. Medicare does help pay for colorectal screening tests.
Medicare offers coverage for the following screenings:
• Fecal Occult Blood Test – Once every 12 months if you are 50 or older. You will pay nothing for this test.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – Once every 48 months if you are 50 or older. You will pay the Part B coinsurance; the Part B deductible is waived.
• Screening Colonoscopy – Once every 10 years, unless you re at high risk, then once every 24 months. There is no age limit. You will pay the Part B coinsurance; the Part B deductible is waived.
• Barium Enema - Once every 48 months if you are 50 or older. You will pay the Part B coinsurance; the Part B deductible is waived.
SHIP is a free, unbiased counseling program provided by the Indiana State Department of Insurance. For assistance, call your local SHIP site to make an appointment or call the state office at 1-800-452-4800 to obtain a list of local SHIP sites.
Health & Fitness
Update address change with Medicare
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AP sources: Obama revamping birth control policy
Retreating in the face of a political uproar, President Barack Obama today will announce that religious employers will not have to cover birth control for their employees after all, The Associated Press has learned.
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Measles confirmed in Central Indiana
State health officials have confirmed two cases of measles in Hamilton County and have identified an additional two probable measles cases in Boone County.
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Planned Parenthood offers cholesterol testing
In recognition of American Heart Month, Planned Parenthood of Indiana will offer free cholesterol testing to patients at 19 health centers across the state from Feb. 13-18.
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Health Department plans public flu shot clinic
The peak of flu season has arrived and will last until mid- to late March; however, influenza tends to spike during the month of February.
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Maple Center offering therapeutic yoga classes
The nonprofit Maple Center for Integrative Health will offer therapeutic yoga classes starting Feb. 18.
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Visiting Angels receives ‘Best of Home Care’ award
Visiting Angels announced that it has been recognized with Home Care Pulse’s “Best of Home Care” distinction. Awarded to the top 25 percent of agencies nationwide in client and employee satisfaction scores from Home Care Pulse, the senior care provider, located in Greencastle, is now ranked among a select few of the best agencies in the country.
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Essence of Red event to support heart health in Valley
The Essence of Red Heart, Mind and Moxie, an event to support heart health in the Wabash Valley, is Feb. 24 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Student Union.
- SUPPORT GROUPS: Feb. 8, 2012
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Map pinpoints Lyme disease risk areas
Researchers who dragged sheets of fabric through the woods to snag ticks have created a detailed map pinpointing the highest-risk areas for Lyme disease.
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Pfizer recalls 1M birth control packs after mix-up
Birth control pills are known to be nearly 100 percent effective when taken properly, but a recall of the drugs could send a shudder through women of childbearing age.
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Dine with martial arts expert at Senior Center
Senior Education Ministries, Inc. has scheduled Rise and Shine Dine with a Doc from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
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Clark County planning spring 5K/Biathlon
Clark County Park District Trails Coalition’s fundraising spring 5k and biathlon — a 3.1-mile run and 15-mile bike ride — is planned for April 21 in Mill Creek Park in Marshall, Ill. The event will also feature a 1-mile fun run/walk.
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Indiana Blood Center plans February drives
Indiana Blood Center hosts hundreds of blood drives each month. Below are locations, dates and times of blood drives open to the community by county for the month of February 2012.
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Dining with Diabetes classes to begin Feb. 27
The Purdue Extension-Vermillion/Parke County Offices are offering Dining with Diabetes sessions from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning Feb. 27 at the Parke County Extension Office, Rockville. The program will run through March 19.
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Ms. Wheelchair Pageant set for March; enter now
People On Wheels’ Ms. Wheelchair Indiana Pageant is now accepting entries for its 2012 program.
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Red Cross seeks disaster volunteers, offers training
The American Red Cross wants you — to volunteer your time and help the community.
Disaster volunteers serve on local, community focused response teams that meet with clients and serve their emergency needs 24 hours a day. -
Recycle eyeglasses, hearing aids at center in Brazil
The Green Corps is working in cooperation with Exceptional Living Center of Brazil, a not-for-profit organization, to provide a drop-off center for the recycling of eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- SUPPORT GROUPS: Feb. 1, 2012
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Vigo Early Head Start students receiving hearing screenings
Most parents assume their infant can hear, “I love you,” along with all the other sounds that fill a child’s life — music, birds singing, and the whispers of a caring grandparent. But many children cannot hear all of those sounds.
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College schedules sanitation and safety class
Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill., will offer a sanitation and safety class, and sanitation refresher course (RST 1601) beginning Feb. 1.
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Paris Hospital Laboratory receives accreditation
The Paris Community Hospital Laboratory recently received national recognition for its quality of service and commitment to excellence.
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Maple Center announces spring CHIP
The nonprofit Maple Center for Integrative Health announces the 2012 spring schedule for the Complete Health Improvement Program.
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Planned Parenthood announces new hours
Planned Parenthood of Indiana will offer new hours of service for its Terre Haute health center.
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Riley Foundation chooses Wabash Valley student's artwork for calendar
Eleven-year-old Trenton Williams has a long history with Riley Hospital for Children.
In 2004, he underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. By 2006, the tumor had grown back, and Williams faced 11⁄2 years of weekly chemotherapy treatment at Riley.
Today, the healthy, Rio Grande Elementary fifth-grader loves to give back to the hospital that saved his life. -
ISU, prof receive patent for agent that boosts immune system
While conducting research on cancer, Swapan Ghosh and a team of graduate and doctoral students discovered a phytol-derived adjuvant. That adjuvant formula just became U.S. Patent No. 8,088,395.
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Dine with ear, nose and throat specialist
Senior Education Ministries Inc. has scheduled Dine with a Doc from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
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Maple Center invites public to annual meeting/dinner
The Board of Directors of the nonprofit Maple Center for Integrative Health invites supporters and all who are interested in integrative/holistic community health education programs and clinical services to attend the annual board meeting and dinner Feb. 7. The event is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at First Financial Conference Center, 4353 S. Seventh St., Terre Haute.
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Register now for winter blues bike ride
The Clark County (Ill.) Park District Trails Coalition is planning a free winter blues bike ride — iCYCLE — for Feb. 25.
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Hospital calls on community to donate blood
Union Hospital is calling on members of the Wabash Valley community to consider donating blood with Indiana Blood Center to ensure stable blood supplies for its patients.
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Session on the basics of Alzheimer’s is Tuesday
“Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Basics,” a free workshop on Alzheimer’s disease, will be conducted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Rockville Public Library.
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AP sources: Obama revamping birth control policy








