TERRE HAUTE — Q: I received a letter stating that I will no longer receive Extra Help next year. I am on limited income; is there anything I can do?
A: Letters were sent to Medicare beneficiaries, who no longer automatically qualify for Extra Help. A person has been automatically qualified for extra help if they fell into specific categories. These criteria include: if they have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible); they are part of the Medicare Savings Program (they get help paying for their Medicare premiums and/or co-pays from Medicaid); or they have Medicare and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Those beneficiaries who are no longer in one of these categories will not automatically qualify for Extra Help in 2008.
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.
You may still qualify for Extra Help, even if you do not qualify automatically. You will just need to complete an application for Extra Help. Applications were included in the letters informing beneficiaries they no longer automatically qualify.
To speed up the determination process, you can apply online at the Social Security Web site, www.ssa.gov.
Q: What are the enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage Plans?
A: There are four types of enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage Plans (MA): Initial Enrollment, Annual Enrollment, Open Enrollment, and Special Enrollment.
The Initial Enrollment Period is determined by when your Medicare coverage begins. There is a 7-month period for Initial Enrollment. This period includes the 3 months before an individual becomes eligible, the month the person becomes eligible, and the 3 months after the month of eligibility.
The Annual Enrollment Period begins Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31. Every year during this period, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to enroll into a plan, switch plans or disenroll from a plan and return to Original Medicare.
The 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 an MA Plan with drug coverage (MAPD), you can join another MAPD plan, Original Medicare with a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or a Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS) advantage plan with a PDP.
If you have an MA Plan with no drug coverage (MA-only), you can join another MA-only or Original Medicare only.
If you have Original Medicare and a PDP, you can join MAPD, or a PFFS with the same PDP.
If you have Original Medicare, you can join an MA-only plan.
Special Enrollment Periods are available when specific conditions occur, such as when you move out of the service area.
For more information on Medicare Advantage Plans and the enrollment periods, call SHIP at 1-800-452-4800, 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or go to the Medicare Web site www.medicare.gov.
Address your questions to: Ask SHIP, 714 W. 53rd St., Anderson, IN 46013; go to www.Medicare.in.gov; or call 1-800-452-4800.
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
Seniors may still qualify for Extra Help
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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
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Indiana Blood Center plans February drives
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Dining with Diabetes classes to begin Feb. 27
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Ms. Wheelchair Pageant set for March; enter now
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Red Cross seeks disaster volunteers, offers training
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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.
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Vigo Early Head Start students receiving hearing screenings
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College schedules sanitation and safety class
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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
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Planned Parenthood announces new hours
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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.
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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
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Dine with ear, nose and throat specialist
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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
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Hospital calls on community to donate blood
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Session on the basics of Alzheimer’s is Tuesday
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Learn ways to boost your energy at workshop
Holistic health coach Larry Wetnight will present “How to Boost Your Energy in 3 Simple Steps” at 10:30 a.m. CST on Saturday at the Marshall Public Library. The free workshop will leave participants feeling energized and provide them with the knowledge for a new and improved lifestyle.
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NantWorks founder an innovator in medicine, pharmaceuticals
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Top 5 diet trends for 2012
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- SUPPORT GROUPS: Jan. 4, 2012
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Lugar Center, Parke EMS partner in cardiac care
Union Hospital’s Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health, a nationally recognized leader in the development of telemedicine services, has partnered with Parke County EMS to put a state-of-the-art solution in place for patients suffering from heart attacks.
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Internet training for senior citizens coming up
Free basic Internet training for senior citizens will be provided from 10 to 11:30 a.m. CST on Jan. 26 in Room 102 of Lakeland Forsythe Center, south of the courthouse at 224 S. Sixth St., in Marshall. There is no fee, but space is limited.
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