TERRE HAUTE —
Q: When I turned 65, I chose a Medicare Advantage Plan that might not be the best plan for me now. I think I might need to switch a new plan. What should I do now?
A: The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (formerly the Open Enrollment Period) is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this Annual Enrollment Period, you can:
• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another.
• Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
There are many helpful tools available to help you choose the plan that’s right for you.
The State Health Insurance Information Program is a free and unbiased counseling program provided by the Indiana Department of Insurance for Medicare beneficiaries in Indiana. SHIP has sites throughout the state where you can meet with a counselor.
SHIP is staffed by counselors who have completed intensive training and can help you sort options.
To make an appointment with a SHIP counselor or find a site near you, call SHIP at 1-800-452-4800. You can also find us at www.medicare.in.gov.
Another great resource is the Plan Finder available at www.medicare.gov. By entering your zip code, prescription drug information, and a few other preferences, the Plan Finder can help you compare plans.
If you would like help using the Plan Finder, SHIP counselors can help.
SHIP will be hosting events throughout Indiana to help beneficiaries during annual enrollment. Many of these will provide one-on-one assistance and will require advanced registration. For a list of these events, visit the SHIP website at www.medicare.in.gov and choose the SHIP Presentations link.
If you have questions about annual enrollment or anything else related to Medicare, contact SHIP for help. Call 1-800-452-4800, or visit www.medicare.
in.gov.
Health & Fitness
Ask Ship
- Health & Fitness
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Research leads to reduced fibromyalgia pain
For years, Kay Greenlee couldn’t wash the windows in her home without hurting. The Terre Haute woman suffers from fibromyalgia, and allergic reactions prevented her from taking medicine to relieve the pain in her legs and shoulders.
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Dine with an orthopedic surgeon
Senior Education Ministries Inc. will host another Dine with a Doc event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 26 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Trinity Lutheran Church to sponsor LifeLine Screening
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a LifeLine Screening on Saturday at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Stay cool when exercising this summer
Early summer weather can provide the ultimate motivation to get outside and be active.
- Support groups: June 12, 2013
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Mental health education, wellness event planned
The Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties is having an open house: “A ‘New Era’ in Mental Health and Recovery,” a free public education and wellness event.
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Mental health first aid course scheduled
There will be a mental health first aid course with Youth MHFA certification from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 21 at the Human Resources Center, 118 E. Court, Paris, Ill.
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CHRIS DAVIES: Good old-fashioned exercise helps you get through the day
Are you looking for more energy to get through the day? Look no further than good old-fashioned exercise.
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Weight Watchers open house set
Weight Watchers will host a “Live Life Active” open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Meadows Shopping Center.
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Learn about Alzheimer’s disease at free workshop
“Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: The Basics,” a free workshop on Alzheimer’s disease, will be from 11 a.m. to noon June 5 at the Vigo County Public Library.
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Newsmaker: May 29, 2013
The work of health care providers, public safety workers and community leaders who have given above and beyond care to Hoosier children was celebrated at the 2nd Annual Health Care Heroes Breakfast on May 22 at Ruth Lilly Education Center.
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic
Another free Dine with a Doc lunch event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Support Groups: May 15, 2013
Cancer Friendship Group, featuring a journaling workshop with therapeutic writer Nia Klein, 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, conference room B, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center; 217-465-2606, ext. 290.
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Protect yourself from skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday was designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
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Paris Hospital Volunteers' chocolate sale is May 23-24
The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will sponsor a South Bend Chocolate Company sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24 near the FMC rotunda entrance.
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Stay safe during flooding with tips
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop over the course of a few weeks or happen quickly.
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Support groups: May 8, 2013
Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors Inc.,
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Journal writing workshop coming up at Paris hospital
Therapeutic writer Nia Klein will conduct a journal writing workshop at the Cancer Friendship Group meeting at 10 a.m. May 21 in conference room B at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Church to sponsor blood drive
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday in Fellowship Hall at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Walk to bring hope to bereaved families, awareness
Compassionate Friends of the Wabash Valley are sponsoring a “Walk to Remember,” to support families after a child dies, from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park.
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Dine with a Doc to feature ISU professor
A free Dine with a Doc event, featuring Lisa Borrero Ph.D., is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence Housing Corp. All Place in West Terre Haute.
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Free Vial of Life kits available in Paris
In recognition of National Hospital Week in May, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will provide free Vial of Life kits to the community.
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Free Zumba Gold presentation offered
The Maple Center for Integrative Health and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offer a free presentation on Zumba Gold by Cathleen Drobny from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in Westminster Village at 1120 East Davis Drive.
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Senior Menu: April 24, 2013
Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at all senior citizens dining sites in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Putnam counties.
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Child Passenger Safety Tech course coming up
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course for child passenger safety will be conducted from 8 AM to 5 PM on May 2, 3, 10, and 11.
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Health briefs: April 24, 2013
‘Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage’ presentation set for May
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Crawford County Triathlon slated for May 25
Lincoln Trail College and Ecton Hardware are hosting the Crawford County Triathlon on May 25 at the college.
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April 26 sharing session to be therapeutic for Parkinson’s patients
Strength in numbers.
That concept underlies the theme of a gathering Friday, April 26 in Westminster Village. People afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and friends and family who care for those ailing folks, will share their stories of their struggles and successes with the progressive disorder that touches more than 1 million American lives. -
Get a hair cut and health screenings all in one stop
Visiting the barber shop today could mean more than just getting a haircut; it might save your life.
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Dine with a Doc to feature Dr. Roland Kohr
Another Dine with a Doc event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Providence Housing Corporation All Place, 219 North Providence Place, West Terre Haute.
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