Q: I remember getting a few mailings about my Medicare and my Extra Help last year. Some were on different colors of paper. What did those mean, and will I get them again?
A: You’re right that this is the time of year when CMS and Social Security begin sending out important notices.
Many of them require action from you. Some of them will be printed on a specific color paper according to the information being sent. Read on to find out what some of these mailings on colored paper mean.
• Gray Notice
The Loss of Deemed Status will be sent to anyone who no longer automatically qualifies for Extra Help in 2013. The notice will explain why a person no longer automatically qualifies and encourages them to complete an enclosed application for Extra Help.
• Orange Notice
If you have Extra Help and still automatically qualify, you should receive a Change in Extra Help Co-Payment Notice if your co-pays will change for 2013.
• Blue Notices
If your Medicare drug plan is leaving the Medicare Program, you will receive a Reassignment Notice - Plan Termination. This means you will be reassigned to a new Medicare drug plan in 2013 unless you choose a new plan in early December.
If you receive a blue Reassignment Notice - Premium Increase, you are being notified that your Medicare drug plan premium is increasing above the regional LIS premium subsidy amount. You will be reassigned to a new Medicare drug plan in 2013 if you don't join a new plan.
If you receive a blue MA Reassignment Notice, your current Medicare Advantage plan is leaving the Medicare Program, and you will be reassigned to a new Medicare Advantage plan in 2013 unless you choose a new plan in early December.
• Tan Notices
In November, you might want to be on the lookout for the LIS Choosers Notice. This notice is sent to people who have Extra Help and chose a Medicare drug plan on their own. If you receive this notice, it means your plan’s premium is changing, and you will have to pay a portion of the premium in 2013 unless you Join a new $0 premium plan.
Read next September’s Ask SHIP to learn about additional notices you may receive by mail.
If you have questions about these notices 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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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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Hunter education course scheduled this weekend
An Indiana Hunter Education Course is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Good Hope Baptist Church, 440 W. County Road 850 S., in Clay City.
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Hospice hosting ‘Run and Remember’ fundraiser
Hospice of the Wabash Valley will be hosting a “Run and Remember” fundraising event at 11 a.m. Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
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Disability Awareness Month events planned
Bridges of Indiana has planned two events in March to celebrate Disability Awareness Month.
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Newsmaker: Feb. 20, 2013
Plastic Surgery Practice has announced its new Editorial Advisory Board for 2013. The 12-member board includes several past members and many new names.
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Study: Family mealtime can improve kids’ health
When low-income families devote three to four extra minutes to regular family mealtimes, their children’s ability to achieve and maintain a normal weight improves measurably, according to a new University of Illinois study.
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Zumba for Kid Kare Project fundraiser on March 2
Zumba with Chelsea Martin, a Kid Kare Project fundraiser, is scheduled 1 to 2 p.m. March 2 in the Community Recreation Center at 301 Blackman St. in Clinton.
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Hip implants a bit more likely to fail in women
Hip replacements are slightly more likely to fail in women than in men, according to one of the largest studies of its kind in U.S. patients.
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Support Groups: Feb. 20, 2013
For more information and/or sites, contact the numbers listed.
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Additional CHIP info session today
The Maple Center for Integrative Health has added an additional CHIP information session before the start of class on March 4.
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Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies workshop set
A free workshop for health care providers, social service professionals and other health advocates, Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies in Terre Haute, is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 14 in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education.
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Plans under way for Clark County Biathlon
Plans for the Clark County Spring Break Biathlon 3.1-mile run/15-mile bike plus the 1-mile fun run/walk are under way.
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