Hicap Newsletter Spring 2009
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Medicare for you
Volume 1, Issue 1 Spring 2009
Newsletter from HICAP of San Ma teo County (A program of Self Help for the Elderly)
Welcome! Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the HICAP team of San Mateo County. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a non-profit organization providing free, unbiased counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries. The mission of our newsletter is to provide you with relevant up to date Medicare information. We are very pleased to be here writing for you, and hope that you will find this Newsletter informative. We welcome you and appreciate your feedback.
Inside this issue: • Medicare Part B Costs for 2010 • Welcome to Medicare Exam • Get Help paying for drug coverage • Volunteer spotlight (Mary Pappas) • Upcoming HICAP Events
Your San Mateo HICAP team, Barbara Kammerlohr, Program Manager 1650-627-9350 [email protected]
Medicar e Par t B Costs for 2010 Medicare Part B costs for the basic premium will rise to $119 in 2010 and $123 in 2011 according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget office. However, the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org) predicts that 75% of people with Medicare will be protected from these increases by the “hold harmless” provision of the Social Security Act.
costs by requiring that Part B premiums not exceed the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for a given year for people with Medicare who have the premium deducted from their Social Security checks. With the current economic downturn, no COLA is predicted for 2010. This effectively freezes Part B premiums for these people.
The “hold harmless” clause helps mitigate the impact of rising Part B There will be increases in Medicare
costs for the remaining 25%, however. The following groups will probably see their costs rise: new Medicare enrollees, currently enrolled people who pay a higher premium based on their income, and others who do not have Medicare deducted from their Social Security checks. Even low-income individuals who are dropped from a Medicare Savings (Continued on page 2)
Page 2
Medicare for you
Par t B Costs Plan during 2010 are not protected and must pay the higher premium. Additionally, there is no provision that protects people from increased Part D premiums. Later this Fall, HICAP will have more specific information about these and other Medicare costs for 2010. For information about how changes will affect you, call the HICAP office for an appointment this Fall.
Medicare beneficiaries are advised to see a HICAP counselor for help analyzing their Part D insurance plan every year between November 15 and December 31. It is during this period of time that Medicare allows beneficiaries to change their prescription drug plans for their prescription drug insurance. Since some Medicare Part D plans change the medications they will cover, beneficiaries should make
sure their medications are covered for the following year.
Information for this article was extracted from Medicare Watch, an electronic newsletter published by the Medicare Rights Center (www.Medicarerights.org).
Medicare update: Beginning 1/1/09, all new Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to receive a “Welcome to Medicare” Physical within the first 12 months of their enrollment into Medicare Part B (was previously 6 months).
Get extra help paying for drug covera ge You or someone you know may qualify for extra help paying for Medicare drug costs. Extra help maybe available for people with yearly income below $16,245 ($21,855 for a married couple living together) AND resources less than $12,510 ($25,010 for a married couple living together). People who don’t meet these amounts may still qualify, the best way to find out is to apply. Call us at 650-6279350 and make an appointment with a HICAP Counselor if you need help applying Do it today!
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
The Volunteer Who Paved the Way
HICAP’s work is done primarily by volunteers – self motivated, curious, problem solvers who provide counseling and advocacy to Medicare beneficiaries in San Mateo County. And the star of them all is Mary Pappas. Since 1973, Mary has worked in various capacities for and with seniors in San Mateo County and has paved the way for many organizations that we have today. She opened the first full-service information and referral center in the city of San Mateo, was the Senior Social Coordinator of Catholic School Services, and in 1985, opened the Greenhill Retirement Center in Millbrae. In 1988, Mary started HICAP of San Mateo to address the concerns of the seniors with their health insurance. Throughout the following years,
she assumed many roles within the program: Program Manager, Coordinator of Volunteers and Program Specialist. After her retirement, she was elected Chairman of HICAP’s Advisory Committee.
fresh ideas. She is also involved with the Ombudsman program, serves on the Advisory Committee of Senior Focus Volunteer Services including RSVP, and the Commission on Aging. The work for HICAP can be challenging, requiring investigative skills, but like many of the HICAP Counselors, she enjoys the sense of accomplishment she feels from having done her part to help the senior community.
Mary volunteers with HICAP counseling at different senior centers, making community education presentations and representing HICAP at community meetings. She is always available to help with the most difficult cases, and contributes
HICAP always needs volunteers and there is much to be gained by volunteering! You form strong relationships with the counselors and staff and demonstrate your commitment to serving the community. If interested in serving, call HICAP at 1650-627-9350.
HICAP of San Mateo County, A program of Self Help for the elderly Address 1710 S. Amphlett Blvd. #302 San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: 650-627-9350 Fax: 650-628-9357 Program Manager
Barbara Kammerlohr [email protected]
Medicare for You is a publication of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), a non profit organization providing counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries of San Mateo County. HICAP is a program of Self Help for the Elderly and San Mateo County Area Agency on Aging, funded primarily by the State of California and Medicare.
Most counselors have undergone extensive training to become registered counselors and volunteer their time to be of service to Medicare beneficiaries in San Mateo County. Those interested in becoming a volunteer counselor should call the HICAP office at 650-6279350.
Mark Your Calendars:Upcoming HICAP Events June 3, 2009, 11:45a-12:15p Lesley Towers
700 Laurel Ave San Mateo
LIS IP : Low Income Subsidy Interactive Presentation
June 9, 2009 10:30a-11:30a St. John's Baptist Church
1050 Bay Rd., East Palo Alto
Kinship Support Group: Provides a supportive environment where relatives, extended family members, and family friends who are raising their relatives' children can receive emotional support, share info, and learn about available resources.
May 22, 2009, 9:00am Lawson Hall
125 Accacia St. Daly City
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese/English
May 28, 2009 10:00am Menlo Park Senior Center
100 Terminal Ave. Menlo Park
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Spanish/English
May 28, 2009, 12:00noon Primose
139 Primose Rd Burlingame
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: English
May 29, 2009 10:30am Magnolia Senior Center
601 Grand Ave Brown Bag Event South San Francisco Primary languages spoken: Spanish/Chinese
June 4, 2009, 11:30noon Millbrae Senior Center
477 Lincoln Circle Millbrae
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese
June 18, 2009 10:00am East Palo Alto Senior Center
555 Bell Street East Palo Alto
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese/Spanish/Tongan
To Subscribe to or Unsubscribe from this Newsletter, please write us at [email protected] or call 1650-627-9350
Volume 1, Issue 1 Spring 2009
Newsletter from HICAP of San Ma teo County (A program of Self Help for the Elderly)
Welcome! Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the HICAP team of San Mateo County. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a non-profit organization providing free, unbiased counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries. The mission of our newsletter is to provide you with relevant up to date Medicare information. We are very pleased to be here writing for you, and hope that you will find this Newsletter informative. We welcome you and appreciate your feedback.
Inside this issue: • Medicare Part B Costs for 2010 • Welcome to Medicare Exam • Get Help paying for drug coverage • Volunteer spotlight (Mary Pappas) • Upcoming HICAP Events
Your San Mateo HICAP team, Barbara Kammerlohr, Program Manager 1650-627-9350 [email protected]
Medicar e Par t B Costs for 2010 Medicare Part B costs for the basic premium will rise to $119 in 2010 and $123 in 2011 according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget office. However, the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org) predicts that 75% of people with Medicare will be protected from these increases by the “hold harmless” provision of the Social Security Act.
costs by requiring that Part B premiums not exceed the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for a given year for people with Medicare who have the premium deducted from their Social Security checks. With the current economic downturn, no COLA is predicted for 2010. This effectively freezes Part B premiums for these people.
The “hold harmless” clause helps mitigate the impact of rising Part B There will be increases in Medicare
costs for the remaining 25%, however. The following groups will probably see their costs rise: new Medicare enrollees, currently enrolled people who pay a higher premium based on their income, and others who do not have Medicare deducted from their Social Security checks. Even low-income individuals who are dropped from a Medicare Savings (Continued on page 2)
Page 2
Medicare for you
Par t B Costs Plan during 2010 are not protected and must pay the higher premium. Additionally, there is no provision that protects people from increased Part D premiums. Later this Fall, HICAP will have more specific information about these and other Medicare costs for 2010. For information about how changes will affect you, call the HICAP office for an appointment this Fall.
Medicare beneficiaries are advised to see a HICAP counselor for help analyzing their Part D insurance plan every year between November 15 and December 31. It is during this period of time that Medicare allows beneficiaries to change their prescription drug plans for their prescription drug insurance. Since some Medicare Part D plans change the medications they will cover, beneficiaries should make
sure their medications are covered for the following year.
Information for this article was extracted from Medicare Watch, an electronic newsletter published by the Medicare Rights Center (www.Medicarerights.org).
Medicare update: Beginning 1/1/09, all new Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to receive a “Welcome to Medicare” Physical within the first 12 months of their enrollment into Medicare Part B (was previously 6 months).
Get extra help paying for drug covera ge You or someone you know may qualify for extra help paying for Medicare drug costs. Extra help maybe available for people with yearly income below $16,245 ($21,855 for a married couple living together) AND resources less than $12,510 ($25,010 for a married couple living together). People who don’t meet these amounts may still qualify, the best way to find out is to apply. Call us at 650-6279350 and make an appointment with a HICAP Counselor if you need help applying Do it today!
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
The Volunteer Who Paved the Way
HICAP’s work is done primarily by volunteers – self motivated, curious, problem solvers who provide counseling and advocacy to Medicare beneficiaries in San Mateo County. And the star of them all is Mary Pappas. Since 1973, Mary has worked in various capacities for and with seniors in San Mateo County and has paved the way for many organizations that we have today. She opened the first full-service information and referral center in the city of San Mateo, was the Senior Social Coordinator of Catholic School Services, and in 1985, opened the Greenhill Retirement Center in Millbrae. In 1988, Mary started HICAP of San Mateo to address the concerns of the seniors with their health insurance. Throughout the following years,
she assumed many roles within the program: Program Manager, Coordinator of Volunteers and Program Specialist. After her retirement, she was elected Chairman of HICAP’s Advisory Committee.
fresh ideas. She is also involved with the Ombudsman program, serves on the Advisory Committee of Senior Focus Volunteer Services including RSVP, and the Commission on Aging. The work for HICAP can be challenging, requiring investigative skills, but like many of the HICAP Counselors, she enjoys the sense of accomplishment she feels from having done her part to help the senior community.
Mary volunteers with HICAP counseling at different senior centers, making community education presentations and representing HICAP at community meetings. She is always available to help with the most difficult cases, and contributes
HICAP always needs volunteers and there is much to be gained by volunteering! You form strong relationships with the counselors and staff and demonstrate your commitment to serving the community. If interested in serving, call HICAP at 1650-627-9350.
HICAP of San Mateo County, A program of Self Help for the elderly Address 1710 S. Amphlett Blvd. #302 San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: 650-627-9350 Fax: 650-628-9357 Program Manager
Barbara Kammerlohr [email protected]
Medicare for You is a publication of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), a non profit organization providing counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries of San Mateo County. HICAP is a program of Self Help for the Elderly and San Mateo County Area Agency on Aging, funded primarily by the State of California and Medicare.
Most counselors have undergone extensive training to become registered counselors and volunteer their time to be of service to Medicare beneficiaries in San Mateo County. Those interested in becoming a volunteer counselor should call the HICAP office at 650-6279350.
Mark Your Calendars:Upcoming HICAP Events June 3, 2009, 11:45a-12:15p Lesley Towers
700 Laurel Ave San Mateo
LIS IP : Low Income Subsidy Interactive Presentation
June 9, 2009 10:30a-11:30a St. John's Baptist Church
1050 Bay Rd., East Palo Alto
Kinship Support Group: Provides a supportive environment where relatives, extended family members, and family friends who are raising their relatives' children can receive emotional support, share info, and learn about available resources.
May 22, 2009, 9:00am Lawson Hall
125 Accacia St. Daly City
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese/English
May 28, 2009 10:00am Menlo Park Senior Center
100 Terminal Ave. Menlo Park
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Spanish/English
May 28, 2009, 12:00noon Primose
139 Primose Rd Burlingame
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: English
May 29, 2009 10:30am Magnolia Senior Center
601 Grand Ave Brown Bag Event South San Francisco Primary languages spoken: Spanish/Chinese
June 4, 2009, 11:30noon Millbrae Senior Center
477 Lincoln Circle Millbrae
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese
June 18, 2009 10:00am East Palo Alto Senior Center
555 Bell Street East Palo Alto
Brown Bag Event Primary languages spoken: Chinese/Spanish/Tongan
To Subscribe to or Unsubscribe from this Newsletter, please write us at [email protected] or call 1650-627-9350
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