News from HESSCO Elder Services

Care. Support. Solutions.

November 2011

Dear ,

It's hard to believe that the 2011 calendar year is drawing to a close. 2011 has been an exciting year, full of growth and development at HESSCO.

Like all Aging Service Access Points in Massachusetts, HESSCO managed a wait list for a good portion of the year. As the plan successfully in met the state's goal to decrease spending, there is no wait list for State Home Care.

Additionally, 2011 saw the launch of Powerful Tools for Caregivers. This evidenced based program is a 6-week program for caregivers, which builds coping skills, resources and confidence.

More recently HESSCO hosted "Growing Older and Obtaining Healthcare Services, How Do I Pay for it All?". The panel discussion explored services, Medicare and financial resources for aging in the community.

If you feel you've missed something over the year, please "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter because in addition to our newsletters, event information is regularly posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages. These feeds also allow for ongoing communication and sharing about the issues facing our communities and the seniors we serve.

Thank you for your continued support and your part in making 2011 a success.

Mary Jean McDermott

Executive Director

HESSCO Elder Services

New Program at HESSCO

HESSCO is excited to announce the new LGBT "Lakeside Café" Meal Site which is taking place at the Sharon Adult Center on the third Monday of each month. This group is dynamic, friendly and welcoming and provides a safe place for LGBT seniors, allies and friends to gather, socialize, and support each other. This group also helps HESSCO to better understand the unique needs of LGBT individuals as they age and will ensure a more diverse and tailored set of resources are available in our service area.

For more details about the November LGBT Cafe, Click Here.

If you are interested in learning more, or volunteering at the "Lakeside Cafe", please contact Jayne Davis at jdavis@hessco.org

Advocate for Transportation

Governor Patrick has formed a commission to examine and offer suggesions to improve para-transit in Massachusetts. This includes the RIDE. HESSCO will be submitting written testimony on behalf of RIDE consumers who would like to be heard, however, can not make the public hearing scheduled in Boston on November 7th. For more details on the commission or the public hearings being held Click Here.

Medicare Open Enrollment

What does this mean for You?

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period began October 15 and runs until December 7, 2011, with the change in coverage effective on January 1, 2012. The Open Enrollment Period allows you the opportunity to change how you receive your health care benefits under Medicare and your Medicare prescription drug coverage.

During the Open Enrollment you can:

Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare HMO or Medicare PPO)
Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that does offers drug coverage
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

HESSCO's SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) Program can help you through this process. Counselors provide assistance to Medicare beneficiaries with understanding their options under the Medicare Program. They can help you to review your health insurance to ensure that you are receiving the most appropriate coverage for the most affordable price. In addition, counselors can provide you with information about benefit programs that may help with some of your health care costs.

You can meet with a SHINE counselor at your local Council on Aging during the October 15 -December 7 enrollment period. Before you schedule an appointment, however, we need to gather information that will allow us to do a preliminary review based on your specific information of the options available. We can provide you with a form that will collect the data we need to do a comprehensive search of Medicare coverage available for 2012. In order to receive this form you can call: 1-800-243-4636 (Press 3) and ask for the Medicare Drug Plan Form. Once we have provided you with the results of our search, you can call your local Council on Aging to schedule an appointment with the SHINE counselor.

HESSCO is also providing a number of community education sessions regarding Open Enrollment. For dates and locations of these presentation, click here.