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 Thoughts
from the Director:
Rick Hindman
Medicare "Extra Help" Saves Seniors an Average of $325 Monthly
In economic times like these, every dollar counts. Estimated to be worth an average of $325a month, there may be "Extra Help" for prescription drug plan costs especially for senior citizens who have limited income and resources. In the eight county Area Agency on Aging 8 region, it is estimated that there are nearly 3,000 seniors eligible for the program not taking advantage of the savings - this leaves approximately $11.4 million of benefits untapped.
Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some with limited incomes and resources are also eligible for "Extra Help" with the costs of monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments for a Medicare plan.
The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) has more details on this "Extra Help" available in Ohio as well as other programs that may assist those who are 60+ and on limited incomes.
We know that many people in our rural region qualify for these big savings but they don't even know it. They can find out more information about this and other helpful programs by calling our office. Trained professionals will help assess what programs seniors may be eligible for and assist with getting them enrolled.
Medicare beneficiaries who have limited income may qualify for extra help to pay for prescription drug costs. The "Extra Help" provides assistance paying for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, prescription coinsurance and co-payments and no gap in coverage.
An unsettling finding in the national research shows that of the seniors who meet the "Doughnut Hole" about 15 percent who take medications said they stopped taking them when they reached the gap - simply because they could not afford them. Others noted that they began skipping doses or taking medications that were not as effective.
In 2010, more Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for "Extra Help" because resource and income requirements have changed. If seniors applied for the benefit last year and were declined, they should re-apply in 2010 to see if they are eligible. Representatives at AAA8 can help seniors with the application details for this and other state and federal resources available.
To find out more about the "Extra Help" available or to learn about other programs, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. |
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Medicare Check-Up Days Set
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) scheduled Medicare Check-up Day:
Washington - Dec. 13
For details on each date, for sites and times, visit
AAA8 Regional Advisory Council (RAC) 2011 Meeting Dates
January 28
March 25
May 27
July 29
September 23
November 18 |
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Save the Date for Choices Expo 2011: Nov. 9!
AAA8 thanks all of the 2010 Choices Expo partners for their support in making the event a success! We appreciate the more than 50 sponsors and exhibitors taking time to exhibit and share your services with the nearly 350 seniors, caregivers and providers attending the event, now in its fourth year.
Your continued support helps AAA8 make the event possible. We would especially like to thank this year's Expo Sponsors including Title Sponsor Results Radio for its pre-event promotion and on-site live remote! Special thanks also to The Marietta Times who supported the event with pre-event promotion and the Choices Expo Special insert.
 Title Sponsor: Results Radio
Gold Sponsors: · Health Care Plus · Interim Healthcare of Zanesville · Marietta Times · Memorial Health System · Ohio Valley Home Health · United Seniors of Athens County
Silver Sponsors: · Fosterbridge Homemaker Services · Interim Healthcare of Lancaster · Settlers Bank
Bronze Sponsors: · Arcadia Nursing Center· Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Lifetime Partners· Interim Healthcare of Southeast Ohio · Keim Financial Services
Activity Sponsors: · Life Ambulance · Scenic Hills Senior Center · The Schwendeman Agency
Exhibiting at the Expo this year was The Home Healthcare Provider Co-op. Shown are Angela Robinson of Valley Home Care Solutions and Rebecca Jenei of Genesis.To learn more about the Co-op, visit www.hhpc.biz. |
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 Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network Conversation Continues
A variety of regional partners serving the aging and disability arenas gathered for another conversation about moving the SE Ohio Regional Aging & Disability Resource Network concept forward.
The model will help establish a working collaboration through the Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN). The concept of a cooperative is being investigated, the cooperative could then support the Network of Care resource as well as other advocacy and cooperative purchasing tools.
The next ADRN Conversation meeting will be Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. - noon at Buckeye Hills (1400 Pike St. in Marietta). Call 1-800-331-2644 to RSVP.
To learn more, visit these ADRN resources:
ADRN Technical Assistance Center
ADRN Technical Assistance Center - Ohio Page
Purchasing Cooperative |
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Thanksgiving Celebration in Perry County
More than 150 gathered for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at The Perry County Senior Center in November. |
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 Owner of Southeastern Ohio Home Health Receives Award
Ruby Hartley, owner of Southeastern Ohio Home Health, was one of 11 Ohio women business owners recognized by The Ohio Department of Development for her achievement in business.
From the time her business first began in May 2008, her business has grown to include 40 employees who provide home health care to clients, and has reached annual revenues in excess of $250,000.
"We provide skilled nursing services, home health aid service, physical therapy and occupational therapy," Hartley explained of her business. "We're a home health agency and we provide care in patients' homes. We are basically enabling them to stay in their home. Typically, they're not all necessarily homebound, but they often are, and we enable them to keep their independence in their home and not go to assisted living." The 2010 Keys of Success Awards event is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development's Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division, the Ohio Small Business Development Centers, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Central Ohio Women's Business Center, Key4Women/KeyBank, COSTCO, and The Women's Book |
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In the News:
- The Athens Foundation Board of Directors presented The Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services Inc., with a grant of $1,180 for grief support materials to support families and for training DVDs for staff.
- Improvements Made to Senior Center
Hocking County commissioners approved roof repairs for the Scenic Hills Senior Center, one of many improvements made to the building in the past couple of years.
"We have expanded our parking area and recently stripped the floors in the building and got those up to date," Scenic Hills Senior Center Director Marjie Moore said. "A new porch was put on the building in 2008. The whole inside of the building was painted this year. All the ceilings have been painted. Our maintenance supervisor did that. We've got to keep up with the times, keep the building in shape."
The flat part of the center's roof was replaced last year. The newest roof repairs will be made to the shingles and gutters on the sloped part of the building.
- Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks Receives
$1.1 million from Walmart Foundation
As a part of Walmart's commitment to fighting hunger, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced yesterday that the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks (OASHF) has been awarded $1,185,000 in grants and four new refrigerated food delivery trucks.
OASHF received a $725,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to support its fight against hunger as well as a $100,000 grant from the foundation's Associate Choice Program, an online campaign where Walmart associates voted directly for a non-profit to receive funding in their home state. The grants will help OASHF to support its network of 12 food banks across Ohio, which distributes food to more than 3,000 member charities, including food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other hunger relief organizations in all 88 Ohio counties.
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Introducing PIPP Plus
Low-income energy bill assistance program to change
Ohio's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is now PIPP Plus. The new program makes monthly payments more affordable on a year?round basis for customers whose gross yearly household income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. PIPP Plus also offers new incentives to customers who make their payments on time each month. Customers who repeatedly miss payments can be removed from the program.
PIPP Plus customers will be required to pay $10 or six percent of their gross monthly household income, whichever is greater, for gas or electric service. Customers with all-electric homes will pay $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater. Electric customers, like natural gas customers, will have the same monthly PIPP Plus payment year-round.
Customers can enroll in PIPP Plus by going online to request an application or by making an appointment with a local energy assistance provider. Customers currently participating in PIPP will be transferred automatically to PIPP Plus.
Customers of PIPP Plus can expect:
- Incentives for timely, monthly payments: Each time a customer makes the required PIPP Plus monthly payment on time and in full, the rest of that month's billed amount will be credited to their account.
- Program removal for missed payments: Customers who do not keep up with their PIPP Plus payments may be removed from the program and the entire account balance will become due.
- Required verification of program eligibility: To remain on PIPP Plus, customers must re-verify their gross monthly household income annually and may be required to make up any missed payments.
- Transition from PIPP Plus to full bill payment: PIPP Plus customers who become ineligible for the program will be placed on a 12-month plan to help transition to full bill payments. Customers who make monthly payments on time and in full will continue to receive credits toward their monthly bill balance.
If you are a current PIPP customer with questions about the transition, or are considering enrolling in the program for the first time, more information is available at both PUCO.ohio.gov and energyhelp.ohio.gov. Ohioans also may contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at 1-800-686-7826 or the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880.
In addition to PIPP Plus, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on how many people live with you, total household income and the primary fuel you use to heat your home. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company.
HEAP applications were mailed to households that were found eligible for assistance last year. Applications also are available at local community action agencies, public libraries, area agencies on aging, county departments of job and family services or local utility offices. For more information or to have an application mailed to you, call HEAP toll-free at 1-800-282-0880 during regular business hours.
Source: The Ohio Department of Aging |
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