News
Agency on Aging takes part in Senior Expo
Monday, 24 September 2012 by Jennifer John
Among the partners hosting the Senior Expo event, the Area Agency on Aging will be presenting their third annual appearance with the latest information on senior benefits at their Safari decorated booth this year.
The Area Agency booth will be one of many at the 2012 Senior Expo at the Bell County Expo Center, 301 W. Loop 121, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. This is a free event and open to the public.
The Senior Expo is a conglomerated effort to provide a one day event where information from local agencies and businesses about "senior friendly" products and services are accessible.
In recognition of the growing number of senior citizens and retirees in the Central Texas area, the Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas, in partnership with Scott & White Health Plan, Scott & White Heart & Vascular Institute, Judge Burrows and Bell County Commissioners, Belton Journal and Cumulus Broadcasting have come together to host the Senior Expo, Agency Assistant Director and Benefits Counselor II, Sue Farrell said.
"Central Texans will leave this event with information that will empower them and their families to make informed decisions about their future," Farrell said.
On Sept. 25 the Area Agency booth will provide information on Medicare open enrollment, extra help and Medicare savings programs. Medicare open enrollment begins from Oct. 15th-Dec. 7th and individuals receiving Medicare can change their Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2013. Medicare beneficiaries need to mark their calendars for the open enrollment dates. In most cases, this will be the only chance some beneficiaries will have each year to make a change to their health and prescription drug coverage Farrell said.
During open enrollment, individuals can change their Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2013. On Jan. 1, 2013, new coverage begins if they switched or joined a new plan. New costs and benefit changes also begin if they kept their existing Medicare health or prescription drug coverage.
Extra help provided will be a federal program that can help Medicare beneficiaries pay for some or most of the costs of their Medicare prescription drug coverage. Health and prescription drug plans can decide not to participate in Medicare for the coming year. Plans will notify individuals by mail before the start of the open enrollment period if the plan decides to leave Medicare or stop providing coverage in the individual's area Farrell said.
Medicare savings programs will include those that help individuals with limited income and resources to pay some or all of their Medicare premiums and deductibles. Beginning Oct. 1st-Oct.15th, individuals should compare their current coverage with other available options to see if there is a better choice.
There are "possible" changes for 2013 in reference to health and prescription drug plans but this information is not available at this time. Information will be available prior to the Medicare open enrollment beginning Oct. 15th.
Upcoming classes available include a Matter of Balance class, Diabetes self-management workshops and a welcome to Medicare class. Balance classes are once a week, two hour sessions for eight weeks and held from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the Sammons Community Center, 2220 West Ave. D in Temple. A Medicare Benefits choice class begins from 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m. on Sept. 19th at the Central Texas Council of Governments, Conference Room B-D9, 2180 North Main St. in Belton.
Diabetes classes are once a week, two and a half hour sessions for six weeks and held from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Sept.13-Oct.18 at the Activity Center meeting rooms three and four, 1 Texas Drive, Sun City in Georgetown. Another Diabetes workshop will be held from 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Sept.10-Oct.15 at the Harker Heights Public Library, 400 Indian Trail.
"The Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas is the resource connection for all Central Texans regarding information and assistance about their benefits and long-term care options; short term care coordination; caregiver information and support systems; Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan enrollment; extra help; Medicare savings programs; Medicare basics; community based programs; Chronic Disease self-management programs and more," Farrell said.
To register for upcoming events or for more information call 800-447-7169/254-770-2330 or visit www.centexaaa.com.
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