Senior Center News, April 16, 2021

North Central Senior Citizens Center News

April 19-23

April menu by Earlene DeWinter, subject to change

Monday — Sloppy Joes, tator tots, salad, dessert

Tuesday — Spice applesauce, baked ham, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, pumpkin bars

Wednesday — Open-face hamburger steak sandwich, coleslaw, cookies

Thursday — Blueberry French toast bake, omelets, sausage hash brown bake, fruit

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

The Senior Center’s doors are still closed to the public. We are providing limited services by phone with individuals bringing their paperwork down to the center. Help is also being given over the phone when possible.

Tax preparation information

The AARP Tax season has ended.

They thank you for your patience in dealing with all the changes.

Transportation

The Senior Center is providing medical transportation only. Remember to call ahead for Friday’s appointments. Monday and Thursday rides have to be worked around grocery delivery.

Congregate meals

We are still continuing to provide meals at the Hill County Senior Center as “grab-and-go meals” while we are still closed. If you would like to pick up a meal, please be sure to call the Center before 10 a.m. to order your meal through the kitchen. Your meals may be picked up at the center from 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may order a meal for one day or put in your order for the entire week, whatever is more convenient.

Rummage Sale

Watch for information on the Senior Center Rummage Sale coming April 30 and May 1. Information will be forthcoming. We will have cinnamon rolls Saturday morning. You may pre-order your cinnamon rolls during the week of the Rummage Sale and pick them up Saturday morning. Pre-orders will be greatly appreciated.

Important phone numbers:

• Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

• Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

• Friendship Line by Institute on Aging - The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support calls. It is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Toll-Free Line: (800) 971-0016

• For those seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.

A quick guide for medicare first-timers

This information is to help those new to Medicare. If you have questions or need help, call the Hill County Senior Center, 406-265-5464.

Medicare is a national health insurance program backed by the U.S. government. Nearly all Americans who qualify for Original Medicare decide to enroll, since Medicare gets fantastic grades for patient satisfaction.

What’s this fuss about Medicare parts?

There are four different “parts” to Medicare — A, B, C, and D — plus Medicare Supplement. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are what you need to know.

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B): Together, Part A and Part B are the combined health insurance product known as Original Medicare. Original Medicare also serves as the foundation for private Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.

• Medicare Part A: Covers inpatient hospital care. You must enroll if you receive Social Security and are over the age of 65. Some people call Part A “hospital insurance.”

Part A covers:

• Inpatient hospital care

• Stays in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities - but there are limits on time

• Home services like home health visits

• Hospice care

• Medicare Part B: Covers outpatient doctor care. You can apply by contacting your local Social Security office. Some people call Part B “medical insurance.”

Part B covers:

• Outpatient medical services, including routine doctor visits

• Preventive services, like flu shots and mammograms

• Equipment or tests administered during outpatient services

• Medication administered during outpatient visits

Supplemental Coverage: It’s strongly recommended that you sign up for additional coverage to save money on healthcare costs. Although you can rely on Original Medicare alone, most people with Medicare also join a privately-run supplementary plan.

With Original Medicare, you’ll still have to pay for prescription drugs, emergency care in foreign countries and your first three pints of medically-necessary blood per year. You’re also still on the hook for deductibles and co-payments of up 20 percent on Part B costs.

Supplementary plans are a very affordable way to cover these costs.

• Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage):

• Medicare Advantage plans replace your Original Medicare with health care from a familiar insurance company.

• These plans are required to cover everything that Original Medicare does. Many plans are $0 per month and include prescription drug coverage.

• Most importantly, these plans have a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum and can include additional benefits that aren’t part of Original Medicare (like hearing aids).

• However, you will be tied to the insurance plan’s doctor network.

• Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans):

• Prescription drug payments generally aren’t covered by Original Medicare.

• Medicare Part D plans add prescription drug coverage to your existing Medicare benefits. Many Part C plans are bundled with Part D coverage.

• Medicare Supplement (Medigap):

• Medicare Supplement plans fill the “gaps” in coverage that you would otherwise be see under Original Medicare.

• All plans cover your Part A hospital costs, and give you extra time in the hospital.

• Most plans cover your full Part B coinsurance.

• Some plans even cover your Original Medicare deductibles and excess charges.

Basic facts about Medicare

Social Security: For your coverage to start as soon as possible, you have to sign up at your local Social Security office during one of the 3 months prior to your birthday month.

Remember: even if you automatically get Medicare Part A, you’ll still need to manually enroll in Medicare Part B.

• You have a 7-month initial enrollment period during which you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B without penalty.

Is Medicare free?

Original Medicare isn’t free, but it’s a more affordable option than anything else.

You don’t have to pay for Medicare Part A under most circumstances (the monthly premium for Part A is $0 for those who have worked long enough to quality for Social Security benefits). You’ll still need to pay a deductible for each hospital stay before Part A covers some of your hospital costs, but Medicare Supplement and most Medicare Advantage plans cover this.

The premium for Medicare Part B is generally $144 per month, although the exact cost will depend on your tax returns from two years ago. Additionally, you’ll need to pay 20 percent of your medical costs on Part B, but Medicare Supplement and most Medicare Advantage plans pay this for you too.

When do I get my Medicare card?

If you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare, then your official Medicare card will arrive in the mail two to three months before you’re eligible. Otherwise, your card will arrive about three weeks after you apply for Medicare coverage. The sooner you apply, the sooner your card will be ready. You can access benefits as soon as your coverage begins.