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Mayville Senior Citizens to meet July 16

MAYVILLE - The Mayville Senior Citizens will meet July 16 for the group’s hot dog luncheon. Members met recently, with a moment of silence to remember members Louise Richir and Gerald White who recently passed away. The group’s trivia team - Janet Loomis, Sandi Wagner and Jeff Wagner - won first place in the United Senior Council’s trivia contest and earned $100. The kitchen committee—Bonnie J. Johnson, Rita Himes, and Fran Miller—was thanked for its service. Sharon Plucinski moved that the group donate to Santa for Seniors. A box for monetary donations will be available ...

Medicare users to gain access to GLP-1’s

Question: I would like to take one of those “weight loss drugs” but my Medicare plan doesn’t cover it. What options do I have? Answer: Let me first define these newer, more common “weight loss drugs” you’ve been seeing are mostly medications called GLP-1’s. These are medications that were designed to treat diabetes, but we have discovered they are also an effective medication for weight loss. Right now, these GLP-1’s are covered under Medicare Part B when an individual has Diabetes AND diagnosis like heart disease and others. If you don’t have multiple diagnoses ...

Conditions To Join Transamerica Supplement Plans

Question: I have original Medicare with a supplement, and my friend has similar coverage, but they pay a lot less. They said their supplement is through a company called Transamerica, so I called them to ask about enrolling in one of their plans, but they said they were no longer selling Individual Medicare Supplements in New York. Is there anything I can do to get a Transamerica plan, or lower my monthly premium? Answer: This is a question with many layers. When you use your Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan in New York State (and most states) they are ...

When To Sign Up For Social Security

Question: I am turning 65 this coming August and wondering: should I sign up for Social Security? Answer: You become eligible to file for Social Security Benefits when you are 62, and this is considered early retirement. For those born in 1960 and after, Full Retirement Age (FRA) for Social Security Benefits is 67. How much you receive is based on your work history, using the best 35 years of earnings and when you file for your benefits. As you are working throughout your life, your wages and taxes are put into the Social Security Administration (SSA) System. This earnings record is ...

Late Enrollment Penalty Letter Prompts Questions

Question: I am new to Medicare, and I just retired. I received paperwork telling me I have a Late Enrollment Penalty and have to pay more money for my premiums? What should I do? Do I have to pay this? Answer: (This is a second part to last week’s question. But this is addressing Part D Benefits). The steps for getting onto Medicare are different for everyone, and the timeline to join can be different too. Every individual has a different set of variables they bring to the table when discussing Medicare and when to join. Most individuals become eligible for Medicare ...

Third-Party Medicare Mailings Likely Legitimate

Question; I recently received a packet of information from a third party who appears to be affiliated with my Medicare Advantage Plan. It says I may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program you talked about a few weeks ago. It wants me to fill out the paperwork and send all my personal documents to them, and they will apply on my behalf. Is this a good idea? Answer: I have recently received this type of question many times from individuals with Medicare Advantage Plans. Many of those Insurance companies, hire third party companies to handle this issue. So, the mail you received is ...