Question: My spouse and I have Long Term Care Insurance, but we are not sure how to use it? Answer: Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is an insurance product that is designed to help a person pay for the care he receives when they are sick. LTCI is not health insurance. It really is care ...

After the hard year of 2020, Spring 2021 seems like a bright, shining beacon of light! One can breathe a sigh of relief at being able to be done with the snow, the hard weather that has kept us indoors, and the struggles which we have faced this past year. So, here’s to Spring! To flowers, ...

March 2021. It has been a difficult year for everyone but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been especially difficult for older adults who have been on lockdown for a year, unable to interact with family or friends for fear of catching the virus. You have good ...

As a result of the pandemic, you may have stocked your pantry and fridge with plenty of shelf-stable and perishable foods to reduce the number of trips to the grocery store. Did you know that most people toss 30-40% of the food they buy? Often this is due to the date consumers find on ...

Your Medicare Summary is a valuable tool to DETECT Medicare Fraud! A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a report of doctor’s visits, services or supplies billed to Medicare in your name. ≤ It is mailed every 3 months, but you can go online to MyMedicare.gov to view your MSN 24 hours a ...

Learn about signing up for Medicare! Originally planned for April 7, 2021, this event has been moved to June 23, 2021. Go to www.shiphelp.org to learn more. Registration will open in April. This virtual Medicare fair is for people turning 65 or joining Medicare because of a disability. Learn ...

Finding the right kind of help can be a difficult task. Each situation is different with unique individuals, supports, and needs. NY Connects is your trusted place to go for free, unbiased information and assistance. We can help you link to long term services and supports, such as home care, ...

Wow! It has been almost a year since we shut down the county due to COVID-19. While we have made a lot of progress toward safely moving around and doing business, there is still a lot to do. We have many more months ahead of us of sanitizing, masking and social distancing even with vaccines ...

If you are 65 + (or turning 65 soon) and will have both Medicare and Employer Coverage too because you are still actively working, you have a number of things to think through. You likely have options to keep your employer insurance and Medicare will coordinate with that coverage. You’ll ...

Question: When will my new insurance for 2021 begin? Answer: During open enrollment many people evaluate their insurance coverage and make a change to a better plan for their needs in the coming year. Once this has been done, the first thing that usually happens is you receive a welcome ...

Question: Why does the medicare.gov website show n/a for pricing of 2021 prescription drug plans No. 1 and No. 2? Answer: Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment is until Dec.7 and using the medicare.gov website is always an interesting time for us and all those with Medicare. This year ...

Question: How may insulin be less expensive in 2021? Answer: Insulin has been very expensive for a number of years. I have seen many Medicare eligible people spend thousands of dollars each year to pay for their insulin. This year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has ...

Do you have a Medicare Advantage Plan? Are you a diabetic who takes insulin? If you answered YES to both questions, you may be able to apply for a Medicare Part D plan choice that offers insulin co-payments of no more that $35 for a 30-day supply. These choices apply to Medicare Part D ...

The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine. Everyone over 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine every year according to the New York state Health department. The campaign slogan says, “Stop the Flu It’s Up to You”. And it really is! Get your flu shot now in the ...

I have been fortunate to work side-by-side with someone I consider a mentor with a gentle strength. Don’t let her calm, soft-spoken demeanor fool you; she is a force and has been integral to the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services Senior Nutrition Program for the past 31 years. We ...

2020 has been all about change for all of you as well as our office. Late last year before the pandemic hit, our advisory council voted to change our name to the Office for Aging Services. A small change that we hoped would better emphasize the services we provide rather than “aging” which ...

Question: What happens now that my prescription drug plan will not be offered in 2021? Answer: This year there are only three plans that will not be offered in 2021. The three monthly plans are Magellan Rx Medicare Basic, $35.80, Journey Rx Standard, $32.80, and Journey Rx Value, $26.10. ...

Question: Why is there a difference in price between a shingles vaccine and a flu shot? Answer: Immunizations are covered by different parts of your Medicare coverage. The flu shot, along with the pneumococcal vaccine are covered under Original Medicare Part B. Both of these vaccines have been ...

A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is not a bill. It is a notice mailed quarterly to Medicare Beneficiaries which includes a list of services provided during the past 3 months. It will also list any services that were denied or not covered by Medicare. An Explanation of Benefits (EOB), is a ...

Water makes up about 70% of the human body. From our bloodstream to inside each and every cell, it is required in every life-sustaining body process. Water is very important to our health, yet is often overlooked in our diets. In addition to providing cushion and temperature control, water ...