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Cut Your Medicare Prescription Drug Costs With ‘Extra Help’

Great news: thanks to the new prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, in 2024 people with Medicare may qualify for even more savings through the Extra Help program. This program helps some people pay their Medicare drug coverage (Part D) costs, like premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs. In 2024, the program will expand and you may qualify. How does Extra Help lower my costs? In 2024, everyone who qualifies for Extra Help will pay: ≤ $0 for your Medicare drug plan premium. ≤ $0 for your plan deductible. ≤ A reduced amount for both generic and ...

Discussing The Needs Of Older Adults In Our Community

This past summer and fall, the OFAS staff and I visited many senior and disabled housing units to talk about the needs of older adults in our community. We learned a lot but one thing that some people mentioned was a lack of access to local attractions and events like the National Comedy Center. While we were discussing this, I learned about a program I had never heard of before called “Museums for All.” “Museums for All” allows those receiving SNAP benefits to get free or reduced admission to more than 1,200 museums throughout the United States by simply presenting their SNAP ...

Be Sure To Show Your Insurance Cards

Question: Do I need to show my insurance cards every time I see a provider or go to the pharmacy? What is your advice? Answer: I have been asked this question many times. My answer is almost always ‘to carry your insurance cards with you all the time’. You never know when you might need them. Your insurance may have changed for the new year; it is your responsibility to inform those providers of the change. This is also the time of year when you want to be sure that your pharmacy, doctors and other providers have your current insurance cards. You may have one plan for 2023 and a ...

Time To Get That Warm Cozy Feeling!

I have to say that fall foods are some of my all-time favorites! The savory flavors mixed with sweet spice flavors, and oh, the smells! It just feels like a mouth full of coziness. When the weather turns cold, our spice cabinet changes. The top spices for fall are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. When mixed with savory spices such as cumin, rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, parsley, and bay leaves; the blend offers comfort and warmth with a bit of nostalgia. Each fall, I look forward to a drive around the county. Not only looking at the peak colors, but stopping at the ...

‘Little Dipper’ Wins Boat Show Awards

When Andy Robinson and Tom Calalesina, volunteers at The Lawson Boat Museum and Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake, brought the refinished 1939 Century Sea Maid “Little Dipper” to the 44th Annual Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic Boat Show to display it, little did they know that they ...

Some Tips To Find Information About Medicare, Other Products

Question: I am trying to figure out the Medicare options for my mother, can you direct me to resources to find information about Medicare and other insurance products? Answer: For those individuals that are comfortable using the internet to search for solutions, there are many resources out there. I appreciate you helping your mother with this task. I would encourage you to use www.medicare.gov. This is the most useful resource for anyone with Medicare. You can create an online username and password for your mother that will be useful each year as you evaluate her insurance options. ...