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Summer Nutrition Programs: Brought To You By Chaut. County Office For Aging

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income older adults access to locally grown produce. Each year Ag & Markets works with state and local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices. Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services (OFAS) then distributes the $25 value coupon booklets of this well-loved program to income eligible older adults. The purpose of the program is to promote improved nutrition through increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as expand sales at farm stands and farmers markets. You are eligible for this ...

I Hear About ‘Telehealth’, But I Don’t Know What That Is. Should I Be Using That?

Question: I Hear About ‘Telehealth’, But I Don’t Know What That Is. Should I Be Using That? Answer: Telehealth is the ability to access health related services and communications via phone and the internet. It allows local and long-distance patient and provider contact to provide care, advice, reminders, education, monitoring and so much more. Prior to COVID, Telehealth was not as common, and many health insurance products didn’t cover this type of appointment. With the COVID pandemic our healthcare system and our society made significant adjustments to how care and ...

Why Are Medications Priced Differently Now?

Question: My new doctor says that my Prolia shot will be very expensive. When my previous physician gave me the shot it was covered in full. Why the difference in cost? Answer: Vaccine and injections prescribed by our physicians are covered differently depending on what the injection is for. Original Medicare Part A would cover any injection given as part of a hospital stay. Medicare Part B covers outpatient services including some injections and vaccines; the Flu shot, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal and COVID-19. These vaccines are administered either in a doctor’s office, health clinic ...

What Can HelpAllay Concerns About Falls?

Question: My mother has become unsteady on her feet and I worry about falling and her needing help. What do you recommend? Answer; This question is a commonly asked question when talking with families. One suggestion I have and may be very useful is called a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). A PERS is a wearable device in the form of a necklace, wristband, or watch band that you can press to access emergency help. There are MANY brands; Life Alert, LifeLine, ADT, and many others. ConnectAmerica is a company that Chautauqua County has a contract with and they are worth ...

Question: I received a letter from the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services, telling me I have to complete a form by the end of the month to continue benefits. I haven’t done this before. Is this real or a scam? Answer: There are many programs under the umbrella of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS); one of them being Medicaid. There are many types and levels of Medicaid. During the Public Health Emergency (PHE) caused by COVID, many rules were put on hold. Now that the PHE is officially over, those rules are now being reinstituted. This means ...

EPIC Program Helps Combat Rising Drug Prices

Over the past few years we have been seeing rising costs almost everywhere we go. One of the most concerning is the rising cost of life saving medications. To combat rising drug prices and ensure the wellbeing of our Older Americans New York State has a program called Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage, generally referred to as EPIC. EPIC helps more than 325,000 income-eligible participants aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Older Americans can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled ...