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Information For Seniors Considering Food Stamps

Question: I have considered applying for food stamps, but I don’t know a lot about them. Can you tell me more about the food stamp program? Answer: Certainly! I am and always have been a strong supporter of this program. The Food Stamp (FS) Program is known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is a perfectly timed question as April is Senior Hunger Awareness Month. This month, we are reminded that access to nutritious food can be a challenge for many older adults in our community. Food insecurity ...

Ways To Resolve Questions Over New Medicare Cards

Question: I recently saw an article that Medicare is issuing new ID cards in March and April of this year. When will mine arrive? Answer: Well this topic may feel familiar, and that is because I wrote a similar article last year because there were over 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries getting new cards. Well this March and April the number of individuals receiving new Medicare cards will be over 1.3 Million. That is a significantly larger number of recipients, but it is not as common as it sounds. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not specify why the new cards were ...

What’s Behind Higher-Than-Expected Medicare Premium?

Question: I was told my Medicare Part B would cost $202.90, but my premium is much higher than that. Why? Answer: The Medicare Part B premium for most Americans in 2026 is $202.90. There are some that find they pay more than that and this can be for two reasons. One is that they enrolled in Medicare Part B late and so you have an enrollment penalty of 10% for each year they did not enroll. This penalty will continue to be an additional premium added to the monthly premium for the rest of your life. The only way to erase the Late Enrollment Penalty is by applying for and receiving ...

Explaining Why Some Medications Aren’t Covered Anymore

Question: I went to fill my medications, and I seem to be having problems. One medication was no longer covered, another one needed “permission” first, and then I received a letter saying I have to switch to another medication for a third drug I took last year. Why is this happening, they were all covered before? Answer: Well, this is a common occurrence in the first three months of the year with Medicare Part D. Remember that each year, the plans change not only the premium they charge, but also the medications they cover (their formulary) and how they cover those medications. ...

Learn More About Medicaid Savings Program

Question: I hear and get mail about benefits that pay their Medicare Part B premium. What is that and how do I get that? Answer: The program I believe you are asking about is called the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). This is a Medicaid benefit administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. Each year the income levels change, and this is new income information just released from the Federal Government. Often our Gross income is different than our Net income. (I remember the difference with a rhyme, “Net is what you Get”.) With ...

Explaining Prescription Coverage In Medicare

Question: I changed my insurance for 2026 and I am having trouble with my Prolia shot - what are my options? Answer: First let me explain what Prolia is for those that may not know. Prolia is a prescription injection, administered by a healthcare professional. It is usually given once every six months. The medication is designed to treat osteoporosis in men and women. The ‘administered by a healthcare professional’ part of that description is the key part to understanding how it is covered. There are a number of similar medications to Prolia, like Reclast, but for this article ...