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Using Veterans Benefits Can Help Seniors Who Qualify

Question: I have Medicare Part A & B. I am also a veteran. I never tried to get Veteran Benefits, is it worth it? Answer: Thank You for your Service! Your military service gives you the title of veteran and that is something to be proud of. Not all veterans sign up for additional benefits upon discharge. As a veteran, you could be eligible for medical care through the VA clinics and hospitals or eligible for a veteran pension. I do encourage you to work with the VA and see if you are eligible for any health benefits and potentially financial benefits. Chautauqua and Cattaraugus ...

Explaining Calls From Insurance Companies

Question: I keep getting calls from insurance companies asking about my Medicare coverage, I thought Open Enrollment was over? Answer: This is such a common question this time of year. I probably answer it very similarly every year this time of year. The Annual Open enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7 annually. You are correct that period of time is in the past. From January 1 to March 31, we have what is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP). This is an opportunity for individuals with a Medicare Advantage Plan to switch to any other type ...

Reader Looks For Ways To Decrease Isolation

Question: I am looking around my life and feeling like I don’t have a part in the world around me. There are so many things I can’t control. I am not sure what to do – can you help? Answer: My first response is: come let me give you a hug! I am so sorry to hear you are feeling that way. I want you to understand that there is help out there for you. There are also a lot of things in your life you can control. You have Medicare and ALL the products that go with Medicare coverage do cover mental health services. If you have original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement, you can see ...

How To Make Sure Prescriptions Are Filled

Question: I want to be sure I can get my medications after the first of the year. What should I do? Answer: This last three months have been very intense for many of those with Medicare. There are many plans that were discontinued and therefore more than a third of the population in Western New York with Medicare had to find new insurance. That means a LOT of people have new insurance cards this month. All of that information needs to be communicated to providers when you go to the office. That also means that new information needs to be communicated at your pharmacy. All those records ...

Suggestions For Senior Citizen’s Gifts

Question: The holidays are here and I can’t imagine what to get my parents. They are starting to downsize and keep saying they don’t want anything. I don’t know what they need. What ideas do you have? Answer: Christmas time and the holiday season can be stressful. We want to be sure we remember to give gifts to everyone we love. But what to get them? What do they need. Also giving stuff just to give stuff, doesn’t really help anyone. So hopefully this helps. Our older family, neighbors, and friends rely on those that help them to make their life better. Sometimes this can be ...

A Few Options Remain To Change Plans

Question: I did not switch my insurance by the December 7 deadline and that may have been a mistake. What chance for change do I have? Answer: The Annual Open Enrollment has ended. There are 20 Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) that are available to individuals that meet those different SEP criteria. I am going to focus on two opportunities for switching plans, EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) & those whose plan is no longer offered in 2026. EPIC is a New York State Pharmacy Assistance Program that provides secondary coverage when paying for your medications at the ...