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September 2005 Vol. 24. No. 9
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
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Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
Plus in this issue catch more news, opinions, features, book reviews, and event calendars.
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Ask HICAP What does the new Medicare and You handbook tell you? by Anne Antoville All people who get Medicare receive a Medicare and You handbook in the mail once a year. This handbook is printed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services which administers the Medicare Program. This year, the Medicare and You handbook will look different than it has in past years. It will contain a lot of new information regarding changes in Medicare and new choices for Medicare coverage. Medicare Drug Plans Medicare will have a new prescription drug benefit that begins in January 2006. You can sign up for this benefit beginning in November 2005. The new Medicare and You handbook will have a description of the Medicare drug plans available for beneficiaries in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. You will have at least two drug plans to choose from. You can use your Medicare and You handbook to find plans available locally and to read about the plan costs and benefits. The Medicare drug plans are private plans endorsed by Medicare. If you decide to enroll in a Medicare drug plan, you will have to contact the private company that sells the plan in order to enroll. Medicare Advantage Beginning in 2006, Medicare Advantage plans will be available in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare-managed care plans. In the past Medicare Advantage has been called Medicare HMO. If you enroll in Medicare Advantage you would use this plan instead of the original Medicare. The new Medicare and You handbook will have information about Medicare Advantage plans that will be available in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. If you have a particular medical provider, you may want to check that your provider will accept the Medicare Advantage plan before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have questions about Medicare drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans, you can call HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. Humboldt 707-443-9747 or Del Norte 707-464-7876, toll free 800-434-0222. Anne Antoville is HICAP manager for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. |
Senior News