Blog Posts

October 3, 2019 By Frank Nelson

Don’t Get Caught Saying “Oh No” when Medicare Changes in 2020!

Did you know that every year everything changes?

Oct.15 – Dec.7 is your opportunity to review upcoming changes in 2020 and decide if your coverage is still the best option related to your current health and cost changes.

There are 2 ways you can have your Medicare benefits. One way to have your Medicare healthcare is Original Medicare with 4 separate parts which would include a Part D plan and Medigap Supplemental product. The other way you can have your Medicare healthcare is through a managed care plan called an Advantage plan.

Every year everything changes.

The projected 2020 Advantage plan premiums represent a 23 percent drop from 2018 premium levels. CMS also noted that plan choices have multiplied. Benefits have expanded and Medicare Advantage enrollment is rising.

In the 6 county region served by our HICAP, Advantage plan choices are increasing from 19 to 37 plans in 2020.

2020 Original Medicare Part D prescription plan company choices in our region also increased from 30 to 32 plans for 2020. Premiums, deductibles, formularies and copays for each plan have also changed for next year.

Question: Who is responsible for your healthcare?

If you’re in an Advantage plan, will your Dr. still be in our plan’s network and will additional benefits still be covered?

If you have Original Medicare with a Part D plan, will your prescriptions still be in their formulary and are you paying the lowest amount for your plan and medications? Part D premiums next year will range from $12.80/month up to $118.40/month.

If your healthcare is your responsibility, are you meeting with HICAP to review what your options are for 2020 or are you one of those who doesn’t check then places a frantic call to us when Jan. 1st is here and you discover your physician coverage has significantly changed or certain prescriptions in the formulary are no longer covered?

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment by calling 800-434-0222 or Attend an Unbiased Seminar in your area.

HICAP is a free & unbiased service through the CA Dept. of Aging.

Our goal is to provide truly unbiased help so you can make more informed decisions about your Medicare healthcare before you step out there and deal with agents & plans.

A blog post from Senior Advocacy Services – senioradvocacyservices.org

August 29, 2019 By Frank Nelson

It’s Nearing! Annual Enrollment for Medicare

Starting in October, there is a bit of hysteria in the Medicare world. This is because the Annual Enrollment Period is nearing – and most Medicare beneficiaries believe that this is the only time when they can make any change to their coverage.

However, contrary to what many think, Annual Enrollment Period of October 15 – December 7 is actually not the only time to make changes to your Medicare coverage.Read More

August 29, 2019 By Crista Barnett Nelson

Fall Prevention. 5 Technologies that can Help.

“What if all homes could be suitable for anyone, regardless of a person’s age or physical ability? What if a person who wants to live independently, regardless of his or her age or physical ability, could do just that?” – From AARP’s HomeFit Guide.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in those 65 years and older. As a former Ombudsman, I visited with many older adults living in long term care who ended up there because they fell in their home. Concerned family members gathered and decided that their parent/grandparent/spouse could no longer live at home as it was ‘not safe’.

In this Assistive Technology (AT) for Aging post, I’m going to talk about 5 technologies that help to prevent falls.

August 28, 2019 By Crista Barnett Nelson

What Does Kindness Look Like? Celebrating the Valuable Work Our Volunteers Do.

Senior Advocacy Services has a long history of working with a large cadre of generous volunteers helping to advocate for and inform seniors across six counties (Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Solano, Mendocino, and Lake). Our volunteers provide tangible results and intangible qualities that not only brighten the days of our aging population but also make a direct impact on their safety and quality of life.

Ways we depend upon our Volunteers

August 28, 2019 By Crista Barnett Nelson

Emergency Preparedness 2019. A Look Back to Look Ahead.

The call came in to the Ombudsman of the Day about a week after the 2017 Sonoma County Fires.

“They left my mother in her apartment during the fire!”

Where was your mom living?

“In an assisted living facility. She called me from her apartment during the fire. My mom could see the flames and smell the smoke. She didn’t have any electricity. She is 90 and was scared and she didn’t understand what was going on.”

She wasn’t evacuated?

“No, they left her in her apartment! No one came to help her get out. When she called me, I couldn’t understand and asked her Where are You? She said in her apartment. I couldn’t believe it, so I jumped in my car and drove up there. At first the emergency services refused to let me in and said that the facility had evacuated everyone. I had to convince them that my mom was STILL IN HER APARTMENT!”

July 29, 2019 By Crista Barnett Nelson

Technology for Aging in Place – Apps for Managing Medications

The goal of many of us as we age is to stay as independent as possible. One of the challenges we confront as we move into ‘older adult’ status is to manage our medications – remember when and which medication to take, remember to refill medications before they run out, and get support from others if we forget. Technology can help! It can help older adults to stay independent as long as possible and make family members feel secure in knowing we are still safe in our home.

July 29, 2019 By Donata Mikulik

Calling All Volunteers – We have a spot for YOU!

Do you know that Senior Advocacy Services relies on the work of our volunteers to reach seniors across Sonoma County? Our next Ombudsman Training begins in August, and we need more volunteers to help advocate for residents of long term care facilities across our county.

July 18, 2019 By Frank Nelson

Take Advantage of Medicare’s Preventive Services

Did you know Medicare gives you access to a variety of preventive tests and screenings, most at no cost to you?

For example, Medicare covers screenings for diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and more.

June 25, 2019 By Donata Mikulik

Elder Abuse Awareness Month Covered by KTVU Channel 2

On Monday June 24^th, KTVU Channel 2 news reached out to Senior Advocacy Services about a story highlighting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.

Coincidentally, not long before the TV request, the SAS Elder Justice Coordinator, Donata Mikulik, met a community member Ezra Gardener Rust who had fallen victim to a phone scam that cost him approximately $32,000. Read More

May 1, 2019 By Frank Nelson

Beware of DNA Scam

Be advised that California Senior Medicare Patrol has seen an alarming increase in fraudulent billing where older adults are deceived into submitting to a cheek swab procedure (aka genetic testing). The scammer claims the procedure tests for cancer and/or other health-related benefits and that is fully covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal.

The scammers offer their fraudulent services to administrators at senior centers, senior residential facilities and other locations including setting up stands at supermarkets and other public locations.

We have additional reports that insurance agents and other service-oriented professionals are unknowingly recruited to serve as lead generators.

Please help us prevent the victimization of our older adults by alerting your networks to this most recent fraud scam. Please, also let us know others who would benefit from this alert.

Micki Nozaki, Director

California Senior Medicare Patrol