After last month’s column, I received some questions about Medicare and Supplemental Insurance Programs.
Medicare (which most of us are paying about $65 a month) will help cover some of our hospital bills, some outpatient and home health care, durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, etc.) and preventive vaccines, as well as yearly wellness visits to our primary care physicians.
What we are receiving now are phone calls from private insurance companies who offer supplemental insurance programs. These programs can help pay for the medical bills which Medicare does not cover.
Some of these programs will also provide coverage for medications, dental, vision and hearing needs.
What these private insurance programs cost varies with each company in relation to what coverage you want. For instance, my husband and I each pay $29 a month and we have dental and vision coverage included with our drug and medical coverage. If we were with a more expensive plan, with this same company, we would be eligible for free medical alert buttons.
If you are not sure about what coverage you want, and you are not that familiar with the different insurance agencies, you might want to attend one of the seminars offered by the Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency On Aging. On Oct. 30, they are offering a seminar entitled “Medicare Made Simple.” The program will be held at the Hartville Kitchen (1015 Edison St. NE in Hartville). Checkin is at 11 a.m.
This free seminar includes lunch!
To make a reservation, call 1-877-770-5558.
Save the date Sept. 25. The Aurora and Streetsboro Senior Centers are co-hosting a Health Fair on this date at the Atrium of Anna Maria in Aurora.
The hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The staff from University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna will be providing health screenings. Many vendors will be present with all of their information, including the Medical Guardian Medical Alert program, sponsored by the Auxiliary of UH Portage Medical Center.
And of course, there will be raffles!
The Atrium of Anna Maria is located on state Route 43 (800 N. Aurora Road) in Aurora. This facility is a senior living community for “active minded senior citizens.”
For additional information about the Health Fair, or the Streetsboro Senior Center, contact Theresa Summers at 330-626-2398.
Contact Sally Kelly with your senior news at 330-687-9501.
Sally Kelly