skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Open Enrollment for Medicare Plans Begins Today

play audio
Play

Monday, October 15, 2012   

INDIANAPOLIS - In-person, by phone or on the Internet are options available to Hoosier seniors seeking help with their Medicare health and prescription drug plans during the 2012 open enrollment period, which begins today. State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) director Cheryl Saint Clair says there are medical plans to choose from, and some are bundled with prescription drug plans. She says there are also stand-alone plans, and people who can explain them.

"We do have about 320 trained volunteers throughout the state, that can actually sit down face-to-face with someone who would like to learn more information about their particular situation."

The SHIP statewide number is 800-452-4800. You can also get help online at www.medicare.gov. You'll need to have your Medicare card handy and know what prescriptions you take. Open enrollment lasts through December 7.

Saint Clair says it's against the law for insurance agents to contact you about Medicare Advantage plans without your previous permission, so beware of fraud. And watch out for those claiming to be from the government.

"If you get a call or somebody at the door that says they're a representative of Medicare or Social Security - I would be very hesitant to believe them, or give them any personal information or banking information."

She says you can report suspected fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol by calling 800-986-3505, so it can be investigated.

Tamra Simpson, project director for Indiana's Senior Medicare Patrol, says there's a comprehensive list of open enrollment events around the state.

"We have listed on the 'I4A' (IAAAA) website all of the different Medicare presentations that are going to be out there in the community, open enrollment events that some of the Area Agencies are having, some of the SHIP sites are having."

Simpson says to find the list, go to IAAAA.org and click on "events."


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …


Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021