Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2015)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 ❚ SIUSLAW NEWS 9B Medicare Open Enrollment: What Baby Boomers Need To Know This model is more like a traditional HMO. The coverage is more expansive than the Part A/B/D model, and there are caps on how much an individual will be asked to pay out-of- pocket, unlike the Part A/B/D model, which has no out-of- pocket cap. But with Part C, there is less patient control over doctor choice. The trade-offs essentially mirror the HMO vs. PPO trade-offs we make in the private insurance market. To avoid penalties, anyone turning 65 must choose to enroll in Medicare A, B and D, or Medicare C. Part A is free to anyone who has worked for at least 10 years. There are monthly payments associated with Parts B and C. There are a number of different coverage plans under Part D, each with a different level of coverage and patient co-pay for prescription drugs. Deadline Those who do not enroll in Medicare within three months of their 65th birthday are subject to penalties and higher monthly fees after enrollment. For example, if some- one misses the initial enrollment period for Part B, he or she faces an additional monthly premium of 10 percent for every full 12 months he or she was eligible but did not enroll. Registration for Part C is available during initial enroll- ment period or during annual enrollment periods, without penalty, once Medicare coverage is in place. What Does Medicare Cover? Part A (Hospital Insurance) Medicare Part A covers hospitalization expenses, includ- ing hospital care, nursing home care, hospice and home health services. It is free if you already receive or are eligible to receive Social Security benefits, if you or your spouse has worked and paid taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years), or if you are the parent of a fully insured deceased child. There may be other circumstances, such as specific medical condi- tions, that allow an individual to qualify for Medicare Part A before he or she turns 65. Part B (Medical Insurance) Medicare Part B covers medical and preventive care serv- Y ELLOW D ELECTRICAL CCB #96660 Environmentally Responsible Free Inspections Upholstery 541-997-4027 CCB#79884 SteamWay Carpet Cleaning SIUSLAW VALLEY ELECTRIC, INC. Family owned & operated All major credit cards accepted Licensed • Certified Insured Phone 997-8821 • FAX 997-3723 Living in the Florence area since 1979. COAST REAL ESTATE EXCAVATING 100 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 tfc 997-2385. Florence Janitorial Services For clean as a whistle, call DEQ#37263 Ray Wells, Inc CB# 91052 E XCAVATING • S EPTIC S YSTEMS • S UBDIVISIONS L AND C LEARING • P AVING • T RUCKING B RUSH & D EBRIS R ECYCLING • D EMOLITION Bill and Jo Hine, Owners CERTIFIED, LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED P H . 541-997-2054 • F AX 541-997-3499 • 1-877-201-0652 P.O. B OX 3467 • 1770 L AUREL P L . • F LORENCE , OR 97439 Berg’s Cleaning & Misc. Services You Think It…We Clean It • Our Motto is “Just Ask” Indoor/Outdoor Residential & Business Cleaning LEISURE EXCAVATING INC. Including but not limited to: Construction Clean-Up, Windows, Pressure Washing, Gutters, Carpet, Hard Flooring & More. Voted #1 Reader’s Choice Cleaning Services REAL ESTATE Lynnette Wikstrom – Broker (541) 999-0786 Store Hours: Mon. thru Fri., 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Forrest Grigsby • P.O. Box 1216 • sve-1973-grigsby@hotmail.com D-085 CCB #96660 Tweety Sez: Consistent, Quality Cleaning. D-222 RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING 1710 Laurel Way - Airport Industrial Park Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 541-999-5169 PEST CONTROL For What’s Bugging You STEAM OR DRY Smoke • Water Cleanup Certified-Bonded D-070 D-182 CARPET CLEANING 997-3825 covered by Medicare Parts A, B and D. These are not a gov- ernment benefit, but rather insurance policies sold by private companies. Medigap plans are not necessary if you are covered under Part C. Affordable Care Act It is important to note that individuals who use Medicare are not affected by the ACA and DO NOT HAVE TO CHANGE their coverage. For the complete Medicare Guide or for more informa- tion on the Transamerica Center for Health Studies, visit www.transamericacenterforhealthstudies.org/affordable- care-act/medicare-guide. • The Transamerica Center for Health Studies(r) is a division of the Transamerica Institute(r), a nonprofit, pri- vate foundation. The Transamerica Center for Health Studies (TCHS) is focused on empowering consumers and employers so that they can achieve the best value and pro- tection from their health coverage, as well as the best out- comes in their personal health and wellness. Although care has been taken in preparing this material and presenting it accurately, TCHS disclaims any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of any material contained herein and any liability with respect to it. S D-077 CLEANING SERVICES Major credit cards accepted Understanding your options when it comes to signing up for Medicare can help you save time, trouble and money. IRECTORY ERVICES Ore. BBR No. 8689 D-057 ices, such as lab tests, flu shots, ambulance services, clinical research, medical bills and medical equipment. The majori- ty of Part B benefits are subject to a yearly deductible ($147 in 2015) and out-of-pocket co-payments, co-insurance and monthly premiums. The standard Part B monthly premium for 2015 will be $104.90. Your actual payment will depend on your income and assets. Those with a lower income or assets may be eligible to receive assistance with Part B payments through a variety of programs, such as Medicaid. Part C (Medicare Advantage) Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private compa- nies approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and are similar to private insurance that’s available through the traditional health insurance marketplace. Medicare Advantage Plans cover emergency and urgent care needs and may offer extra coverage for vision, hearing, den- tal, and health and wellness programs. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage similar to Medicare Part D. Monthly premiums for a Medicare Advantage Plan are separate from the Part B monthly premium. Medicare Advantage Plans, by law, have an out-of-pocket maximum of no more than $6,700 per year, while Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not have an out-of-pocket maximum. Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Enrollment in Part D is not automatic and there is a late enrollment fee for signing up after the initial enrollment period. All the prescription drug plans vary in cost and cov- erage options. Medigap If you decide to go the Part A/B/D route, it’s important to know that Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and there is no cap on what you might be asked to pay out-of-pocket. To help, you have the option of buying what is called a Medigap plan. These are supplemental policies that cover services not 541-997-1288 • 541-999-9285 bergscleaning@hotmail.com CCB #192681 DEQ #37943 CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTORS 20+ years Experience D-135 LANDSCAPE MATERIALS • CAT WORK • CLEARING GRADING • SAND & GRAVEL - U-HAUL or DELIVERY BARK • CEMENT MIX • DRAIN FIELD ROCK • SEPTIC SYSTEMS TOPSOIL WHEN AVAILABLE Call for Free Estimate – D-262 VETERINARIANS Lower Umpqua Veterinary Clinic We do Endoscopic Procedures, Ultrasound & Lazer Therapy Treatment 199 Port Dock Road, Reedsport, OR 97647 Ph: 541-271-4696 Fax: 541-271-2671 www.lowerumpquaveterinaryclinic.net D-266 WINDOWS 997-6300 LANDSCAPING/NURSERIES Yes! WE DO WINDOWS! Window Cleaning Commercial • Residential Light Commercial & Residential 541-999-8727 Connie, Bill & Mike Spinner–997-8721 CCB#127088 Bonded & Insured Charles D. Benson Residential Remodeling Special Needs Baths • Ramps • Doorways • Kitchens • ccb# Robert’s Handyman Service & Construction, Inc. G ENERAL C ONTRACTOR We specialize in Structural Problems and Dry Rot Call Robert or Marcus 541-997-5970 • 541-991-7870 (cell) 30 Years Experience • Senior Discount • Lic. #78935 • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • • Reasonable Rates • • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Reasonable Rates • Jack Mobley Construction, Inc. • Remodeling • New Construction • Sub-Contracting • Additions • Foundations & Flatwork 541-997-2197 CCB#164472 Siuslaw News Yellow Directory P.O. Box 10, 148 Maple Street, Florence, Oregon 97439 (541) 997-3441 • Fax: (541) 997-7979 BearClaw Construction No Job is too small Pressure Washing to Preservation one call does it all. 5 4 1 - 9 9 9 - 9 2 1 1 Servicing Florence and the Pacific N. W. for over 14 years. tfc CONSTRUCTION , Inc. CCB#164861 CCB#203797 Residential & Light Commercial Roofing, Siding, Windows, Doors, Dry Rot, Custom Decking, Painting: int & ext, Tile Setting Call the Siuslaw News to find out how you can be included in the Yellow Directory Services at an affordable rate. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK (NAPSA)-Don’t look now, but the baby boomers are starting to retire. Between 8,000 and 10,000 of them will turn 65 each day for the next 15 years. As more and more Americans near this milestone age, important decisions about when to retire and when to sign up for Medicare ben- efits will be on the minds of millions of Americans. This new generation of retirees is living and working longer than the generations before. Increasingly, new seniors are looking for guidance on health insurance options, including Medicare benefits, as they consider delaying retire- ment or continuing to work part-time past age 65. In an effort to inform Americans nearing their mid-60s (and their families) about Medicare benefits, enrollment deadlines and tips for avoiding penalties, the Transamerica Center for Health Studies (TCHS) has developed a helpful guide that lays out the key information in one place. Medicare Open Enrollment Medicare offers health coverage for anyone 65 or older, regardless of income, if he or she worked or paid taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). Seniors are eligible to enroll in Medicare for the three months leading up to and after their 65th birthday. So if you were turning 65 in April 2015, for example, you would be eligible to enroll in Medicare from January through July of this year. Anyone else seeking to sign up in the program or make changes to his or her Medicare benefits can do so only dur- ing an eight-week period every fall known as Open Enrollment. The period typically begins in early October and runs until early December. Medicare ABCs There are two essential options for Medicare coverage. One option is to obtain Part A, B and D coverage. Part A covers hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance. Part D is prescription drug coverage. These three parts work together to create an insurance package that is similar to a fee-for-service/PPO model that many health plans offer. The other option is to obtain coverage under Part C.