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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2003)
SILETZ NEWS A monthly publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon Vol. 31, No. 2, February 2003 Elders Can Get Reimbursed for Medicare Part B by Judy Muschamp up for Part B now. Will the tribe reimburse me for the penalty too? Answer: Yes. Question: I want to add Part B to my Medicare. When can I do that? Answer: You can sign up for Medicare Part B: The Siletz Tribal Council has continued to set aside gaming revenue funds to reimburse tribal elders, age 65 and older, for Medicare Part B premiums. This benefit has become very popular for our tribal elders, regardless of where you live. I’m happy to say I’ve made personal contact with tribal elders all over the United States who enjoy this benefit. I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. It’s the time of year for anyone who isn’t already covered by Medicare B to enroll. I’m continuing to negotiate with the Social Security Administration to pay the agency directly, but so far I haven’t been successful. Regardless, this is an excellent program for anyone who qualifies and if you live within the 11-county service area, helps the Contract Health Services program by shifting the majority of the cost of physician services to Medicare. Here are answers to some common questions: 1) When you first enroll in Medicare during your initial enrollment period, which starts three months before you turn age 65 and for seven months. 2) Jan. 1-March 31 of each year, which is your general enrollment period. If you enroll in Part B during this time, it’ll be effective July 1 of the year in which you apply. Your Medicare Part B premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B, but did not take it. 3) If you did not take Medicare B when you were first eligible because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage through you or your spouse’s employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period. You can sign up anytime you’re still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse’s current or active employment, or during the eight months following the month the employer or union group health plan Question: What paperwork do you need so I can receive reimbursement? Answer: I need a copy of your Medicare card. This shows that you’re covered by Part B medical. I also need a copy of your benefit statement from Social Security that shows how much per month is withheld from your check. Mail these copies to Judy Muschamp, SCHC, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380. Question: The Social Security office said I would be penalized if I sign Siletz Tribal Head Start students take a break and dance before beginning their next session. Community Mobilization for Drug House Elimination Neighborhood Awareness, Empowerment, and Education Are you interested in attending and participating in a community forum moderated by Rob Bovett, assistant county counsel of Lincoln County? The forum will provide information about the process for citizens to document illegal drug traffic in our community. Feb. 27, 2003 Siletz Tribal Community Center 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Siletz Valley Partnership, in collaboration with the Siletz Tribal Housing Residents Organization What’s Inside Letters to the Editor Chairman’s Report Tribal Program News Tribal Member News Notices 2 3 5 8 12 Tribal Council Timesheets Siletz Clinic Chinook Winds Passages See Medicare on page 17. Siletz News Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman Brenda Bremner, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief I I | PRESORTED FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID SILETZ, OR 97380 PERMIT NO. 2 16 18 20 24
