Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2005)
Cha-may weeya Medicine Talk Siletz Community Health Clinic Diabetes Retreat Features Darryl Tonemah The annual Diabetes Retreat will be nominated for several Native American held March 4-5 at the Shilo Inn in New Music Awards, including Outstanding port. All tribal members who have dia Musical Performance, Best Male Art betes are encouraged to attend the ist, Best Album Country or Folk, and two-day program and those attending Songwriter of the Y ear. may invite a support person. The keynote speaker will be Darryl Tonemah, an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe and man of many talents. Dr. Tonemah has dedicated his pro fessional career to the empowerment of people, focusing especially on youth through leadership, wellness, self- He also has appeared in two mov ies, DMZ and Last of the Mohicans. To learn more, check out his Web site at www.tomemah.com. Please mark your calendars now to reserve the dates. Registration materi als will be mailed in early February. esteem, parenting conferences, and Questions? Call Darcy Trego, alcohol and drug prevention. An accomplished entertainer, he Diabetes Program coordinator, at 541-444-9647 or 1-800-648-0449, has recorded five CDs that have been ext. 1647. Medicare Part B Update by Judy Mus champ The Siletz Tribal Council has set aside gaming revenue funds to reim burse tribal elders, age 65 and older, or qualifying disabled persons for Medicare Part B premiums. Now is the time of year for anyone who is not al ready covered by Medicare B to enroll. You can enroll through March 31 for coverage effective July 1. 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 ser vices to Medicare. Here are answers to some common questions: Question: What paperwork do you need so I can receive reimbursement? Answer: I need a copy of your Medicare card. This shows that you are 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. 18 • Siletz News • Mail these copies to Judy Muschamp, Siletz Clinic, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549 or fax them to my atten tion at 541-444-1278. Question: The Social Security of fice said I would be penalized if I sign up for Part B now. Will the tribe reim burse me for the penalty too? Answer: Yes, it’s cost effective for the tribe to reimburse you whatever the penalty imposed by Medicare. Question: I want to add Part B to my Medicare. When can I do that? Answer: You can sign up for Medi care Part B: 1) . When you first enroll in Medi care (your initial enrollment period). The initial enrollment period starts three months before you turn age 65 and for seven months after. 2) . Jan. 1-March 31 of each year (your general enrollment period). If you enroll in Part B during a general enroll ment period, it will be effective July 1 of the year in which you apply. Your February 2005 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 your or your spouse’s employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a special enrollment pe riod. You can sign up anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse’s current or active employment; or during eight months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first). To add Medicare Part B, you should contact the Social Security Administra tion at 1-800-772-1213. Question: When will I receive my reimbursement from the tribe? Answer: After your initial check is processed, you should receive your regular monthly check the first week of the month. Question: Is the reimbursement taxable? Answer: Yes, in some cases the reimbursement is considered taxable income. You will receive a form 1099 from the tribe. Question: My premium increased in January 2005. Will the tribe reim burse the increase? Answer: Yes, please mail me the benefit statement you received from Social Security indicating how much your premium increased. Non-penal- ized premiums in 2005 increased to $78.20 per month. We will automati cally adjust to $78.20 unless your premium is penalized. If your monthly premium is higher than $78.20, we need your documents. If you have any other questions, please call Amie Williams or myself at 1 -800-648-0449 or 541 -444-1030.
