10
january 15, 2014
S moke S ignals
ssi, ssD eligibility and statement copy info
Dear Tribal member,
If you have reached the age of retirement (65) and have started to
receive Social Security Retirement benefits, or are disabled and receiving
benefits through Social Security (SSD); you may be eligible to receive
Medicare Part B benefits. As a Grand Ronde Tribal Member, the Tribe
will reimburse your Medicare Part B premium if not already paid by a
third party, such as the state where you live.
To find out if you are eligible, or to get enrolled in Medicare
Part B, please do the following:
n Call 1-800-772-1213 or go online at www.socialsecurity.gov to request
an application for enrollment in Medicare Part B and return it to your
local Social Security Office.
n You’ll receive a Medicare Part A&B card and a statement from the
Social Security administration showing the Medicare amount deduct-
ed from your Social Security check within a month or two of signing
up. Your Medicare activates once you use your card at your doctor’s
office. Medicare should now be used as your Primary insurance and
Skookum Tribal Health Plan (Shasta) Secondary.
n After your Medicare Part B coverage begins, the Medicare premium
deducted from your Social Security or paid out-of-pocket will be reim-
bursed to you each month by the Tribe up to the standard rate.
In order to have your Medicare Part B reimbursed by the Tribe you’ll
need to provide the Tribe with the following: 1) a copy of your Social
Security statement showing your Medicare Part B deduction from your
check each month. If you are paying out-of pocket submit a receipt of
payment along with the correlating statement from the Social Security
Administration. 2) Supply us with a copy of your Medicare card, and 3)
fill out and return the release of information.
For additional information please contact: Jolanda Catabay/Mem-
ber Benefits at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2253 or e-mail jolanda.catabay@
grandronde.org.
Dear Tribal member;
It’s getting to be that time of year again. Time to remember to send us
a copy of your current (2013/2014 preferably) benefit statement from the
Social Security Administration (when you receive them) so that we can up-
date your file. If you do not receive your current benefit statement you may
order one by calling the Social Security Administration at 1 800 772-1213
or go online at www.ssa.gov. Your current benefit statement must reach
our office by Jan. 31, 2014, to avoid any future delays in your benefits.
For Elders age 55 and up, if you have been qualified under the SSA
department as SSI or SSD Eligible, your Pension checks may qualify as
non-taxable. We will need a copy of that document on file in order for this
to take effect.
Please mail copies of your benefit statement to:
CTGR Member Services
Attn: Jolanda Catabay
9615 Grand Ronde Rd.
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
You may also e-mail or fax a copy to the following;
Fax: 1 800 879-2480, e-mail jolanda.catabay@grandronde.org
Note: It is the responsibility of the Tribal member to notify the
Tribe of any changes in your benefits from the Social Security
Administration SSI/SSD program. Failure to notify the Tribe
may result in an obligation to repay ineligible benefits received,
interrupt or delay your Tribal Supplemental Security Income and
Disability payments (disregard this letter if you have already sent
us a current copy of your benefit statement).
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions or concerns.
My contact number(s) are 503-879-2253 or toll-free 1-800-422-0232, ext.
2253.
Respectfully,
Jolanda Catabay
Enrollment Member Services Specialist
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
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