Archive for December, 2011
You are currently browsing the CHOICE Senior Services Blog blog archives for December, 2011.
The Heights at Columbia Knoll Open House
| December 23, 2011 | ||
| 11:00 am | to | 2:00 pm |
Click heights open house for the flyer.
The Heights at Columbia Knoll is having a holiday open house on December 23rd. Join them from 11-2 at 8320 Northeast Sandy Boulevard Portland, OR 97220.
Weekly roundup of events December 14-21
December 14th, 4:30-6:30 Senior Care Network Holiday Party at Crave Restaurant Dec 15 from 9:00-10:30am Yamhill Networking Group Oakwood Country Place 421 S Evans St. McMinnville, OR 97128 December 15th, 4:00-6:00pm Imact NW Holiday Wassail at 10055 E Burnside St Portland, OR 97216 December 18th, 7:30 Alzheimer’s Association, Endless Song 168 NE 8th Street, Hillsboro
December 19th 3:00-5:00pm
Senior Provider Information Network Holiday party and food drive for Oregon Food Bank at Evergreen Health & Rehab
Weekly Event Round-Up December 7th – December 14th
We hope everyone is keeping warm on these beutiful but chilly days. Here is a list of upcoming events for seniors in Oregon & SW Washington. Hope to see a few of you at these events!
December 7th:
All Day End of Open Enrollment for Medicare!
5:30-7:30pm Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County’s candlelight ceremony with the Tree of Light and reading of names from the Book of Remembrance Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center 525 E. Main St – Hillsboro, OR 97123
6:30-8:30 Celebrate the joy of Christmas at St. Andrews Chapel with three evenings of holiday music. Each hour long program is free & open to the public by calling 503-257-7946 to reserve a seat. Seating is limited so RSVP early! Refreshments will be served after each performance.
December 8th
8:00-10:00 Metropolitan Senior Network Awards Breakfast at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Cost is $40 at the door or you can purchase tickets for $35 here.
10:30-11:30 Oregon Prescription Drug Program 5 year anniversary. The Aladdin Theater 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland, OR 97202. RSVP
4:00-7:00 Windfield Village Open House.
December 13th
6:00-8:00pmThe Nutcracker performed by the Eugene Youth Ballet and a Christmas Carol sing-along with the a Capella Topnotchers from Willamette High School at Solvang Retirement in Eugene.
Mountain View Senior Living Community Grand Re-Opening
| December 8, 2011 | ||
| 2:00 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
Help Mountain View Senior Living celebrate their Grand Re-Opening on Thursday, December8th from 2:00-5:00. The festivities will include cocktails, refreshments, raffle prizes and tours. RSVP by December 1st to Cathyann or Lucie at 541-482-3292 or MountainVie-FD@emertius.com. Mountain View is located at 548 North Main Street in Ashland.
SHIBA Reminds Seniors About Early Medicare Enrollment
| October 15, 2011 | to | December 7, 2011 |
Beneficiaries must make changes a month earlier from October 15-December 7, 2011 . By Oregon Insurance Division
Oregonians with Medicare will need to make their annual benefit changes early this year, and Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help.
The annual Medicare enrollment period when beneficiaries can change health or drug coverage is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, a month earlier than usual. Medicare instituted the new time frame to ensure there is enough time to process any changes so that coverage begins without interruption on Jan. 1.
SHIBA, a federally funded program available to help Oregon’s more than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries, has counselors available statewide at 1-800-722-4134 to provide free, unbiased one-on-one assistance during annual enrollment.
This month, seniors will receive their “Annual Notice of Change” letter from their insurance company. The letter will outline any changes to their benefits or costs in 2012, including whether their current plan will be available.
“It is important that seniors watch the mail for the letter, which will help determine whether you want to consider other plans in 2012,” said Lisa Emerson, SHIBA manager.
If you do choose to look at new plans, SHIBA suggests you do the following:
Find your insurance cards: You may need your red, white, and blue Medicare card to review benefit details or enroll in a new plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, you may also need that card.
Update your list of prescription drugs: Check with your doctor to make sure you understand each prescription. Is a generic available? Can you eliminate any unneeded medications? Based on your list, do you have the right plan for you?
Use the Medicare.gov plan finder: The plan finder uses your prescription list to compare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage health plans in your area. Not all companies cover the same drugs so it’s important to have a complete list of your medications and dosages when using this tool.
Contact your doctor, hospital, and pharmacy before making changes: Not all health and drug plans contract or work with the same providers. If you switch plans, make sure you understand which providers you can see for the best price.
Apply for help with drug costs: If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for extra help with prescription drug costs. SHIBA counselors can help you apply for this benefit through Social Security.
More information and assistance
SHIBA: To meet with a counselor, contact the SHIBA Helpline at 1-800-722-4134. You will be asked to enter your ZIP code to be connected to a program in your area. Visit http://www.oregonshiba.org/to view a calendar of Medicare events available in your county or to find a guide to the Medigap, Medicare Advantage, & Prescription Drug Plans available in Oregon. The guide for 2012 will be available online in mid-October.
SHIBA Calendar of Events http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/SHIBA/calendar.shtml
Medicare: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you understand your coverage options and enroll in a plan.
