Arizona Senior Law » Medicare

How the New Health Care Law Benefits Medicare Recipients

kburns — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:39:39 +0000

There are many questions when it comes to Health Care reform. Here are some ways it will affect those that are currently on Medicare:

1. Your guaranteed Medicare benefits are protected and benefits will be improved.

2. Out of pocket costs for prescription drugs needed to stay healthy will be lowered due to Medicare changes. The “doughnut hole,” is expected to disappear completely by 2020.

3. There will be expanded coverage for wellness and preventive care such as mammograms and other screenings for cancer and diabetes. These services will be free of charge.

For more information about the New Health Care Law and how it affects you or others, check out www.aarp.org/getthefacts

Justa Center

kburns — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:13:00 +0000

Did you know that individuals 55 and older are the fastest growing population of homeless? One answer for homeless seniors in the Phoenix area is the Justa Center. The Justa Center is a day resource center designed to help those over the age of 55 find housing, employment, and other needed services. The staff and volunteers are there to reassure, assist, and problem solve with the homeless individual until he or she is able to be self sufficient. The Justa Center is not a shelter, but a place where seniors can find the resources they need to get back on track. About 100 seniors a day seek help at the Justa Center and since it opened in 2006, it has helped approximately one person a day get out of homelessness.

If you know someone who could benefit from this service, or for more information please contact Scott Ritchey.

1001 W. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85007

602-254-6524

saritchey@hotmail.com

www.justacenter.org

New Health Care Law

tgranado — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:09:46 +0000

Many of you have received a notice from CMS highlighting some of the changes that will occur due to the Affordable Care Act that was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. Better access to primary and chronic care, improved long term care choices and more affordable options in prescription drug plans are just some of the new changes. For more information on benefits that will begin this year be on the look out for the annual Medicare and You Handbook available this fall.

The Role of the Medical Social Worker in Long Term Care

kburns — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:44:47 +0000

Clinical Advisors for Resources and Educational Services is proud to provide a 2 day workshop addressing many topics that social workers face. It will be held on May 25th and 26th at the C.A.R.E.S office. It is also approved for 15 CEU’s by NCIA and NASW.

If you work in a profession that touches the lives of the elderly, disabled or chronically-ill, our seminar will enhance your ability to meet the needs of clients, their families and the ever-changing state and federal rules and regulations. The seminar will cover topics relating to clinical, state and federal health care regulations, compliance and the understanding of benefits.

Topics include:

¨ Role of the Social Worker
¨ MDS, RAPs and Care Planning
¨ Documentation
¨ Behavior Management/PASRR
¨ Benefits and Financial Planning
¨ Case Management/Discharge Planning
¨ Advance Directives
¨ Psychosocial Assessments

If you are interested in finding out more about this wonderful educational opportunity, please feel free to call or email the following:

Office: 602-466-3461 / 800-326-7176
Fax: 888-296-9229
Email: angelapage@clinicaladvisorsllc.com

Please don’t wait….

jpreston — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:04:47 +0000

So many of our calls that come in for our “Free Pre-Screen” have to do with Advance Directives - or I should say – the Lack of having Advance Directives in place. Please do not wait to complete your power of attorney forms. You should have a Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney AND the Mental Health Power of Attorney forms done. All of these needed documents are on our website for FREE!!! Please don’t put off doing them. If you do not complete these documents and something happens to you that you are unable to make your wishes known, emergency gaurdianship can be very expensive.

The document we get asked about the most is the MENTAL HEALTH POWER OF ATTORNEY – Yes you need one!!!!! Even in rare circumstances that you may need to be admitted to a Level One behavioral health center and need psychotropic medication – this is the only way your agent can admit you. A medical Power attorney document in not enough in AZ.

Free Form…vs…..Expensive Guardianship- the choice is yours!!!

Benefits Analysis Pre-Screen

tgranado — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:28:20 +0000

Are you thinking about applying for Arizona Long Term Care but are unsure if you or your loved one will qualify? Jackson White offers a free phone analysis. Our Elder Care Coordinator’s are available to answer any questions you may have about the benefits of the program and eligibility criteria. Please don’t hesitate to call us today with any questions. We can be reached toll free at 1800-243-1166.

Medicare Benefits, Private Insurance & ALTCS

jallen — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:00:24 +0000

ALTCS applicants commonly wonder whether they will be eligible for ALTCS if they receive Medicare benefits or are privately insured. So long as you meet ALTCS eligibility requirements, you are permitted to do as you wish with Medicare and private insurance.

Because ALTCS is a payer of last resort, ALTCS members can enroll in whichever Medicare plan they wish. Likewise, ALTCS members can retain private healthcare insurance of any type. In most instances, it is to the member’s benefit to be enrolled for ALTCS concurrently with Medicare and other insurance. This helps ensure that the member has coverage for all types of healthcare.

Medicare D and the Swine Flu

glopez — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:17:44 +0000

Just to let you know, according the The Centers For Medicare Advocacy, the antiviral medication that are effective against swine flu: TAMIFLU and RELENA are covered under most Medicare Part D plans.

Selecting A Physician Upon Becoming Eligible For ALTCS

jallen — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:51:11 +0000

New ALTCS members are likely to already have an existing relationship with a primary physician. It can be difficult for members to find a new physician which they trust with their medical concerns. To avoid this dilemma, new ALTCS members should try and select an ALTCS network to which their primary physician belongs.

You may continue visiting your primary physician using Medicare or private insurance even if the physician does not belong to the ALTCS network you have chosen. The downside to this is that you may have to pay an out of pocket expense. If you do not mind switching physicians, and your physician does not belong to your ALTCS network, you can search your network for physicians accepting new patients.

Medicare Part D Week – Day 5

jallen — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:00:21 +0000

Q: How can I get mail order drugs?

A: Mercy Care Plan is contracted with Express Scripts for an extended supply of maintenance drugs using mail order pharmacy services.

Mail order can only be used to fill prescriptions for “maintenance” drugs. Maintenance drugs are defined as drugs that are taken on a regular basis for a chronic or long-term medical condition.

Call Member Services or Express Scripts to request a mail order application to be sent to you. You will need to fill out the form and mail it along with your 90 day prescription to the address provided on the application:

Express Scripts
P.O. Box 52123
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2123
1-800-295-2956