Age Spots: Medicare Boot Camps � Come Join the Fun

Spring is always a great time to begin new projects. The weather is warm, flowers are blooming and gardens are being planted, with great expectations. Everything about spring is fresh and exciting, which is why Aging Matters schedules Medicare Boot Camps during the spring and summer months.

Medicare Boot Camps are our way of introducing everyone to Medicare. Now I get that a boot camp does not sound like fun � and neither does Medicare for that matter � but we try to make this presentation fun and interactive and strive to answer all the questions you have about Medicare. We take time to go over all aspects of Medicare: we discuss when you should enroll, how to enroll, the cost of Medicare and special circumstances for individuals. We also discuss when there could be penalties and all the extra help programs that could save you some money.

Every day in the United States, roughly 10,000 people turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. Many of these people struggle with the choices available. We do not want anyone who needs help with Medicare to get lost in the shuffle. We plan the Medicare Boot Camps throughout our region, and if you are interested, please call Aging Matters to find where and when we will be in your area. If you cannot make a Medicare Boot Camp, we can schedule a time to speak with you one-on-one.

In May, Social Security sends out a LIS/MSP Outreach Notice. This letter has information about receiving aid if you can�t afford Medicare premiums or other medical costs. Medicare Savings Programs may help pay Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Extra Help is a Medicare program that may help pay Medicare prescription drug (Part D) deductibles, premiums and copayments. This letter includes some income and asset guidelines. If you think you may qualify, or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to call our office.

One final reminder: in Missouri, new Medicare cards will be coming out in the next few months. Those who are new to Medicare will receive the new cards first, and those already on Medicare will begin receiving them in July. The only thing you need to do is make sure your address is correct with Social Security. No one from Medicare or Social Security will call you to verify your information, and no one will ask for payment or banking information in regards to the new cards. If you get any of these calls, hang up � it is probably a scam.

For information on Medicare, Medicare Boot Camps or any of our programs, please call Aging Matters at (800) 392-8771 or (573) 335-3331.