Penson Rights For Survivors............1 From CMAAA’s CEO: FY16 Report...2Dear Beth: Keep Calm, Carry On....3LTCOP: Choosing Long-term Care..4Think You Know Snow?.....................5Hey Kay: Medicare Cost Sharing.............................................................6 & 7Sr. Centers/Care Coordinators........8
Vol. XLIIl, No. 4 January-February 2017
South Central Pension Rights Project Protects Widow’s Right to Survivor
ST. LOUIS, September 20, 2016–The South Central
Pension Rights Project has successfully advocated for a
Missouri widow who was told she was not due a survivor
benefit from her husband’s pension. The Project’s work
means that the widow will receive $212 per month, which
will total more than $48,000 over her expected life time.
Ms. Miranda Jones’ (not her real name) husband
passed in October last year and when she contacted the
pension fund office, she was told he elected a single life
annuity, and therefore she was not entitled to a survivor
benefit. She remembered that her husband told her she
would get half of his benefit, and she knew that she did
not waive her right to a survivor benefit, which is required
by law. She contacted the South Central Pension Rights
Project, and the Project contacted the pension fund office.
After reviewing their files, the fund office discovered
that Mr. Jones originally elected a single life annuity,
but before he began receiving his retirement benefit, he
changed his election to provide a benefit for his spouse.
The fund agreed to pay Ms. Jones a retroactive benefit to
her husband’s date of death and to continue the payments
going forward for her lifetime.
The South Central Pension Rights Project (SCPRP) is
overseen by Texas Legal Services with assistance from the
Missouri Area Agencies on Aging. Since teaming with
Missouri Area Agencies on Aging in 2010, SCPRP
has recovered more than $4.3 million in benefits
for Missourians and has assisted more than 550
Missourians with retirement benefit issues.
SCPRP is funded by the U.S. Administration on
Aging to assist individuals in Missouri, Texas, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas who have any kind
of issue with their retirement benefits. It operates in
cooperation with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
SCPRP provides attorneys and legal assistants that
offer basic advice about pension laws and rights, help
people locate their pension plans administrator, advocate
for people who believe they have been unjustly denied their
benefits and provide referrals to other services as needed.
SCPRP helps all individuals regardless of
age or income, and all of SCPRP’s services are
completely free.
To contact SCPRP call: 800-443-2528.
2 January-February 2017
The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging (CMAAA) is a private, not-for-profit Area Agency on Aging serving 19 counties in Mid-Missouri: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington.
CMAAA recognizes the individual capabilities and needs of each older person. Therefore, CMAAA’s mission is to assist communities in establishing a full range of services, which allow older persons to live in the most independent manner possible.
OfficersElinor Snelson, President
(Crawford)Fred West, 1st Vice President
(Audrain)James Kitterman, 2nd Vice President
(Camden)
MembersJim Weaver (Boone)
Vacant (Callaway)James Kitterman (Camden)
Patrice Donehue (Cole)Pat Davis (Cooper)
Norma Moore(Dent)Robert Niebruegge (Gasconade)
Debra Miller (Howard)Vacant (Laclede)
Jake Warren (Maries)Dee Butts (Moniteau)
Ron Ellis (Morgan)Vacant (Osage)
Joanne Zap (Phelps)Ben Hammock (Pulaski)
Maggie Shellabarger (Washington)
Chief Executive OfficerJean Leonatti
Our Mission
CMAAA
Board of Directors
From the CEO... By Jean Leonatti,CEO
Dear Readers,
Each year we publish an annual service
delivery and expenditure report. It isn’t fancy
– but we hope it provides information to
demonstrate we are effective stewards of the
dollars entrusted to us. Through this column I
would like to provide some highlights from the
fiscal year 2016 report (July 1, 2015 – June 30,
2016). If you wish to review the full report, you
can visit our website at: www.cmaaa.net.
The Central Missouri Area Agency on
Aging (CMAAA) is a private, non-profit corporation
providing services in 19 central Missouri
counties. CMAAA was formed in 1973 as part of
a national network of over 600 area agencies on
aging organized in response to federal legislation
titled the Older Americans Act. The intent of
area agencies is to plan, develop and coordinate
a wide range of services that will enable older
persons to live independently for as long as
possible.
We collect data on our clients as part
of the National Aging Program Information
System (NAPIS for short – you might have filled
out one of the forms at your senior center). We
collect this data on clients receiving all of our
registered services with the exception of those
receiving our SilverEclectic newsletter or other
public education materials, those simply asking
for information on services, and those served
through the Long Term Care Ombudsman
Program.
Our NAPIS client registration data shows
that during fiscal year 2016, we served 13,232
different persons. Of the people we served,
6,419 lived alone and
6,309 were over age
75. We served 7,354
persons who were
self-identified as
low income. These
statistics show that
we effectively target services to those in greatest
economic and social need. Our Long Term Care
Ombudsman volunteers spent 3,236 hours in
long term care facilities. We also assisted over
1,500 people during Medicare Open Enrollment.
The LTC Ombudsman program investigated
and resolved 1,106 complaints from residents of
long term care facilities. We also consulted with
1,559 persons who had questions about long
term care. We have 31 active volunteers in this
program and they reported over 3,000 hours
of service to residents. There were over 17,900
visits with residents that lasted more than five
minutes.
Each year the state contracts with an
independent audit firm to conduct a financial
and compliance audit of each Area Agency on
Aging. I am pleased to tell you that we received
a “clean”, unmodified audit report. The auditors
commended the agency on being an “effective
and efficient organization”. Nothing better than
ending the year with an excellent report card!!!
Sincerely,
3 January-February 2017
By Beth Busseau, County Services Director
The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging team
is strong as we come together to assist communities in
establishing a full range of services which allow older
persons to live in the most independent manner possible. It
takes a team of people including Center Administrators who
support 31 senior centers and deliver meals to home bound
people in 100 different communities. Our team assists with
respite care, legal, health promotion, transportation, and
information and assistance. Our Ombudsman support
those living in long-term care homes while advocating for
resident rights. While seniors live in their homes, Care
Coordinators assist frail, vulnerable older persons and
their families to identify, locate and coordinate services to
enable elders to live in their own home.
Although each member of team CMAAA has a
different role to play, our mission remains the same, to
support seniors to be as independent as possible!
Our diverse job responsibilities require extensive
training in a multitude of disciplines. We were fortunate
to come together to receive the training “Response to
Armed Intruders in the Workplace” that led us to a better
understanding of our role in planning for an incident that
everyone hopes will never happen.
After a delicious meal and
time to get to know staff from the 19
counties we represent, the fun and
games began. No one was calm as
we bid on items donated by each
other. The Chinese Charity Coin Auction raised funds
for our charity of choice; The Salvation Army. Everyone
raided their change jars, piggy banks and coin purses to
bid on the items. We raised over $350.00 for those less
fortunate.
As the bell ringer saw us approach with plastic bags
full of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies we were greeted
with smiles and awe as the coins hit the bottom of the red
kettles. Our staff supports the community and stretches
beyond our immediate responsibility.
Keep Calm and Carry On Team CMAAA !
Keep Calm and Carry On....with Team CMAAA
4 January-February 2017
By Donna Wobbe, Ombudsman Program Director
In this series on "Choosing the Appropriate Level
of Long Term Care" my hope is that everyone will have a
better understanding of the multiple levels of care and will
be able to make a more informed decision if needed.
Most of us have the same goal when it comes to where we want
to spend our aging years. Safe in our own home in the community
of our choice. Sometimes things happen and we are suddenly in a
situation where we need immediate help. An accident or illness could
change our plan to remain in our own home. We could have the need
for a short rehab stay or we could be faced with transitioning to long
term care placement. Every situation is unique and will require
individualized decision making. It is always best when the person
in need is part of the conversation when alternative choices must
be considered. When it is no longer an option to remain in your own
home in the community, the Ombudsman Program can be helpful to
you as you search for the best fit in the least restrictive long term
care environment. Understanding the multiple levels of care and
what they offer will improve your chances of making a choice that
best meets your needs.
This series will offer additional information and understanding
about the following levels of long term care:
1. Short Stay Rehabilitation in Skilled Care (Rehab)
2. Skilled Nursing Care (SNF)
3. Assisted Living (ALF) and
Assisted Living ** (ALF**)
4. Residential Care (RCF) and
Residential Care* (RCF*)
5. Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).
6. Short Stay Rehabilitation in Skilled Care (Rehab/
Short Stay)
Rehabilitation or Transitional Care provides
services on a short-stay basis for people leaving
the hospital following surgery, illness or accidents.
These services are provided in a Skilled Nursing
Facility offering a variety of physical, speech and
occupational therapies. It is designed to help individuals return
to where they were living prior to their incident and resume their
normal lives. If full recovery is not accomplished, the resident has
the right to appeal for more therapy through their insurance plan or
pay out of pocket for additional days needed for further recovery.
When rehab is complete and skilled care is still needed, a care plan
meeting needs to be set to discuss options for continued care. The
resident has the right to be fully informed and to the best of their
ability, the resident has the right to participate in his or her care plan
and decisions. I encourage you to contact your Ombudsman with all
Long Term Care questions and concerns.
My next article will offer additional information and
understanding about Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF).
We need your help! If you or someone you know would be
willing to gift a few hours each week to advocate for residents in
Long-Term Care, we offer training and certification for Ombudsman
Volunteers in all nineteen counties in which we serve!
For additional information please call, email or visit us online.
Central MO Area Agency on Aging
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Call: 1-800-309-3282, 573-443-5823 or 800-369-5211
Email: [email protected]
or LTCOmbudsman@healthmogov
Online information at: health.mo.gov/seniorsombudsman
Wishing Everyone a Fresh Start in the New Year
from The Ombudsman Program!
Choosing the Appropriate Level of Long Term Care
5 January-February 2017
(NewsUSA) – Winter comes with a unique set of
challenges, including lower air temperatures, lack of
visibility, fewer daylight hours, falling snow and, of course,
icy roads. These can certainly make for some hazardous
driving conditions, which is why experts say you should
dig out your ice scraper, gloves and snow shovels before
hitting the road.
“Don’t set off like a tank commander with a tiny hole
cleared,” says Andy Smith, a patrolman in Canada. The
safest way to prepare for winter driving is to be
proactive before an emergency occurs. The following
tips will give you some ideas on how to drive safely all
winter long:
Surface Conditions: Roads and drive paths are
likely to be covered with rain, sleet, snow and ice, which
causes slippery driving conditions and reduces tire traction.
Consider using snow tires in areas where winter weather is
severe. It’s also important to inspect your tires for uneven
wear, cupping and proper tread depth. Also consider the
last time you had the tires rotated, balanced and aligned.
Emergency Situations: Winter weather increases
the chance of getting into a car accident. Pack an emergency
kit to leave in your vehicle at all times. Consider including
safety items such as flares, medical supplies, jumper cables,
a flash light, batteries, a small shovel and tire chains. Also
consider comfort items like blankets, gloves and snacks.
Clear Vision: Snow, ice and fog diminish your
visibility, creating dangerous driving conditions. Remove
all debris from your windshield, windows and outside
mirrors before driving. Replace your wiper blades with
extreme-weather blades for a stronger wipe to battle heavy
rain, snow and ice buildup.
Vehicle Performance: Follow the recommended
maintenance schedule in your vehicle’s owner’s manual
to avoid hard starts, stalling and lost power during colder
weather. Keep your gas tank above the halfway mark
because empty tanks collect condensation which damages
the engine. Some regions experience heavy snow and
dangerous ice storms, others find an increase in rainy
conditions, and in some places, temperatures may just
cool down a bit. Regardless of location, the winter season
brings a climate change that all drivers should consider.
You Think You Know Snow? Follow These Safe Driving Tips
6 January-February 2017
Hey Kay... By Kay Barbee, CMAAA Medicare
What are the Medicare Cost Sharing amounts for Part A and Part B in 2017 if I’m enrolled in Original Medicare? How much does Part D cost? Part A Monthly Premium: Most people don’t pay
a Part A premium because they paid Medicare taxes while
working. If you don’t get premium-free Part A, you pay
up to $413 each month. The amount you pay is based on
the number of work credits you have earned. In order to
have premium-free Part A you must have earned 40 work
credits.
If you have questions about work history, call Social
Security at 1-800-772-1213. Or, you can create mySocial
Security Account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
Hospital Stay.................................................
In 2017, you pay:
>$1,316.00 deductible per benefit period (a benefit
period is 60-days)
>$You only pay the deductible for the first 60 days
of each benefit period
>$329 per day for days 61-90 of each benefit period
>$658 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 of
each benefit period (up to a maximum of 60 days
over your lifetime)
>beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs (this has not
changed)
Skilled Nursing Facility Stay..........................
In 2017, you pay:
>$0 for the first 20 days of each benefit period, if
you had a three-midnight inpatient hospital stay
>$164.50 per day for days 21-100 of the benefit
period
>All costs for each day after day 100 of the benefit
period
Part B monthly premium:
The Part B monthly premium for
2017 is $134.00. However, if your
Part B premium was deducted
from your social security check in
2016 your Part B premium will be
less. On average your premium will be $109.00. This is
due to the “hold harmless” provision; a legal statement
prohibiting an increase to Medicare B premiums for the
vast majority of American citizens. The Medicare hold
harmless provision ensures that Medicare B premiums
cannot rise more than the cost of living increase in Social
Security benefits. The cost of living increase for 2017 was
.3 percent.
Income-related Adjustment: People with
Medicare who report 2015 income above $85,000 a year
($170,000 filing jointly) are legally responsible to cover a
larger portion of the cost of their coverage. These premium
adjustments range from $53.50 to $294.60 a month for
Medicare Part B.
If you have questions about your Part B premium,
call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you pay a late
enrollment penalty, these amounts may be higher. If you
have to pay a higher amount for your Part B premium and
you disagree (for example, if your income goes down),
complete form SSA-44 (12-2016).
Part B Annual Deductible: You pay $183.00 per
year in 2016 for your Part B deductible.
Note: If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap
Policy) or secondary insurance provide by a retiree
Employer Group Health Policy, some of this cost may be
covered.
(continued on page 7)
7 January-February 2017
SuBSCRIPTION FORM Suggested contribution - $4.00
Mail to: CMAAA, 1121 Business Loop 70 East, Suite 2A, Columbia, MO 65201
Name: ________________________________________________________________________ (Please type or print)
Complete: _____________________________________________________________________ (street or box # - please include apt. # or route #)
Complete: _____________________________________________________________________ (city) (state) (zip code)
PLEASE MARK ALL THAT APPLY TO YOu:( ) ADD MY NAME to the mailing list. (I am not receiving one by mail at this time)( ) I HAVE ENCLOSED my tax deductible contribution to help support silver ECLECTIC.( ) CORRECT MY ADDRESS on your mailing list. (Please include current mailing label)( ) REMOVE MY NAME from the mailing list. ( ) I am receiving more than one copy of silver ECLECTIC. (INCLuDE ALL MAILING LABELS FROM NEWSPAPER AND INDICATE WHICH ONE SHOuLD BE DELETED).
NOTE: if you are requesting an address change or stopping a subscription, include your mailing label from the page 8 of silver ECLECTIC.
SILVER ECLECTIC is published by the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging and is editedby Robin Cadwell. Funds for this project were made available through the Division of Senior and Disability Services of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services under provisions of the federal Older Americans Act. The total project is incompliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all requirements imposed pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to that Title to the end that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin be excluded from the benefits of this project.
a monthly publication for senior citizens
and for those who sharetheir concerns.
(continued from page 6)
Note: All Medicare Advantage Plans must cover
these services. However, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage
Plan, costs vary by plan and may be either higher or lower
than those in Original Medicare. Review the “Evidence of
Coverage” from your plan.
How much does Part D cost? Most people only
pay their Part D premium. If you don't sign up for Part D
when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a Part D late
enrollment penalty.
If your modified adjusted gross income as reported
on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent
tax return information provided to Social Security by the
IRS) is above a certain limit, you may pay a Part D income-
related monthly adjustment amount (Part D-IRMAA) in
addition to your monthly plan premium. This extra amount
is paid directly to Medicare, not to your plan.
Social Security will contact you if you have to pay Part
D-IRMAA, based on your income. The amount you pay can
change each year. If you have to pay a higher amount for
your Part D premium and you disagree (for example, if your
income goes down), complete form SSA-44 (12-2016). If
you have questions about your Medicare prescription drug
coverage, contact your plan.
Note: The extra amount you have to pay isn’t part
of your plan premium. You don’t pay the extra amount to
your plan. Most people have the extra amount taken from
their Social Security check. If the amount isn’t taken from
your check, you’ll get a bill from Medicare or the Railroad
Retirement Board. You must pay this amount to keep your
Part D coverage.
If Social Security notifies you about paying a higher
amount for your Part D coverage, you’re required by law
to pay the Part D-Income Related Monthly Adjustment
Amount (Part D-IRMAA). If you don’t pay the Part
D-IRMAA, you’ll lose your Part D coverage.
For more information about this article,
contact your local County Care Coordinator
(see page 8) or Kay Barbee, Medicare Outreach
Consultant.
Kay can be reached at 800-369-5211 or 573-424-
7632 or you can email Kay at [email protected].
8 January-February 2017
Audrain CountyCarol Senor(573) 581-7678
Boone CountyChristie DykstraJohn Heller(573) 443-5823
Callaway CountyKaren Elwood(573) 642-6772
Camden Countyvacant (573) 346-1834
Cole CountyTrish Luther(573) 634-8828
Cooper CountyKaren Dick(660) 882-3444
Crawford CountyTanya Johnson(573) 885-2922
Dent CountyJackie Overby(573) 729-5697
Gasconade CountyTonya Zelch-Wagner(573) 437-2532
Howard CountyKaren Dick(660) 882-3444
Laclede CountyJanet Moore(417) 588-4300
Maries CountyKathleen Humphrey(573) 422-3322
Miller CountyKathleen Humphrey(573) 392-7229
Moniteau CountyTammy Martin(573) 796-4051
Morgan CountyTammy Martin(573) 378-9980
Osage CountyTonya Zelch-Wagner(573) 437-2532
Phelps CountyScott Shaffer(573) 265-0616
Pulaski CountyMary Ann Mathews (573) 774-3390
Washington CountyRobin McElrath(573) 438-5962
Care Coordination DirectorRose Nelson(800) 369-5211 or (573) 443-5823
CARE COORDINATORS
SENIOR CENTERSBoonslick Senior Center (Boonville)(660) 882-2344
Bourbon Senior Center(573) 732-4268
California Nutrition Center(573) 796-4240
Callaway Senior Center (Fulton)(573) 642-2458
Camdenton Senior Center(573) 346-2776
Conway Senior Center(417) 589-2079
Crocker Senior Cetner(573) 736-5405
Cuba Senior Center(573) 885-2909
Dixon Senior Center(573) 759-6313
Eldon Senior Center(573) 392-6102
Fayette Senior Citizens Center(660) 248-3733
Friendship Hall (Iberia)(573) 793-2747
Glasgow Senior Center(660) 338-2975
Hughes Center (Lebanon)(417) 532-3040
Jefferson City CentersClarke Senior Center(573) 634-8020
Senior Center @ the Mall(573) 635-4120
Macks Creek Senior Center(573) 363-0153
Mexico Senior Center(573) 581-7743
Moniteau Nutrition Center (Tipton)(660) 433-2715
Senior Meal Program (Columbia)(573) 449-8000
Owensville Senior Center(573) 437-3096
Osage Beach Senior Center(573) 348-2909
Rolla Elderly Highrise(573) 341-2929
Salem Senior Center(573) 729-2373
Sayers Senior Center (Potosi) (573) 438-3237
Stoutland Senior Center(417) 286-3880
Versailles Senior Center(573) 378-6232
Vienna Senior Center(573) 422-3834
Warren Senior Center (Richland)(573) 765-5414
Waynesville/St. Robert Sr. Center(573) 774-2668
Westside Senior Center (Laurie) (573) 372-3588
Need Help? Call us.
silver EclecticFor information contact:
[email protected] MO Area Agency on
Aging (800) 369-5211(573) 443-5823www.cmaaa.net
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