Letters to the Editor - Oct. 9
Medicare 101 classes being offered
When approaching Medicare age there are decisions that need to be made in a timely manner. At first it can seem confusing and maybe even overwhelming. The Agency on Aging will be offering free 3 hour Medicare 101 classes in Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties in October to help you with this milestone in your life.
When you turn 65, if you are already collecting Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits you will automatically be enrolled. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail. You will have Part A (hospital coverage) at no cost. You have a choice whether to start Part B (medical coverage), delay it, or refuse it. When your card comes, read the instructions carefully. The monthly premium for Part B coverage is $104.90 in 2013. If you miss your enrollment period you may have a late enrollment penalty added to your premium.
Medicare does not pay all your expenses. Besides the part B premium there are deductibles and co-pays. After that Medicare covers 80 percent, and the other 20 percent is your responsibility. There are options for additional coverage that you may want. Medicare Supplement plans or Medicare Advantage plans are available.
Part D prescription plans also have limited enrollment periods, and can have a late enrollment penalty which adds up for each month you go without creditable coverage.
Those still working or not yet drawing Social Security benefits will need to enroll in Medicare by contacting Social Security. This can be done online, in person, or by mailing in the correct forms. Those still working and planning to remain on employer health insurance should talk with their employer’s human resources manager as to what they require of employees on Medicare. If you’re retiring soon you should talk with them as to when your health coverage will stop, and enroll in Part B so as to avoid any gaps in coverage which may result in late penalties.
Sound confusing? We can help. There are trained and certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors in all four counties to help you with Medicare. Call our office at 883-7284 or 1-800-266-4188 for an appointment. And watch for the Medicare 101 classes coming to your area in October.
Bibles were never removed
It is unfortunate there has been a misunderstanding that Bibles were removed from Mineral Community Hospital, including long-term care and the assisted living facility. That is not the case. No Bibles have been removed.
Carol Billadeau
Hospital Board Member,
Superior
Support for Mayor Woods
Editor -
I am writing in support of Randal (Randy) Woods for Mayor of Hot Springs who has been, and is, one of the best we’ve had for a number of years. I wouldn’t feel the need to write except for the smear campaign going on at the present time which really concerns me.
Everyone may not be aware that the state has laws and guidelines that direct how an incorporated town is run. Randy is well aware of this. The town has a large water project coming up which may require some major oversight which Randy is very capable of doing.
The first false rumor I heard was that he was using a city machine on his own property. Five years ago he was trying out the town’s newly purchased Road Grader to see how it worked, on private property where if he made a mistake he’d have to fix it. Why? Because he frequently helps the town’s maintenance crew grade unpaved streets and alleys. Additionally he repairs and maintains the town’s vehicles and machines often not charging anything for his time and labor, only for need parts and that with little mark-up.
Randy owns a Skid steer which he lends out, rent free, to the town, the Food Pantry, etc. It has a bucket and forks thus being very useful. If people see him using it, I’d say he has a right to do so.
In wintertime and it has snowed - Randy is often out in the wee hours of the morning plowing streets, especially Main and Spring street, when there is little or no traffic.
He is not paid extra for all of this time - it’s donated as a service to the town. The townspeople have benefited from all this but a good many fail to give Randy credit.
This note has nothing to do with the Mayor’s job but I would like to note that Randy has volunteered with the ambulance service and the Fire Department for years. It simply shows care and concern for his community.
Randy is not an angel, nor is anyone else I know. Not everyone likes him but that’s no reason to blacken his name.
I know there are other rumors out there that I’ve only partially heard. So people, if you hear one at least check it out and don’t jump to conclusions.
Sincerely,
Shirley Knotos,
Hot Springs