Page 12 - Senior Times South Central Michigan May 2023 - 30-05

Page 12 Senior Times - May 2023
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102 Battle Creek, MI 49017
carewellservices.org
My Medicare Matters - New Medicare Savings Plan Savings Income and Asset Limits Announced
By: Karen Courtney, CHW Programs Director CareWell Services SW
Celebrate Aging during Older Americans Month & Older Michiganians Day
By: Cassie Lucas-Moore, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
The Prescription Extra Help Program has higher income
and asset limits: Single: $1,823 monthly income/$16,660 assets; Married $2,465 income/$33,240 assets.
Need help applying? Call MMAP at 1-800-803-7174.
May is a time to honor Older Americans and their contributions and achievements to society. We also take this opportunity to look at trends affecting elders. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) asks Americans to participate in Aging Unbound, the theme for 2023, in a few different ways.
Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.
caregivers to develop a Caregiver Resource Center; 2) Support
and strengthen the direct care workforce by asking for wage increases; 3) Increase access
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450
You may be eligible for
the State Medicaid to help pay your Federal Medicare Part B insurance premium.
To qualify, single persons can have gross monthly income of up to $1,660.25, and assets up to $9,090. Married persons can have a combined total gross monthly income of up to $2,238.50, and assets up
to $13,630. Gross means the income amount BEFORE
any premiums or deductions are taken out of your Social Security.
We encourage you to reach out to your state representatives and senators in Lansing to improve the opportunities for care by sending a letter with the noted platform topics.
Embrace the opportunity
to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting
age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
Visit your local Senior Center to pursue these ideas for activity. There are four centers across Barry and Calhoun counties: Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center in Marshall; Forks Senior Center in Albion; Kool Family Community
Center in Battle Creek; and Barry County Commission
on Aging in Hastings. While there are membership fees for these locations, scholarships
are available. Also, some non- member classes are available for a fee.
to home and community- based services; 4) Support and strengthen the long-term care ombudsman program; and
5) Expand access to MIChoice Waiver.
Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, taking classes, and creative activities.
Standardized letters to the legislators are available to pick up at CareWell Services offices, located at 200 W. Michigan Ave, Ste. 102 in Battle Creek or call us at (269) 966-2450 and we will mail or email them to you.
There are different levels of State assistance for people on Medicare. Persons who apply may qualify to only have their Part B premium paid, and
have Medicaid as secondary insurance only if a monthly deductible is met. These are the SLMB and ALMB categories. Those with lower incomes – singles making under $1,235/ month or marrieds under $1,663.50/month – may qualify in the QMB category, to have premiums paid, plus Medicare A and B deductibles and co-pays covered. Qualifying for QMB effectively eliminates the need for supplemental/Medigap insurance, which saves on that additional premium cost, too!
Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected
and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
On a local level, the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM) hosts Older Michiganians Day at the Capitol building in Lansing where senior advocates have an opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss topics of concern that affect Michigan’s aging population.
CareWell Services is the local Area Agency on Aging serving Barry and Calhoun counties. All of the noted items above affect the MI Choice Waiver, Care Management, Care Coaching, and Transition Coordination services for participants in this area.
This year, the advocacy focus areas include: 1) increased support for family and informal
Call (269) 966-2450 with any questions about advocacy efforts or to gain access to services provided to older Michiganians in Barry and Calhoun counties.
PROMOTING
HEALTH
INDEPENDENCE CHOICE