Someone who cares about you

has ordered this prescription for you.

Diagnosis: You Are a Family Caregiver!

Family caregivers should be recognized and assessed for their own needs within the health and social service systems.  So what should be done?

For starters, let’s check your risk for caregiver burnout by completing a caregiver assessment at www.NevadaADRC.org/Respite

LIFESPAN RESPITE

Then let’s make sure you are getting a well-deserved break from care-giving on a regular basis.  Search for Respite Services at www.NevadaADRC.org/Respite or call [Phone Number TBD] for assistance.

Now let’s take a serious look at the impact of constant care provision on the health and mental health of YOU, the caregiver.  Schedule a visit with your healthcare professional to focus on health risk prevention measures for YOU.  See www.NevadaADRC.org/Respite for information on Warning Signs for Caregivers.

Make sure your healthcare professional knows that you are a family caregiver and ask for referrals to community programs that provide caregiver services and supports. Also, be sure to implement the health risk prevention measures your healthcare professional recommends.

While many families are quite resilient, all caregivers face challenges at some point. Special efforts have been made to target those who may be most at risk.  We have reason to believe YOU ARE AT RISK.

Respite for family caregivers is important, and our Aging & Disability Resource Centers are ready to assist you.

Washoe County Senior Services

1155 E. NINTH STREET

RENO, NV 89512

(775) 328-2575

www.co.washoe.nv.us/seniorsrv/

Lyon County Human Services

1075 PYRAMID Street

Silver Springs, NV 89429

(775) 577-5009

www.lyon-county.org

Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently (R.A.G.E.)

2901 El Camino Avenue, Suite 102

Las Vegas, NV 89102

(702) 333-1038

ADRC@bteamrage.org or www.bteamrage.org

Nevada Aging & Disability Services Division (NVADSD)
Function of SHIP and SHIP Talk

(Senior Health Insurance Program)

Ship coordinators and volunteers assist with the following;

• Free one on one assistance and counseling with problem navigating Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Health Insurance, long term and in- home care.
• Provide information on eligibility and benefits for Medicare programs including Part D, prescription drug programs Medicare coverage limitations.
• Provide assistance with claims, requests for reconsideration and appeal processes for Medicare and Supplemental Insurance (Medigap).
• Assist with health Insurance needs with unbiased information.  Helping potential Beneficiaries’ make informed decisions about their health and long term care insurance.
• Host outreach events such as; meetings, classes, health fares, senior fairs and the media.
• Provide referrals to other state and community services

SHIP Resource Center provides technical assistance to the SHIP community.  Implemented as a portal to the National Performance Report (NPR) system, where SHIP’s can enter CMS required program data and its tools.

Created to assist SHIP staff in administrating their programs.

The Resource Center continually pursues ways to improve the performance and usefulness of the site.

• By technical upgrades improving navigation throughout the site and posting any current and/or relevant information.

(Provides activity for dual eligible’s and duals with mental disabilities.)

SHIP serves as an on-line counselor certification tool;

• Designated SHIP staff has the ability to conveniently administer state specific training and certification.
• Easily customized and manage the questions and format while quickly generating a variety of snapshot performance reports that will help them tailor content for future training.

SHIP Profiles:

• Developed to serves as promotional pieces for the states SHIP’s as well as SHIP Talk.
• Provides categories like content information biography of the Director, number of beneficiaries served, list of key partners, program highlights including best practices.
• Provides a way to further public understanding of the full scope of SHIP activities.

National Performance Report (NPR)

• 2007 CMS contracted with American Institute for research (AIR) to maintain and improve the SHIP NPR system.
• AIR collects and processes data then reports to CMS, HHS, Congress and other stakeholder on the outcomes of CMS SHIP services to Medicare Beneficiaries.

Volunteer Management 101:

• On-line resource center for volunteer managers and other SHIP staff who work with the volunteers.
• Provides resources such as;

1. Interactive quizzes
2. User-friendly tools and tip sheets
3. Recruit, train, and retain volunteers
4. Training currently being facilitated by National Medicare – Training Program CD(which captures any and all changes for the New Year) and Web based application provided and monitored  by Kathy Lopan in the Las Vegas office via email.

MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM (MSP)

This Medicare Federal-State program’s assistance is determined by the level of income and resources. 

The applicant must qualify for Medicare Part A.   

The lowest to highest income levels receive the following assistance:  

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

Pays Medicare Part A premium, Part B premium, any deductible and co-pays.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

Pays Medicare Part B premium only. 

Qualified Individual (QI)

Pays Medicare Part B premium only.

For More Information on This Program Call:

Aging and Disability Resource Center:  702-333-1038

Family Resource Center:  702-369-9177

Aging and Disability Services Division:  702-486-4581   

MEDICARE’S “EXTRA HELP” WITH PRESCRIPTION PLAN DRUG COSTS:

Questions?

Are you struggling to pay for your prescription drugs? 

Do you have Medicare part A or B or both?

Do you live within the 50 US states or the District of Columbia?

Is your gross income too high for Nevada State’s Medicaid program?

If your answers are yes, you may qualify for Medicare’s “Extra Help” Program.

What is this “Extra Help” Program?

This Federal Medicare program assists individuals and couples of lower income and moderate resources with their Medicare Part D prescription drug costs.  It is a part of the 2008 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).

What Kind of Help?

Help with monthly premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

There is no “donut hole” or “gap”.  Drug costs could drop to $2.50 for generics and $6.30 for brands.

Enrollment is open at anytime and there are no late enrollment penalties.

Maximum income levels for 2012 are $16,755 (single) and$22,695 (couple) and the resource levels are

$13,070 (single) and $26,120 (couple).

For More Information Go To:

Online at Benefitscheckup.org or Medicare.gov and look for the “Extra Help” section.

MIPPA Volunteers, one-one assistance:  702-486-4581.

Aging and Disability Services Division:  702-486-9794

skgoldstrohm@adad.nv.gov

A Message from the SHIP Program and Aging Network

Unofficial Medicare Postcard Alert

It has come to our attention that Seniors have received the following post card. We believe the National Processing Center sends these on behalf of insurance salesmen as a way to get leads on potential senior customers. Once a senior signs it, they receive telephone calls and visits from insurance salesmen. Seniors should know it is nothing official from the government or Medicare.

IMPORTANT: PROJECTED MEDICARE CHANGES

Proposed cuts to existing government programs include a significant reduction in the federal medicare program, which may result in an increase in premiums and fees that you must pay ...and a decrease in some benefits. This new cutback in the federal Medicare program means that you will become more responsible for an even greater portion of your health care expenses...expense that were previously paid by Medicare.

For more information about these changes and how they will personally affect you and your present health care coverage, simply complete and return this postage paid card today.There will be no cost or obligation for this information.

Also , designed for limited income families or fixed income seniors a plan is available to help pay and final expense debts that social security does not pay.

Updated 3/8/12

Washoe County Senior Services announces

Medicare Counseling Available

Washoe County Senior Services - RENO
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Medicare face-to-face counseling is available at the Reno Senior Citizens Center. Call the Reno Senior Center at 775-328-2592 for an appointment and to verify the schedule at least one week in advance.

Updated 3/7/12

SHIP Counseling and Volunteer Recruitment announce

Medicare Volunteers Needed!

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (S.H.I.P) is recruiting volunteers to assist Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare questions and concerns. No experience is necessary and all training is provided for SHIP volunteers. If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience please contact the Northern Nevada SHIP office for more details at 775-284-8989 ext. 211 or email lupe@accesstohealthcare.org.

Please call 702-486-3478 for the Southern Nevada SHIP office.

Updated 2/16/12

The Division of Aging and Disability Services announces

Nevada Senior and Disability Rx Prescription Program

Are you a senior or a person with a disability who needs help paying for your medications?

Senior and Disability Rx offers prescription subsidies to qualified individuals.
The Senior and Disability Rx program is a pharmacy subsidy program for low income seniors and persons with disabilities who need assistance to afford their medications. Eligibility & Services:

Nevada Senior Rx

• Members who are not eligible for Medicare pay $10 for generic drugs and $25 for brand drugs.
• Members who are eligible for Medicare receive help with the monthly premium for their Part D plan and may use the program as a secondary payer during the Medicare Part D coverage gap. Those enrolled in Medicare are Part D members, those not eligible for Part D are traditional members.
• Age 62 or over

Nevada Disability Rx

• Members who are NOT eligible for Medicare pay $10 for generic drugs and $25 for preferred brands. No monthly premium - no deductible. There is an annual coverage limit of $5,100.
• Members who are eligible for Medicare receive help with the monthly premium for their Part D plan and help with prescription costs after reaching the Medicare Part D coverage limit.
• Age 18 to 61

For both Rx members: Residency - Continuous Nevada resident for the 12 months prior to application. Annual Household Income Limit - effective 7/1/2011 - $26,054 for singles, $34,731 for couples.

How to Apply
Nevada Senior Rx, visit http://dhhs.nv.gov/SeniorRx.htm. Reno-Carson City Gardnerville areas call 775-687-4210, ext. 244 or call this toll-free number: 1-866-303-6323 if outside of those areas.
Nevada Disability Rx, visit http://dhhs.nv.gov/DisabilityRx.htm. Reno-Carson City Gardnerville areas call 775-687-4210, ext. 244 or call this toll-free number: 1-866-303-6323 if outside of those areas.

Updated 2/9/12

Nevada Health Centers, Inc. offers

Nevada Health Centers Dental Program

Miles for Smiles Dental Buses are located in Elko County at the Elko Family Medical and Dental Center. Elko Family Medical and Dental Center accepts new patients. It is appreciated if you call in advance for an appointment. The Medical Center welcomes most private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Women's Health Connection and Nevada Check-Up. A sliding fee schedule for low-income patients who do not have insurance is available. Identification and income information is needed to enroll in the sliding fee program.

Nevada Health Centers also offers dental services at Eastern Family Medical and Dental Center in Las Vegas.

For more information about these programs please call 775-738-5850 in Elko and 702-735-9334 in Las Vegas. Visit our website at www.nvhealthcenters.org.

Updated 2/9/12

The Medicare Website offers

Hospital Compare

A new resource from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and America's hospitals offers instant, free, easy-to-use information about the quality of care in hospitals. It's information about how well hospitals care for people with certain medical conditions. It's information we can all us.

To access the new information resource, Hospital Compare, visit www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov or www.medicare.gov and select Compare Hospitals in Your Area or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Hospital Compare is a resource designed just for you, the consumer. Hospital Compare is available because making a decision for yourself or a loved one about hospital care can be difficult. All hospitals are committed to a high quality of care, but hospitals can vary in the quality of care they provide.

Updated 2/9/12