OUTREACH
Annual Notice of Changes for Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Part D Season Approaching! Is it already almost that time of
What Medicare D Season Will Look Like This Year WCSC Outreach is working remotely this season. Due to the rise in COVID-19 in Whiteside County, WCSC Outreach plans to conduct Medicare Part-D comparisons and
enrollments on a remote basis this year, as we will not be offering faceto-face appointments, for your safety and our staff, we can also arrange to meet by video conference (ex: ZOOM or Google meets). Because the Whiteside County Senior Center is currently closed to public access, please call us at 815-622-9230 Ext: 194 to discuss our procedure and to set up a phone or virtual appointment. LCCOA Outreach is aware that we currently live in uncertain times for face-to-face scheduling; we are currently discussing our procedures, so that we can best service our clients and keep them and our staff safe. Though our center remains closed to the public we have recently begun taking minimal but necessary face to face appointments and intend on being able to assist those who must
be seen face to face during the upcoming season as we are able. These appointments will be greatly limited and we will be emphasizing phone/mail based, email/fax or even the possibility of fully virtual appointments as needed. As always, both LCCOA and WCSC will do our best to serve everyone that we can in the best and safest way possible! We will take appointments by first come, first served. You can begin calling your counties senior center during the week of Sept. 14th to start your comparison scheduling process. Please remember that our centers are closed to the public and no walk-ins will be accepted. In Lee County, please call LCCOA at 815-288-9236 or email Samantha at lccoaoutreach1@comcast.net. In Whiteside, please call WCSC at 815622-9230 ext: 194.
DISCOVER HEALTHY AGING
You can discover how to age with confidence, positivity Extension Service offers free webinars By The Illinois Extension Service College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Age may just be a number, but 2020 is putting that statement to the test. University of Illinois Extension Family Life educators offer suggestions for handling the physical and emotional challenges of aging, especially in light of the current health challenges. Now more than ever, we could all use encouragement and practical ways to slow down and enjoy the
art of healthy aging. Throughout September, learn ways to face aging with confidence and positivity in a free online webinar series. Discover Healthy Aging begins Sept. 3 and will give practical tips from research-based information to enhance the aging experience. years. Each of the four webinars begins at 10 a.m. each Thursday in September. Topics include: • Sept. 3 – I’m Positive I’m Aging: The series kicks off exploring the characteristics of positive aging with a discussion on ageism and the similarities of older and younger generations. Through these discussions,
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the importance of positivity-infused lifestyle choices, friendships, and attitudes in healthy aging with be covered. • Sept. 10 – Looking for the Funny Side of Life: Humor has both physical and psychological health benefits. This session will review ways to use humor to cope with stress and changes in life. • Sept.17 – Finding Your Get Up and Go: Most everyone has days, or seasons of life, where it’s hard to find motivation to accomplish tasks. This webinar will help listeners hone in on what causes motivational ups and downs and give ideas on how to
boost enthusiasm and increase productivity. • Sept. 24 – Someday is Today - Live Your Bucket List: Live life to the fullest by checking off items on your bucket list. This webinar will challenge participants to put goals and dreams down on paper and actively pursue one bucket list item at a time. All sessions are free, but registration is required. Register at illinois. edu/registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at kbelzer@ illinois.edu Sincerely, Karla Belzer, Family Life Educator
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• September 2020
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Part-D plan, be on the look-out for your Annual Notice of Change in the mail during the month of September. This will detail any changes in costs and coverage in your drug plan for 2021. It is a great idea to look at this information, and if you are happy with your drug plan and with any projected changes for 2021, you do not need to enroll into a different drug plan as it will automatically carry over into 2021. If your drug plan will not be offered in 2021 they will alert you on this change and it will be imperative that you check your options and get a new plan.
year?! As a reminder, Medicare Part-D enrollment season will be here starting October 15 and running until December 7. At that time, you can enroll into a Medicare Part-D drug plan, change drug plans, or enroll into or change your Medicare Advantage Plan, all to be effective January 1, 2021. It is always a good idea to check your plan each year to ensure you are not spending more than you have to be in the coming year. Our SHIP certified counselors are here to help you; educate, compare and even enroll you into your chosen plan.
GOLDEN ECHO | Sauk Valley Media
WCSC and LCCOA Outreach news and updates
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