Dear Ken,
Welcome to the latest issue of Along the Way! |
Fundraiser Boat Cruise - July 15th
|  Join us on Thursday evening, July 15, for a fun cruise aboard Cape Ann Whale Watch's "Hurricane II" to benefit SeniorCare services. At 115 feet long, the Hurricane is the largest whale watch boat north of Boston, and is wide enough to help make the ride smoother and much more comfortable. She has a well appointed galley, and four restrooms instead of the usual one or two for patrons' convenience. On the evening of our cruise, Leo's Classic Hits will provide music for your dancing or listening pleasure, and there will be raffles, door prizes, a light buffet and cash bar. Tickets are $25/per person. Event sponsorships are also available, and sponsors will receive recognition at the event and on our web site for donations of $100 or more, or a purchase of 6 tickets to the event. The cruise will depart promptly at 6:30 P.M. from Rose's Wharf in Gloucester, MA and will cruise to Salem Harbor and back, weather permitting, arriving back in Gloucester at approximately 9:30. Tickets are limited, get yours today! Ticket Order FormSpecial thanks to Sam Park & Co., our premier sponsor for this event.
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SeniorCare at Pride Stride
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Members of the SeniorCare and RSVP staff walked in the annual Gloucester Pride Stride to raise money for programs operated by RSVP of the North Shore.
From left to right, the walkers were: Robin Saipe, RSVP Director; Mary Lou Crane, Elder Care Advisor; Linnea Hagberg, Nutrition Program Director; Bea Robbins, RSVP's Operation Able Participant; Emily Prince, Senior Care Options Care Manager; and Andrea Basso Home Care Program Care Manager.
Some would say these were the best dressed walkers at Pride Stride!
RSVP of the North Shore, which is sponsored by SeniorCare, provides volunteers for many non-profit "partner stations" on Cape Ann and the North Shore, and serves thirteen communities: Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Topsfield, and Wenham.
If you are seeking a volunteer opportunity, call RSVP at 978-281-1750 or at our toll free number 1-866-927-1050.
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Medicare and the New Health Care Law
| Things that stay the same: you will still be able to choose between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment this fall.
Improvements you will see right away: If you reach the Part D "donut hole" coverage gap on your prescriptions this year, you'll receive a one-time rebate check for $250 if you are not already receiving Medicare Extra Help.
Next year, you can get free preventive colorectal and mammogram screenings, plus a free annual physical.
Starting in September, insurance companies will be banned from establishing lifetime limits on your coverage, use of annual limits will be limited.
Look for more details in the new Medicare and You booklet that will come out in the fall.
For more information on the new law, or to access Medicare publications, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (TTY users call 1-877-486-2048). Please remember, do not give your personal Medicare information to anyone who isn't a trusted source.
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Cutbacks to MassHealth Benefits
| MassHealth is cutting certain benefits starting July 1, 2010. Dental benefits will be limited mostly to diagnostic and preventive services, extractions and emergency visits for members age 21 or older. However, MassHealth will no longer pay for fillings, root canals, deep scaling, crowns, dentures, or surgical procedures related to full or partial dentures. Affected members are encouraged to access services through Health Safety Net.
Also effective July 1, there will be a change in co-payments for most covered generic and over-the-counter drugs from $2 to $3. Co-pays for certain covered diabetes (metformin), high blood pressure (lisinopril), and high cholesterol (simvastatin) drugs will remain at $1. The total amount that MassHealth members can be charged for co-pays within a year will remain at $200.
In October, MassHealth plans will no longer cover acute inpatient hospital stays after the first 20 days for MassHealth members who are 21 years of age or older, but will continue to cover all medically necessary inpatient stays in a Department of Mental Health licensed acute psychiatric unit (within a Dept. of Public Health licensed facility).
On or after July 1, there will also be changes to non-emergency transportation benefits. MassHealth members will no longer receive reimbursement for personal vehicle mileage costs, or for arranging their own rides, when going to MassHealth covered services. Members can still be paid back for the cost of public transportation to such services if the ride they take meets MassHealth requirements. If MassHealth decides that there are exceptional circumstances, they may elect to reimburse for transportation costs that are not for public transportation. If consumers have any doubts they are encouraged to speak to their physican or service provider about how to request transportation services.
For more information or questions about these changes, call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY 1-800-497-4648 for those with hearing loss). Or, email membersupport@mahealth.net (please do not send private information to MassHealth via email).
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5 Blackburn Center
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-281-1750
Toll Free 1-866-927-1050
Fax: 978-281-1753
TDD: 978-282-1836
www.seniorcareinc.org
srcare@seniorcareinc.org
SeniorCare is the regional elder services agency serving Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the Sea, Rockport, Topsfield, and Wenham Massachusetts.
ELDER SERVICES ~ INFORMATION ~ SOLUTIONS
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SeniorCare
Annual Meeting
| SeniorCare holds its Annual Meeting on Friday, June 18 at Woodman's in Essex.
This year's keynote speaker is the new CEO of Northeast Health Systems,
Ken Hanover.
Watch for news on our annual awards!
www.seniorcareinc.org
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