Thursday, January 26, 2006
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
An Opportunity and Responsibility for CTCs
The new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is an opportunity for CTCs to reach out to older adults in their communities. For seniors who do not sign up for a plan by May 15, 2006, joining later means you pay a higher premium. There is a 1% penalty for each month you are not in the plan when you are elgible. For example, if you wait 12 months to sign up, you will pay 12% more on your Part D premium for the rest of your life. If you have drug coverage, you may be exempted from this penalty.
The opportunity and responsibility for CTCs is this. Individuals can enroll online at www.benefitscheckuprx.org or www.medicare.org . Trained volunteers at CTCs can perform a tremendous service by helping persons sign up online, which takes about 45 minutes per person.
The enrollment period ends on May 15, 2006 and then persons cannot sign up for a plan again until November 15, 2006. For more information about how Houston area CTCs can assist in this effort contact Pam.Gardner@techforall.org or call her at 713.454.6415.
The new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is an opportunity for CTCs to reach out to older adults in their communities. For seniors who do not sign up for a plan by May 15, 2006, joining later means you pay a higher premium. There is a 1% penalty for each month you are not in the plan when you are elgible. For example, if you wait 12 months to sign up, you will pay 12% more on your Part D premium for the rest of your life. If you have drug coverage, you may be exempted from this penalty.
The opportunity and responsibility for CTCs is this. Individuals can enroll online at www.benefitscheckuprx.org or www.medicare.org . Trained volunteers at CTCs can perform a tremendous service by helping persons sign up online, which takes about 45 minutes per person.
The enrollment period ends on May 15, 2006 and then persons cannot sign up for a plan again until November 15, 2006. For more information about how Houston area CTCs can assist in this effort contact Pam.Gardner@techforall.org or call her at 713.454.6415.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Note from Nikki
Nikki Payne, TFA's AmeriCorps*VISTA member, is in South America. With a digital media grant obtained through one of our volunteers during our work with Katrina evacuees, Nikki is visiting digital media programs in Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. Below is Nikki's latest note from south of the Ecuator.
From: Nikki Payne
Sent: Wed 1/11/2006 7:21 PM
To: Will Reed
Subject: updates
Hey Will!
I hope this letter finds you well....I've always wanted to say that! Leaving Gauyaquil...it was awesome so far of the three centers I've seen I like CefoCine the best! Wait till you see what these kids made! simply fantastic.... I also got a phenomenal interview with Rafael I want to model my program after his... I have so many things I want to show you guys. each center gave me tons of material. CefoCine has something similar to our job tech program and other programs gaining them recognition al over south America! They have a fantastic place and are opening up a new one. I think we should stay in contact with them as they grow! I rode the bus in guayaquil... what an adventure! there is no rhyme or reason but we managed. No place takes Credit cards.. they are like the black plague.. so I'm having to eat at the hotel which is kind of expensive and annoying... especially when there are so many KFC's around!
Best wishes
Nikki
From: Nikki Payne
Sent: Wed 1/11/2006 7:21 PM
To: Will Reed
Subject: updates
Hey Will!
I hope this letter finds you well....I've always wanted to say that! Leaving Gauyaquil...it was awesome so far of the three centers I've seen I like CefoCine the best! Wait till you see what these kids made! simply fantastic.... I also got a phenomenal interview with Rafael I want to model my program after his... I have so many things I want to show you guys. each center gave me tons of material. CefoCine has something similar to our job tech program and other programs gaining them recognition al over south America! They have a fantastic place and are opening up a new one. I think we should stay in contact with them as they grow! I rode the bus in guayaquil... what an adventure! there is no rhyme or reason but we managed. No place takes Credit cards.. they are like the black plague.. so I'm having to eat at the hotel which is kind of expensive and annoying... especially when there are so many KFC's around!
Best wishes
Nikki
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
January CTC Brown Bag
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.
12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.
at
The East End Life Center
2002 South Wayside
Houston, Texas 77023
An informative session regarding the
new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Presented by
J. Hiloxi Jones, Southeast Texas Public Information Officer
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
&
Mary Southwick, Project Coordinator
Better Business Bureau Education Foundation
