Medicare counseling coming to Etowah

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Medicare counseling here at the center on Oct. 15 and 16, and Nov. 12 and 13 for Medicare Open Enrollment. Open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 until Dec. 7. The counseling will be offered through SHIP, or State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Open Enrollment is a window that takes place each fall during which Medicare plan enrollees can reevaluate their existing Medicare coverage and make changes if they wish. SHIP also provides counseling to those under the age of 65 with disabilities that receive Medicare. The counseling is by appointment only.

We are excited that SHIP will be here 4 days instead of 3, but there is something that has changed. You will need to call SHIP to schedule your appointment. They will ask you some simple questions to be able to help you more. The phone number to schedule your appointment is 615-231-5462. Be sure to tell them you want an appointment at the Etowah Senior Center.

SHIP provides objective counseling and assistance to people with questions or problems regarding Medicare and other related health insurances. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company. Everyone who is eligible for Medicare is eligible for the SHIP counseling. There is no charge for the counseling.

The mission of the SHIP program is to help all Medicare enrollees, regardless of financial status, obtain the health care they need and to which they are entitled and to be the last stop for consumers, who by the time they reach a SHIP counselor, report feelings of frustration and hopelessness after having tried to navigate the Medicare system on their own. They also try to facilitate consumer access to other available Tennessee Aging and Disability network programs and public benefits whenever possible.

SHIP counselors are highly trained and certified to assist people in obtaining coverage through options such as Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).

SHIP also assists beneficiaries with limited income to apply for programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program, and Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy, which helps pay for or reduce healthcare costs.

SHIP is funded in part by state funds and by grants from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The original program was founded under Section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Tennessee received the grant in 1992. The program was originally established to address the confusion caused by the increased amount of choices of Medicare supplement insurance, also known as Medigap.

In 2018 SHIP provided one-on-one health insurance counseling to more than 2,694,135 Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers, including 330,737 adults under 65 with disabilities. They also provided outreach to more than 4, 238,927 individuals at public presentations, enrollment events, health fairs, or other community events.

You might be asking yourself if you need to speak to a Medicare counselor. Medicare and drug plans can change each year, regarding cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. Some other reasons you might want to speak to a SHIP counselor:

You are new to Medicare and want to pick the right coverage for the first time.

You currently have Medicare but want to make sure you've got the right coverage that works for you.

You wonder if there are savings programs that apply to you.

You receive forms or letters from Medicare that are confusing.

You need assistance picking a Part D prescription drug plan.

You want to know if having a supplement plan would be good for you.

Our SHIP consultant will guide you through the maze of complicated health insurance decisions. They can answer your questions on original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare and Prescription Drug Costs, Medicare Supplements or Medigap Insurance, Medicare and other insurance, Medicare and TennCare/Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance. The counselors will not make decisions for you. Their purpose is to assist you objectively and confidentially, and to empower you to make you own wise health care decisions.

Maybe you are not able to come to the center to receive Medicare help. You can also call the same number for any questions you may have. You should also consider signing up for important email messages from SHIP. It only takes a few easy steps to stay informed. You can also sign up at MyMedicare.gov to track the preventative benefits you have used each year and remind you of benefits for which you are eligible.

Just remember, to take advantage of the SHIP Medicare Counseling, you must call 615-231-5462 to make an appointment.

We are so honored to have some special guests here at the center on Oct. 1. Kathleen Hilt, head videographer, from the Department of Disability and Aging in Nashville will be at our center and will interview some of our seniors and will film some of our activities we do outside. She said she heard of the exciting activities we do outdoors and would like to feature our senior center. It is such a great honor to be recognized for the outstanding activities we offer at our center.

On this day, our seniors will participate in an outdoor treasure hunt and then we will finish with a cookie walk.

The Mobile MOC will once again be here on Oct. 15. You will need to call 423-425-1657 to make an appointment. The appointments are filling up fast, so call as soon as possible. Walk-ins are accepted but not guaranteed.

The Mobile MOC will be parked on Lewis Court which is just below the senior center. Anyone who is visiting the Mobile Clinic will need to park in the parking lot across from the front of the senior center and come into the front door of the center. We will show you where to go. Our address is 435 Cooper Street in Etowah.

This opportunity has been funded by a grant that was awarded from the Healthcare Resiliency Fund and the Tennessee Department of Health. The Mobile MOC is partnering with the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging to provide older adults and caregivers tools needed to age successfully.

More information on the Mobile MOC:

What it is: The mobile health unit is a specially equipped vehicle designed to bring healthcare services to older adults and caregivers in rural communities. The qualified healthcare team will travel to 10 Southeast Tennessee counties to provide medical care, preventative screenings, annual wellness exams and important support services.

Who we serve: Older adults (between 62 and up) and caregivers are priority. Adults 18 years and over may be served if time permits. Individuals will be seen regardless of insurance or residency status.

Cost of service: There is no charge for services rendered by Mobile MOC providers. Insurance is not necessary, and no insurance company will be billed. Everything is completely free.

Where we serve. Etowah Senior Center is the site for McMinn County. The Mobile MOC will be at the center on the third Wednesday of each month and will begin seeing patients at 10 a.m. and will accept patients until 2 p.m.

Our providers: Healthcare services are provided by licensed and experienced providers. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga faculty and students will support the Mobile MOC providers to provide much needed interprofessional care.

Our services:

Primary Care: Annual Wellness Exams, Cancer Screenings, Vision Screening, Hearing Screening, Acute Care (new illness), and Specialist Referrals.

Functional Care: Strength and Balance Assessment, Activities of Daily Living, Home Assessment, Home Modification Referral, and Adaptive Equipment.

Mental Health: Screening and Referrals.

Memory: Screening and Referrals.

Caregiver Support: Health Screenings, Resource Navigation, and Support Groups.

Other Support: End-of-Life Planning, Nutrition, Chronic Disease Management, Medication Assistance, Benefits Assistance, and Telehealth.

This is a wonderful opportunity for McMinn County. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this. Just remember that to make sure you will be seen by a health care provider, you will need to call 423-425-1657 to make an appointment.

Some exciting events coming to our center include:

Sept. 29: 9 a.m. — Puzzles and Games; 10 a.m. — Bingo with Southern Sweets; 11 a.m. — Big Whopper DaySept. 30: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Bingo with Joanna Fiochetti; 11 a.m. — Candle MakingOct. 1: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Nature Treasure Hunt; 11 a.m. — Cookie Walk (Visit with Kathleen Hilt, Videographer with the Tennessee Dept. of Disability and Aging)Oct. 2: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Crocodile Hunter; 11 a.m. — October IQOct. 3: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Apple Bingo; 10:30 a.m. — Waffle House Visit for Volunteers