Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Feb 1, 2015 | Articles, February - March 2015, Programs & Services
It is February and if you have not signed up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period and you are not covered by an active employer group health plan, you still may enroll until Mar. 31. Your coverage for Medicare Part B will begin July 1st and you...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Dec 1, 2014 | Articles, December - January 2015, Programs & Services
The holidays are quickly coming. We hope that you have all looked at your Medicare options for 2015. If your plan won’t be available, we urge you take action and make the changes that are best for you. If you have not yet made your decision and need help comparing the...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Aug 1, 2014 | Articles, August - September 2014, Programs & Services
Earlier this year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified the criteria for determining payment responsibility under the Part A hospice benefit and Part D prescription drug benefit for individuals who are under the Medicare hospice benefit....
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Jun 1, 2014 | Articles, June - July 2014, Programs & Services
Are you going to stop working when you are 65 years old? If you are like some people in Hawaii — you love your job and you aren’t ready to stop working just because you are eligible for Medicare. What happens then? Do you have to sign up for Medicare? Will you be...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Feb 1, 2014 | Articles, February - March 2014, Programs & Services
The Hawaii SHIP office recently received a call from a woman who left the message, “I looked in the mirror this morning and this young 50 year old was looking back at me. Then my high school classmate called and asked if I had enrolled in Medicare yet? I realized I...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Programs & Services
Planning ahead for 2014, made me stop and ponder for a moment … what are the things that are really important to me? First thing that came to my mind was my family. Second was the health of my family and myself. This article is dedicated to Medicare recipients and...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2013, Programs & Services
Congratulations! You have made your decision of the Medicare Health and Drug Plan for 2013. For many, this might mean that you stayed with the plan that you had in 2012 and for some, you may have looked at the options available in your area and have enrolled with a...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Oct 1, 2013 | Articles, October - November 2013, Programs & Services
As the air cools and the mango trees produce the last of their fruit, we approach the fall season and the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. November is also National Caregivers Month. These are both very important times for individuals with Medicare and our unsung...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Aug 1, 2013 | Articles, August - September 2013, Programs & Services
On July 1, 2013, Medicare was scheduled to implement a national mail-order program for diabetic testing supplies. The program was designed to offer patients quality supplies at a discounted rate. Rather than having an approved amount of $78 for 100 test strips and...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Jun 1, 2013 | Articles, June - July 2013, Programs & Services
We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked: Is this letter legitimate? Yes it...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Apr 1, 2013 | April - May 2013, Articles, Programs & Services
As it may happen to some seniors, retirees or other individuals with Medicare, the decision to get off of any health insurance plan is a personal risk. And then deciding to get back on becomes another decision/challenge. Here, a personal friend contacted me asking...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Feb 1, 2013 | Articles, February - March 2013, Programs & Services
February is “Heart Healthy Month” (and for all of you sweethearts out there, don’t forget Valentine’s Day on February 14th). Taking care of your heart is very important and there are some easy things that each of us can do. Ask your physician what your “healthy...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Oct 1, 2012 | Articles, October - November 2012, Programs & Services
It is that magical time of the year. The pumpkins are at the open markets, the air is a bit cooler and it’s time for your Medicare Check-Up. You don’t need to see your doctor for this checkup, just sit down and reflect back on the past year. Questions to ask yourself:...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Aug 1, 2012 | Articles, August - September 2012, Programs & Services
We at Sage PLUS Program/Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) often get calls on our hotline from individuals who are confused about “who pays for what,” especially when it comes to care facilities (nursing homes, care homes, assisted living...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Jun 1, 2012 | Articles, June - July 2012, Programs & Services
In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act — the new health insurance law. The law creates a new program — the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan — to make health insurance available to you if you have been denied coverage...
Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) | Aug 1, 2011 | Articles, August - September 2011, Programs & Services
Now is the time to get the most out of your Medicare. The best way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. You can live a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease by exercising, eating well, keeping a healthy weight and not smoking. Medicare can help. Medicare...