Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Jul 15, 2020 | March 2011, Programs & Services
Hawai‘i’s Sage PLUS (SHIP) counselors are often asked, “What is Medicare, and how does it affect me?” Medicare is the United State’s federal health insurance that is available to those 65 years and older, and to people at any age with certain disabilities. You can choose to use the government’s Original/Traditional Medicare, or a commercial Medicare Health Plan or a Medicare Supplement (also known as “Medigap” insurance).
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Jul 15, 2020 | February 2011, Programs & Services
This February share your heart with those special people by using your Medicare Preventive Benefits. As of January 1, 2011, under Original/ Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans there are no co-pays for preventive benefits. That means if your doctor feels that you could benefit from a cardiovascular screening you will pay nothing out of pocket for the screen.
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Jul 10, 2020 | October 2010, Programs & Services
On May 29, 2010 my husband and I were enjoying a vacation in the Pacific Northwest when we received a “frantic” call from my sister-in-law who was staying with my 92-year-old mother-in-law. We had ordered a refill of Mom’s medication through her Medicare Part D plan. The plan called to see if it was okay to put a $1,200 charge on my credit card. “But I thought Mom has Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage” my sister-in-law exclaimed. Mom does have a Part D plan but she had reached the “donut hole” or coverage gap in the plan. How did this happen?
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Programs & Services
Sage is not just a spice — it also means a wise person. How do the Sages of the community keep that positive attitude and stay healthy? One way is to keep healthy with preventive services available through original Medicare Part B and all the Medicare Health plans in...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles, February - March 2016, Programs & Services
The Hawaii SHIP is repeatedly asked this question, “Does Medicare cover Alzheimer’s Disease?” Medicare’s coverage is based on “medically necessary” procedures, not disease diagnosis. For example, if I go to my doctor and he orders blood to be drawn to see if my...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Aug 1, 2015 | Articles, August - September 2015, Programs & Services
Looking back, the month of July seemed to just fly by (they say time does that as we “mature”). Many of us don’t realize what a monumental month July is. We all enjoy the Fourth of July and celebrating Independence Day or just sleeping in and then relaxing by the...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Jun 1, 2015 | Articles, June - July 2015, Programs & Services
Are you a family caregiver — taking care of your parents and also your own keiki? Understanding health care can be a challenge, whether you live with that family member or provide long-distance assistance. In the 2014 AARP Caregiver Survey of Hawaii Registered Voters,...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Apr 1, 2015 | April - May 2015, Articles, Programs & Services
April is recognized as National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Then May is Older Americans Month and the theme this year is “Get into the Act.” Our SHIP volunteers have been getting into the act through delivering community presentations, providing information at...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Oct 1, 2014 | Articles, October - November 2014, Programs & Services
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (also called the “Annual Enrollment Period”) is each year from Oct. 15th — Dec. 7th. Each year this is your opportunity to do a Medicare Checkup: Will my plan still be available in 2016? Is my plan still affordable (looking at...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Apr 1, 2012 | Articles, Programs & Services
Seeing Coach Murakami on the cover made me think about how much Medicare and baseball have in common. Practice and being prepared for the big game is one way to hit a home run. It’s the same idea with Medicare. Innings (In Medicare they are called Enrollment Periods)...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Feb 1, 2012 | Articles, February - March 2012, Programs & Services
Here are some of the most common questions that we at the Sage PLUS Program (Hawai‘i SHIP) hear from individuals. If you have a general question, you can e-mail it to us at help@hawaiiship.org and we will address a couple of questions each Generations publication. For...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Dec 1, 2011 | Articles, December - January 2012, Programs & Services
The holidays quickly came and went, along with December 7th, which is the end of Medicare’s annual enrollment period. Some folks missed their opportunity to add, change or drop their Medicare plan, and they want to know if they have any options now that the annual...
Pamela Cunningham, Hawai‘i SHIP Coordinator | Oct 1, 2011 | Articles, October - November 2011, Programs & Services
It is that time of year (and this year it is even earlier), when you need to take a moment to think about your Medicare health coverage. Is my plan still meeting my needs? Are my prescription drugs covered? Is it affordable? Are there new plans out there that may...