Category: Programs & Services

  • Don’t Let The Clock Run Out on Part D

    It’s official: You signed up for Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your enrollment isn’t quite finished yet though — at least, it shouldn’t be. Your next step is to enroll in a prescription drug plan. This is true even if you’re not presently taking any medications. It is important that you enroll in a…

  • Ask Medicare About IRMAA

    Whether you are newly enrolled into Medicare or had coverage for awhile, you may be one of the beneficiaries subject to a higher monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Approximately 7% of all Medicare enrollees pay a higher premium. Those impacted are notified by letter.

  • BBB: A Beacon for E-Shoppers

    Shopping online can feel like walking through a bustling bazaar. Unique finds and great deal are everywhere, but not all sellers are created equal. This is true whether you’re shopping for gifts, buying clothes, ordering vitamins from an online pharmacy or reserving a hotel room for your next trip off island.

  • Seniors Have Fun & Flourish at the YMCA

    Seniors in our communities have been severely impacted by the pandemic, often struggling with hardships, health issues and feelings of disconnection. A staggering 45% of those surveyed in Honolulu County reported distress due to loneliness, anxiety and isolation.

  • Keep up With Social Security Online

    We strive to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at ssa.gov, we also regularly post useful information on our blog and on social media. We invite you to read our posts and share items of interest with your family and friends.

  • Coalition Guide to Caring for Kūpuna

    The Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition was formed to develop new partnerships at local and state levels to advance a coordinated approach to address the needs of  Hawai‘i’s family caregivers. As caregiving touches everyone, the mission of the Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition (HFCC) is to improve the quality of life of those who give and receive…

  • Gain Skills to Avoid Medicare Fraudsters

    With our state’s senior population growing at a rapid rate, protecting kūpuna against the threat of Medicare fraud and abuse is essential. More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day, becoming eligible for Medicare as they blow out their birthday candles. As of 2020, one in four Hawai‘i residents is 65 or older, with this…

  • Getting Ahead of Incapacity

    Many of us go through life believing everything will go according to plan. However, as the saying goes, even the best-laid plans go astray. So, to avoid unnecessary interruptions later in life that can be both financially and emotionally costly, it is wise to plan now for the possibility of incapacity.

  • Medicare 2023: Hawai‘i’s Got It Good!

    When my Hawai‘i Medicare Advantage members move to the mainland, they often don’t want to look for a new agent. So I find myself getting licensed in other states so I can help them find a new healthcare plan. What I keep learning is that compared with the mainland, Hawai‘i has really great plans.

  • Medicare Part B Start Date Changes

    Changes are coming in 2023 regarding when Medicare Part B coverage starts. Please forward this article to those who may need it.

  • Lower Prescription Copays in 2023

    According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the number of Medicare beneficiaries in Hawai‘i has grown to 281,091. Seventy-two percent of  beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage through Medicare Parts C and D. Even so, prescriptions can be expensive. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is intended to help lower copays for covered medications.