Category: Programs & Services

  • Door Opens for Those With Disabilities

    There is nothing a grandparent gets greater satisfaction from than helping their mo‘opuna. This may be especially true if the grandchild has special needs. Their ongoing health and financial welfare is priority one.

    But for too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing essential government benefits — the ones they depend upon each and every day.

    The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 provided kūpuna with a way of preparing their grandchild for adulthood by giving people with disabilities, including those with Down Syndrome, hearing or vision loss, etc., the opportunity to save without losing benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Those receiving  government benefits and their families now have a financial tool to put money aside for purchases to enhance their quality of life without jeopardizing benefits.

    Since Hawai‘i established its savings program (www.hawaiiablesavings.com), those with disabilities now have the opportunity to prepare and think in terms of their future — an option they did not have before. For as little as $25, grandparents and family members can open an account for their child or grandchild with eligible disabilities and contribute to their loved one’s ABLE account without affecting their benefits. They can finally save for qualified disability expenses, invest in a tax-free account and prepare for and invest in the future and keep the benefits needed every day. You can save and invest up to $16,000 a year for a wide range of eligible expenses, including health, wellness and prevention; housing; financial management; education; transportation; job training and support; assistive technology; and funeral and burial expenses.

    The account’s growth is tax free. Supplemental Security Income benefits won’t be affected as long as savings is below $100,000. Other benefits are not affected regardless of the amount saved.

    See the eligibility requirements at www.hawaiiablesavings. com/eligibility. For more information about the Hawai’i ABLE Savings Program, watch a webinar at www.hawaiiablesavings. com/resources or join one of the monthly presentations on the last Wednesday of each month.

    For more, contact Executive Administrator Daintry Bartoldus at the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities (see below).

    HAWAI‘I ABLE SAVING PROGRAM
    Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities
    Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building
    1010 Richards St., Rm. 122, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-586-8100 | Fax: 808-586-7543
    daintry.bartoldus@doh.hawaii.gov
    www.hawaiiablesavings.com
    The ABLE team is an independent sub-unit of the Hawai‘i Department of Health, who strive to improve the lives and rights of individuals with developmental  disabilities.

    There is nothing a grandparent gets greater satisfaction from than helping their mo‘opuna. This may be especially true if the grandchild has special needs. Their ongoing health and financial welfare is priority one. But for too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing essential government benefits —…

  • Medicare Enrollment: Stop, Look & Listen

    It’s Medicare Annual Enrollment time again! So are you looking at a ton of information and videos online, and reviewing stacks of sales materials from insurance companies? Too much information can cause more questions than answers and more confusion than common sense.

    Medicare was offered in 1966 to provide security and peace of mind, not to cause you to lose your mind, patience or money. Making a hasty decision because you are overwhelmed or confused by all of the Medicare information floating around can lead to problems.

    So instead, stop, look and listen to what your current Medicare plan is saying. If it is reasonably successful or effective, there is no need to change or replace it. Just stick with the plan!

    But if you decide to make a change to your existing Medicare Advantage plan, prescription drug plan or Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you can do so from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

    The peace of mind that comes with understanding is priceless. So for more information, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov. Check with Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or medicare.gov to learn about Medicare premiums, late enrollment penalties and Medicare insurance options available in your county.

    GET2INSURANCE.COM FAMILY OFFICE
    1003 Bishop St., Ste. 2700, Honolulu, HI 96813
    800-226-3660 | martha@get2insurance.com
    Get2insurance.com

    It’s Medicare Annual Enrollment time again! So are you looking at a ton of information and videos online, and reviewing stacks of sales materials from insurance companies? Too much information can cause more questions than answers and more confusion than common sense.

  • Senior Resources During the Holidays

    A close-up of a senior woman sitting at home at Christmas time.The holiday season is a joyful time to spend with loved ones. However, it can be challenging or seniors who are alone or on limited income. Getting to the market or medical appointments is difficult when you have few transportation options. For those on a limited income, it may involve making a tough choice — using their funds to buy food or pay monthly bills.

    Loneliness, social isolation, limited transportation and lack of adequate financial resources are often realities of life, not just during the holiday season, but also on a daily basis.

    We can help. Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH) offers Phone-A-Friend, a program that matches volunteer callers with isolated seniors via scheduled phone calls. CCH’s Transportation Services helps seniors access health, nutrition and social services. CCH’s Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) assists Medicare beneficiaries struggling financially to maximize their public and private benefits for their basic needs. Benefits may include the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) to help get food on the table, Medicare subsidies or Medicaid to help with medical care, Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help cover utility expenses, and more.

    CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAI‘I (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    1822 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu, HI 96822
    808-527-4777
    peter.reyes@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
    CatholicCharitiesHawaii.org

    The Benefits Enrollment Center program of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i is made possible through grants from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Walmart Foundation. Medicare recipients can contact the Benefit Enrollment Center at 808-527-4777 to learn more.

    The holiday season is a joyful time to spend with loved ones. However, it can be challenging or seniors who are alone or on limited income. Getting to the market or medical appointments is difficult when you have few transportation options. For those on a limited income, it may involve making a tough choice —…

  • Medicare: New Regulations Start This Fall

    Medicare and Medicaid agents are scheduled to begin recording calls and providing a new disclaimer at the beginning of phone calls this fall during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. These changes directly result from new compliance rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

    Agents will be required to record calls with customers who want to discuss Medicare Advantage and/or Part D prescription drug plans. Recordings are retained for a  minimum of 10 years. Agents must also recite a new, required disclaimer within the first 60 seconds of a call.

    “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”

    These new regulations were implemented to help protect you, the Medicare beneficiary. Please ask the licensed agent you work with if they comply with these new rules and if the recordings are stored on a HIPAA-compliant system to ensure security of your Personal Health Information (PHI). This will help provide you peace of mind by ensuring that your information is protected.

    COPELAND INSURANCE GROUP
    1360 S. Beretania St., Ste. 209, Honolulu, HI 96814
    808-591-4877 | Fax: 808-589-2399
    margaret@copelandgroupusa.com
    copelandgroupusa.com

    Medicare and Medicaid agents are scheduled to begin recording calls and providing a new disclaimer at the beginning of phone calls this fall during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. These changes directly result from new compliance rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

  • Beware of Holiday Charity Scams

    If you are considering a donation to a charity during this season of giving, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii warns you to be wary. Charities use the phone, face-to-face contact, email and the internet — and so do scammers. The Federal Trade Commission, an SMP partner, offers these tips to keep you safe from scammers:

    • Ask for the charity’s exact name, address and phone number.

    • Research the organization online — especially with the word “complaint(s)” or “scam.”

    • Call the charity to confirm that it has people soliciting donations.

    • Ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser. If so, ask the name of the charity they represent and the percentage of donations that go to the charity.

    • Keep a record of donations.

    • Never send cash. Pay by check made payable to the charity or by credit card.

    • Never wire money to someone claiming to be a charity. Scammers often request donations to be wired because wiring money is like sending cash: once you send it, you can’t get it back.

    • Never give your credit or check card number, bank account number or any personal information until you’ve thoroughly researched the charity.

    • For more information, visit ftc.gov. To learn more about Medicare fraud and scams, visit SMP online.

    Fifty-four SMPs in the nation empower and assist beneficiaries, families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse through counseling, outreach and education. Contact SMP Hawaii for free presentations, counseling and how to protect yourself against scammers. This volunteer-based program depends on caring, qualified and professional volunteers to help kūpuna against falling victim to Medicare fraudsters and more. Join our team and make an immediate and lasting difference in our community!

    SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL (SMP) HAWAII
    Department of Health — Executive Office on Aging
    250 S. Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-586-7281 | Toll Free: 1-800-296-9422
    info@smphawaii.org | smphawaii.org

    This project was supported in part by grant number 90MPPG0053 from the US Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy. The Hawai‘i Department of Health – Executive Office on Aging has administered SMP Hawaii since 1997.

    If you are considering a donation to a charity during this season of giving, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii warns you to be wary. Charities use the phone, face-to-face contact, email and the internet — and so do scammers. The Federal Trade Commission, an SMP partner, offers these tips to keep you safe from scammers.

  • Navigating Mental Illness

    One in five people are affected by mental health conditions each year. Since the pandemic, that number has been on the rise. NAMI Hawaii, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the state organization that supports our community’s mental health and gives them hope.

    NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, with over 600 affiliates in the US and four affiliates in each county in the state. NAMI’s mission is to provide support, education, advocacy and awareness so that all  individuals and families can build better lives.

    NAMI provides free programs across the state on Zoom and in person. Family-to-Family is a free, eight-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. NAMI provides support for families and caregivers..

    Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.

    NAMI also provides connection recovery support groups, a speakers’ bureau, crisis intervention team training and workshops for law enforcement, Ending the Silence for youth, and general help and information.

    In September, NAMI National will release its first book, called, “You Are Not Alone” (zandoprojects.com/books/). The book is the “NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health — With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families… resource for individuals and families seeking expert guidance on diagnosis, treatment and recovery, featuring true stories from real people from across the country — including the Aloha State.”

    On Dec. 10, attend NAMI Hawaii’s You Are Not Alone event. Enjoy a free breakfast with NAMI and hear National Medical Director Dr. Ken Duckworth, discuss the book’s amazing stories.

    NAMI HAWAII (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    5240, 770 Kapiolani Blvd., # 613, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-591-1297 | info@namihawaii.org
    namihawaii.org

    One in five people are affected by mental health conditions each year. Since the pandemic, that number has been on the rise. NAMI Hawaii, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the state organization that supports our community’s mental health and gives them hope.

  • The Benefits of Medicare Advantage

    A recent study concluded that beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (also known as MAPD) spend almost $2,000 less per year on their healthcare costs when compared to those with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D). Maybe the savings are because of the valuable extras that MAPD plans offer their members.

    Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cover everything that Parts A and B cover, but typically, these MAPD plans add numerous benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t offer. These might include vision, hearing and dental coverage as well as discounted chiropractic and acupuncture. Sometimes they offer free transportation, over-the-counter (OTC) products, gym membership and even a complimentary fitness tracker. Some Medicare Advantage plans value healthy activities to the extent that they are willing to reward members with gift cards for completing preventive screenings or exercising. Also, many MAPD plans charge a lower drug deductible than a stand-alone prescription drug plan. The truly surprising part is that these Medicare Advantage plans often have $0 monthly premiums.

    Check with an expert to see if one of these plans might be beneficial to you.

    THE MEDICARE GEEK
    1221 Victoria St., #3103, Honolulu, HI 96814
    808-724-4993 | robin@themedicaregeek.com
    themedicaregeek.com

    A recent study concluded that beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans spend almost $2,000 less per year on their healthcare costs when compared to those with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D).

  • Newborns & Social Security Numbers

    Getting a newborn a Social Security (SS) number is important for his or her future. Feel free to share this time-saving information with prospective parents.

    If the child is born in a hospital, the easiest way to apply for a SS number is right at the hospital. When information for the child’s birth certificate is given at the hospital, parents will also be asked whether they want to apply for a SS number for the child. If the parents say “yes,” they will be asked to provide both of their SS numbers, if possible. Even if the parents don’t know both of their SS numbers, they can still apply for a number for their child.

    There are many reasons why a child should have a SS number. For example, a SS number is needed to claim a child as a dependent on income tax returns. A child may also need a number if parents plan to do the following for the child:

    • Open a bank account.
    • Buy savings bonds.
    • Get medical coverage.
    • Apply for government services.

    Read Social Security Numbers for Children at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf.

    Applying at the hospital will allow parents to focus on the new family member.

    800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) M–F, 8 am–5 pm
    SSA Office Locator: www.socialsecurity.gov
    Advance Designation FAQ: www.ssa.gov/faq (Other Topics)
    Representative Payees Information: blog.ssa.gov

    Getting a newborn a Social Security (SS) number is important for his or her future. Feel free to share this time-saving information with prospective parents. If the child is born in a hospital, the easiest way to apply for a SS number is right at the hospital.

  • Help Protect Our Kūpuna Against Crime

    Every year, Hawai‘i residents are swindled out of money through many forms of crime. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 2.4 billion robocalls made every month. Over 3,500,000 older adults are swindled out of nearly $5 billion in personal savings each year. The average loss is $34,200-plus for every senior who falls victim to a scam. More than $17 million per year are lost to internet crimes (2021) — and cases are expected to rise by 10 percent this year. During the first two years of the pandemic, the US Office of the Inspector General received over 1,500 COVID-related complaints. In addition, Medicare loses $70 billion per year to fraudulent claims.

    Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii aims to mitigate those losses through the help of volunteers who educate and empower kūpuna and their ‘ohana before they become victims of healthcare fraud or another scam.

    You can help protect our kūpuna by becoming a volunteer. You can choose to be a counselor, presenter, information distributor, fair exhibitor or provider of clerical support. Training is available and volunteers learn at their own pace.

    Gaining satisfaction from helping others without ever leaving home is just one of the benefits of becoming an SMP volunteer. Becoming a volunteer also offers the opportunity to stay informed of latest scams, such as phony government agencies, fake tech support, family or friends imposters, online shopping gimmicks,  romance scam artists… the list goes on. Volunteers can also sharpen their computer skills to become a tech savvy senior, and learn about Medicare and community resources while having fun and making new friends who also have an interest in championing a worthy cause.

    SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL (SMP) HAWAII
    Department of Health — Executive Office on Aging
    250 S. Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-586-7281 | Toll Free: 1-800-296-9422
    info@smphawaii.org | smphawaii.org
    This project was supported in part by grant number 90MPPG0053 from the US Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy. *Sources: Star Advertiser, March 27, 2022; Consumer Affairs, Nov. 25, 2021; Comparitech, Jan. 11, 2022

    Every year, Hawai‘i residents are swindled out of money through many forms of crime. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 2.4 billion robocalls made every month. Over 3,500,000 older adults are swindled out of nearly $5 billion in personal savings each year. The average loss is $34,200-plus for every senior who falls victim to a…

  • Credit Unions: People Helping People

    Those same members collectively own and control their credit unions. Every member gets an equal vote on the election of board of directors at their credit union,  Regardless of their deposits. Like banks, credit unions operate for the benefit of their shareholders. But unlike banks, a credit union’s shareholders are the members and vice versa — they’re both members and owners.

    Credit unions aren’t a new idea. The first one popped up in Germany in the late 1800s. The first American credit union opened in 1909. In 1934, the Federal Credit Union Act was signed into law, authorizing credit unions in every state. To this day, Oct. 20 is celebrated as International Credit Union Day. But despite the worldwide appeal, credit unions are decidedly local institutions.

    Most credit unions operate in a specific geographic area and that’s the same source for their members. For example, Gather Federal Credit Union operates branches across Kaua‘i. It offers membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or operates a business on Kaua‘i or Ni‘ihau. Members’ immediate families are all eligible as well. In that sense, credit unions work to strengthen communities by helping to build financial security for all members.

    Credit unions are nonprofit organizations and members benefit from similar protections as banks. Credit unions generally offer products and services similar to what banks offer, as well, including checking and savings accounts, loans, ATMs, debit and credit cards, IRA shares and certificates, money transfers and online banking. Some credit unions may also offer financial planning and counseling services. Members’ credit union accounts are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration up to $250,000. Members also typically benefit from lower fees, competitive loan rates, higher dividend rates on deposit accounts and a more personal approach to member service.

    There’s lots more to learn about credit unions. A great place to start is at www.MyCreditUnion.gov.

    But, more than anything, the most important thing to remember about credit unions is their shared philosophy: “People Helping People.”

    GATHER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
    Kukui Grove, Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a, Kōloa, ‘Ele‘ele, Waimea
    808-245-6791 | info@gatherfcu.org
    www.gatherfcu.org

    There’s an old saying about money that sums up why credit unions have flourished: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Credit unions are unique in the world of finance, and for lots of people, that’s exactly why they choose to become members.