New York State Assembly, Albany, New York 12248

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef A message from
Assemblywoman
Sandy
Galef
Senior Forum 2003
e-mail: galefs@assembly.state.ny.us SPRING 2003





Dear Constituent:

As we all read and know first-hand, there is a real growth in the senior citizen population as a result of good medical care and better lifestyles. In turn, there is an increase in senior services offered in Putnam and Westchester Counties by government and private, non-profit advocacy groups. You may want to keep this newsletter as a handy reference guide of useful phone numbers, web sites, and information. Of course, you can always contact me at 914-941-1111 for help.

You are all invited to my annual Senior Forum on Thursday, May 15th in Cortlandt Manor. It is a great way to meet, discuss issues, exchange ideas. In addition to our speakers who will focus on health care issues, we will have a representative from the office of State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer to tell us about specific scams targeting senior citizens. We must become aware and educated on ways to protect ourselves against these unscrupulous practices.

The Hudson Valley Hospital Center will provide a wonderful continental breakfast in our meeting room, the Council Chambers, Cortlandt Town Hall, 1 Heady Street (off Oregon Road), Cortlandt Manor. I look forward to an interesting and informative event. See you then.

Sincerely,
signature
Sandy Galef
Member of the Assembly


SENIOR
FORUM 2003

presented by
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef
and
Hudson Valley Hospital Center

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2003
9:00A.M. - 12 NOON
CORTLANDT TOWN HALL

1 Heady Street (off Oregon Rd.)
Cortlandt Manor

Topics:

Medicare Health Plan Changes

Prescription Drugs

Evaluating Nursing Homes

Senior Health Care Rights

Arthritis Center

Hudson Valley Hospital Center

Senior Scams

Co-sponsors:
AARP Cold Spring Chapter 4709, Buchanan Seniors, Cortlandt Seniors, Croton Seniors, Nor-Cort Seniors, Ossining Outreach, Ossining Seniors, Peekskill Seniors, Putnam County Office for the Aging, Putnam Valley Seniors.
Continental breakfast
by Hudson Valley
Hospital Center.
No reservations needed.
Details, directions
call Sandy Galef at
914-941-1111.

Speakers at Senior Forum (May 15th)

Laura Bolotsky
Director of Operations, Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, will discuss the proposed changes to Medicare, prescription drug inclusion in Medicare, Medicaid costs, proposed state cuts for at home care and more.

Sheila McCullagh
RN, Director, Consumer Protection & Outreach, IPRO, will discuss how to evaluate quality in nursing homes, preventive services for diabetes and asthma, what to look for in evaluating home health care, and how to appeal for your rights and benefits.

Gary Brown
Assistant Attorney General, Westchester Regional Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. The Assistant Attorney General will focus on scams that target the senior population, such as misleading claims by some health care discount cards.

Arthritis Center,
Hudson Valley Hospital Center

A representative will discuss the new facility. The Arthritis Center is headed by Dr. Arthur Rand, M.D., a board certified rheumatologist. Programs include an arthritis support group, a self-help course, PACE (an arthritis exercise plan), and support for osteo-arthritis. Call 914-739-5756.


photo Sandy at the Kent Free Library discussing issues with her constituents during one of a series of "Town Meetings" held throughout her 90th Assembly District.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR SENIORS

IPRO

One of our May 15th Senior Forum speakers is from this non-profit corporation that is dedicated to assessing and improving the quality of health care to Medicare and Medicaid recipients. To subscribe to the free IPRO Health Care Newsletter for Seniors, call 516-326-7767.

Medicare Website And 800 Number

To learn about rights and benefits, log onto the federal government’s Medicare website www.medicare.gov. You can also evaluate the quality of a nursing home by going to the site and clicking on Nursing Home Compare. If you don’t have access to the website call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Medicare Rights Center

The non-profit, advocacy group deals with New York State specific information on Medicare. For help with your rights and benefits, call 1-800-333-4114. Online at www.medicarerights.org. Also log onto website for free subscription to publications and periodicals that deal with appealing denials, saving money, health advice.

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

EPIC provides savings to all state residents 65 or older with an income of $35,000 or less if single or $50,000 or less if married. (Full Medicaid recipients not eligible.) Almost all prescription drugs including insulin and insulin syringes are covered. Brand name and generic drugs included. To apply and for details call 1-800-332-3742, or write EPIC, PO Box 15018, Albany, NY 12212-5018, or visit www.health.ny.state.us.

Health Care Consumer Rights

The Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau protects, and advocates for, the rights of all health care consumers statewide. To obtain direct assistance in resolving disputes with your health plan or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Health Care Helpline at 1-800-771-7755 option 3.

HMO Consumer Rights

For problems with your HMO, call these state hotlines: The Department of Health, Consumer Information 1-800-206-8125. The Department of Insurance, Consumer Services Bureau 1-800-342-3736.

External Review Hotline

External review empowers consumers to effectively challenge health care decisions. If you’ve been denied health insurance benefits dealing with reasons of medical necessity, call the Insurance Department’s external review hotline 1-800-400-8882.

To Get Health Insurance

For information on obtaining insurance coverage in New York State call 1-866-432-5849 or go to www.ins.state.ny.us/heathyny.htm. For information about Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus, New York’s health insurance programs for eligible families, go to www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/fhplus/index.htm or call the Department of Social Services.

New York State Long-Term Health Insurance

The program is an innovative partnership between the public and private sectors designed to help people afford costly nursing home bills. Residents can make tax modifications for premiums paid for certain long-term care insurance policies. For more information call the New York State Insurance Department’s Partnership for Long Term Care consumer hotline 1-888-697-7582.

School Tax Relief Exemption (STAR)

All residents in New York State benefit by exemptions from school property taxes for owner occupied primary residences. Enhanced STAR is for seniors 65 or older with incomes less than $62,100. Basic STAR is for all residents no matter what age or income. For information and an application contact your local tax assessor’s office.

Do Not Call Telemarketing Registry

For protection from unwanted telemarketing sales calls, enroll in the free registry administered by the state Consumer Protection Board by calling 1-866-622-5569 or on the Internet at www.consumer.state.ny.us. If registered and still getting calls, call Consumer Helpline 1-800-697-1220 or go to www.consumer.state.ny.us.

Senior Services in Putnam and Westchester Counties

In Putnam County, seniors can find out about programs such as adult day care, rides to medical appointments, non-medical home care, financial relief from utility bills, medical benefit advice, health insurance counseling, home delivered meals, and more by calling 845-225-1034 ext. 100.

In Westchester County, call Family Services of Westchester at 914-948-8004.

Health Care Proxy Law

This law lets you designate a health care agent to make decisions for you if a serious illness or accident leaves you unable to communicate. For a brochure about the proxy law call my office at 914-941-1111.

Senior Citizens Hotline

A general information and referral number for seniors that will direct you to the appropriate place. Call this state hotline at 1-800-342-9871.

United Way’s Helpline

To learn about senior and other services available in Westchester call 914-949-4636. In Putnam call 845-278-9400.

 

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Please fill this out, send to me so that I can better understand your priorities, needs, issues.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef Dear Sandy:

What really concerns me about our State is:
























Please add this to your agenda to change our State and make it better.

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Assemblyman Sandy Galef
2 Church St.
Ossining, NY 10562-4802


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