New York State Assembly, Albany, New York 12248 |
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A message from | |
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef |
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Senior Forum 2003 |
e-mail: galefs@assembly.state.ny.us | SPRING 2003 |
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SENIOR FORUM 2003
presented by
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2003
Topics: |
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Speakers at Senior Forum (May 15th)
Laura Bolotsky
Sheila McCullagh
Gary Brown
Arthritis Center, |
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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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*Click here for printable view.* Please fill this out, send to me so that I can better understand your priorities, needs, issues. 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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Print form. Fill in your name and address. Stamp. Mail page back to me at: |
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