May is Older Americans Month and a good time to talk about issues affecting older adults, including the focus of Older Americans Month and changes coming soon to New York state’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage, or EPIC. If you or someone you know has EPIC, please take a moment to read the information covered later in this column.

Every year, the Administration on Aging, or AOA, and the New York State Office for the Aging, or NYSOFA, choose themes on which information is provided to raise public awareness during Older Americans month. For 2007, AOA has chosen "Making Choices for a Healthier Future." The purpose of the theme is to encourage all of us to think differently about health and long-term care, and to work together to rebalance and modernize our systems, so that we may adequately plan for and address the needs of current and future generations.

The suggested way to accomplish this includes:

Streamlined access to information as well as to home- and community-based services, including information that will enable people to plan ahead for long-term care.

You may remember a column several months ago where I shared with you a new initiative of NYSOFA and the state Department of Health called "NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care." The Otsego County’s Placement Coordinators Office has become NY Connects of Otsego County. This office in conjunction with the Office for the Aging has and will continue to provide such services. In the coming months you will be hearing more about NY Connects, not only in Otsego County, but all counties in New York state.

Information about cost-effective prevention practices and activities that will improve health and quality of life and reduce risk of disease, disability and injury.

In 2005, Medicare began providing greater coverage for preventative screenings. New Yorkers and others across the nation are not taking full advantage of these benefits. On Senior Citizen’s Day in Albany, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and NYSOFA announced an initiative to encourage all New York Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of preventative screenings. They are preparing to issue priceless checks to you. These checks contain all the information about what is covered, the purpose of the screen and suggested frequency. The cost to you varies based on the type of Medicare plan and any supplemental plan you may have.

Besides preventative screenings, there are many other things we can and should do to keep living healthy, active lives. If you don’t subscribe to our newsletter, give us a call at 547-4232 or 432-9041. Every issue has information about good nutrition and we frequently have articles about other health and wellness activities. By calling, you can also get additional information about our strength- and balanced-based exercise programs held at eight locations throughout the county. This program is proven to prevent or reduce the effects of osteoporosis and with improved balance reduce the risk of falls.

Innovative, affordable and flexible options of care and support that will provide an array of choices about how and where to live.

This is an area where we need some work. We do have a beautiful new, innovative county nursing facility, Chase Nursing home has announced plans to build an even more innovative facility based on the Green House concept, we have St. James’ Manor and Robynwood Assisted Living as well as the soon-to-be-built The Plains at Parrish Homestead. These places aren’t for everyone, though. Some are a higher level of care than many need or choose, and others are more expensive than many can afford. We need to work to develop affordable, accessible housing that is located near transportation, services and community supports.

New York state selected "Volunteers Make it Happen, helping friends and neighbors remain in their homes and communities" for the focus of this year’s Older Americans Month activities. Individuals from across the state were honored as representatives of the many who help their friends and neighbors with the little and sometimes big things in life that allow us to continue to live in our homes and communities. Picking up prescriptions, grocery shopping, a ride to the doctor’s or hairdresser, someone to call if a ceiling light bulb needs replaced or a fuse or circuit breaker has tripped _ these are all invaluable services for many older people that can be very difficult to accomplish without that good neighbor. We thank all of you who do look out for your elderly friends and neighbors and encourage others to do the same.

EPIC _

Changes are coming July 1

EPIC enrollees (see exceptions below) will be required to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) effective July 1. EPIC will help pay for the costs of these plans and will enroll EPIC participants in a plan or seniors may choose their own plan.

How will EPIC help pay for these plans?

If you are in the EPIC fee plan, EPIC will pay up to $24.45 per month in 2007 for your Part D premium

If you are in the EPIC deductible plan, you will receive a credit of $24.45 per month toward your deductible.

EPIC will also help those who appear to be eligible for Extra Help or other benefits to access that assistance.

What are the exceptions?

If you are in the Deductible EPIC Plan and did not meet your deductible in 2006 or so far in 2007, you are not required to join a Part D Plan.

If it will hurt your coverage _ such as losing employer or retiree coverage or if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that does not have a cost-effective Part D option, you are not required to join.

Combining EPIC and Part D should save many enrollees money. When Part D is paying for the medication, your cost is based on the EPIC co-pay based on your Part D Plan co-pay. For example, if the medication costs $100 and the Part D co-pay is $25, you will only pay the EPIC co-pay for a $25 medication, or $7. If your Part D plan is not paying, you will pay the EPIC co-pay based on the full cost of the medication.

Office for the Aging staff are available to help you understand how these changes will affect you. If you have questions about EPIC or other concerns, Otsego County residents may call 547-4232 or 432-9041 for assistance.

Frances Wright is director of the Otsego County Office for the Aging.