Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 6, 2013

11

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, April 6, 2013 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDIGAP SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’ll be 65 in a few months – Medicare enrollment age 
– and am thinking about getting a Medicare supplemental 
policy to help cover things outside of Medicare. 
Can you give me some advice on choosing a 
plan? Shopping Sam

Dear Sam:

If you’re planning to choose original Medicare for 
your health coverage, getting a supplemental policy too (also known as Medigap insurance) is a good 
idea if you can afford it, because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, 
coinsurance and deductibles. Here are some tips and tools to help you choose an appropriate 
plan for you.

Medigap Plans

Medigap policies, which are sold by private health insurers, come in 10 standardized benefit packages 
labeled as the letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. 

Plan F is the most popular, followed by plan C because they provide the most comprehensive coverage. 
Plans M and N, the two newest options, are cost sharing plans that have cheaper premiums which make 
them appealing to healthier retirees who don’t use as much health care.

If, however, you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin you have different standardized Medigap 
plans that you can buy. For more information on the different types of plans, call Medicare at 
800-633-4227 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “Choosing a Medigap Policy” guide (publication 
02110), or see medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/02110.pdf.

How to Choose

To choose a policy, consider your health status and family medical history. The differences among plans 
can be small and rather confusing so you’ll need to do some homework to pick a plan that works best 
for you. 

To help you choose, use the Medigap online search tool at medicare.gov, and click on “Supplements 
& Other Insurance” at the top of the page, then on “How to Compare Medigap Policies.” This tool will 
breakdown what each plan covers along with premium cost ranges, and lists the companies that offer 
them in your area. 

Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover the exact same benefits, you should shop for 
the cheapest policy. 

You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this 
open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of 
your health.

You also need to be aware of the three pricing methods which will affect your costs. Medigap policies 
are usually sold as either “attained-age” policies which are premiums that start low but increase as you 
get older. “Issue-age” policies that increase prices due to inflation, not age. These policies may start out 
a little more expensive than attained-age policies but generally have few rate increases over time. And 
“community-rate” policies, where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age. 
Issue-age and community-rated policies will usually save you money in the long-run.

No Drug Coverage

You also need to know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug 
coverage, you need to consider buying a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. You can compare 
plans and cost at medicare.gov/find-a-plan. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision or dental 
care, hearing aids or long-term care, either.

Alternative Option

Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could 
sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold 
by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs. To find and compare Advantage 
plans visit medicare.gov/find-a-plan. 

If you need help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free 
Medicare counseling. See shiptalk.org, or call 800-677-1116 to locate a counselor in your area. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

 
By Pat Birdsall

FYI - Volunteering: 

 Seniors who volunteer not only help society, but themselves as well. Seniors have a great deal of 
knowledge and experience, and sharing that with younger people is traditional role for seniors in 
society. By volunteering, seniors become more engaged in their world and reap health benefits to 
boot. Until recently, those health benefits have been hard to define or list. Researchers with AARP’s 
Experience Corps, an organization that trains people over 55 to tutor children, learned that seniors 
who volunteered were found to have better mental and physical functioning, along with better self-
esteem and connectivity with other people. Add to those; a lower risk of depression, less decline in 
health due to aging, improvement in memory, and a feeling that overall, life is improving. To find 
out more about the Experience Corps go to: www.experience.com Experience Corps is an excellent 
program, but is by no means the only way to get those benefits. The key ingredients are engaging 
with other people, meeting new people, doing meaningful work and challenging yourself! 

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HELPFUL HINT: Can you reuse pickle juice? Absolutely! Slice some onions thinly, 
throw them in the jar and you’ll love them on salads, sandwiches or hamburgers.

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FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE 

Dear IRS:

Enclosed is my 2005 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached 
article from USA Today, wherein you see that the Pentagon is paying $171.50 for hammers…and 
NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat. I am enclosing four toilet seats (value $2400.00) and six 
hammers (value $1.029.00), bringing my total remitted to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment 
of $22.00 to the “Presidential Election Fund,” as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively 
by sending them one 1.5” Phillips Head screw (article from USA Today detailing how HUD pays 
$22.00 for each 1.5” Philips Head screws is enclosed for your convenience.) It has been a pleasure to 
pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying again next year. 

Sincerely, a Satisfied Tax Payer.

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … April Birthdays 


 Mary Harley, Bette White, Dorothy White, Doris Behrens, Freda Bernard,

Beth Copti, Terri Cummings, Marilyn Diaz, Virginia Elliott, Elma Flores, Julia Gottesman, 
Betty Jo Gregg, Barbara Lampman, Betty Mackie, Elizabeth Rassmusen, Maria Reyes, Anne 
Schryver, Chrisine Bachwansky, Colleen McKernan, Sandy Swanson, Hank Landsberg and to my 
friend, Ken Anhalt, a very special 90th birthday wish to you!

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required.

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Quote of the Week: The art of taxation consists of plucking the goose as to 
get the most feathers with the least hissing. ~ Jean Baptist Colbert

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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House 
(Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: 

Monday-Friday at 12:00 Noon

 (Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

 All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 
for those 60 and over and $3.75 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary as space is 
limited. Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: On the 2nd Tuesday of the month 1:00 am-12:00 pm: A nurse from 
Methodist Hospital, Arcadia volunteers to do the readings. No appointment necessary.

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Cards are only .25c each! 

Free Chair Yoga: Every Wednesday morning from 11:00 am-11:45 am Volunteer Teryl Willis 
offers this class that focuses on senior yoga techniques. It is geared toward gentle movements, 
breathing techniques and balance improvement. No reservations are necessary.

Free Legal Consultation: Pasadena attorney Geoffrey Chin volunteers on the 2nd Wednesday of 
the month. He focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, conservatorships and business 
law. *Appointments are a must! Please call: 626.355.7394 to make yours* Conflicting court 
schedules can occasionally cause cancellations.

Free Income Tax Assistance: Wednesdays through April 10th from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm. Don 
Brunner is available to all seniors for income tax consultation. Appointments are a must- Call 
(626) 355-7394 to make yours.

 

Birthday Celebrations: The 2nd Thursday of the month the Senior Center celebrates the birthdays 
of our patrons at 12:30 pm. Please join us for free cake and ice cream and “celebration.” (The 
cakes are provided due to a generous donation from the Sierra Madre Civic Club.)

Game Day: Every Thursday at 1:00pm. Poker is usually the game of choice, or should I say 
chance? Board games and other card games are also available. Outside, on the patio, a beautiful, 
one-of-a-kind chess table is anxious for players.

 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm Conducted by long-time 
volunteer, Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low-impact resistance training. 
Weights are provided by the Sierra Madre Senior Center. It’s a great way to stay in shape and to

 socialize with your peers. (Gossip included)

Senior Citizens Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House (Senior Center). Brown bag lunch at 
11:30am; Club meeting at Noon; Bingo 12:30- 3:30 pm. Only .25c per card… For more information 
call Pat Birdsall at 626.355.7290.

Lunch & Learn: Wednesday, April 24, 2013- 12:15 – 1:15

Topic: Collecting, Cluttering, Hoarding. The items that gather, as we age, often mean more than 
just the objects alone could to anyone else. These objects represent memories, travels, friends, love 
and more. Join the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) as they provide 
an informative presentation on hoarding. LACDMH staff will distinguish between collecting, 
cluttering and hoarding, and emphasize the need for treatment for those who have a significant 
problem.

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

Palm Springs Follies Palm Springs, California

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Time: 8:30 am-6:00 pm

 Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center

 Cost: $63.00 (does not include lunch)

Upon arrival in Palm Springs participants can shop and lunch at nearby stores and restaurants all 
within walking distance of the theater. The Palm Springs Follies is a Broadway-caliber celebration 
of the music, dance and comedy of the 40s, 50s, and 60s with a cast old enough to have lived it! The 
performance begins at 1:30 pm and is approximately 2 1/2 hours in length. Excursion price includes 
transportation, driver’s tip and a ticket to the Follies. Participants are asked to bring additional 
money for shopping and lunch. Some walking is involved.

Save the Dates!

Friday, May 17, 2013. California Science Center Los Angeles, Ca. 

Friday, June 28, 2013- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Friday, July 12, 2013- Pageant of the Masters (evening excursion)

*Registering for Excursions can be done in person at the Hart Park House Senior Center and the 
Community Recreation Center or online at www.cityofsierramadre.com Cash, checks, and credit 
cards are accepted. Make checks payable “City of Sierra Madre”. Payment must be made at the time 
of reservation.

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Senior Movie Program: FREE movies are shown on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. The 
films, one contemporary and one vintage, are chosen by the seniors themselves. 

April’s selections are:

April 3- Splash (1985) Directed by Ron Howard

A man is reunited with a mermaid who saves him from drowning as a boy and falls in love not 
knowing who or what she is. Starring Tom Hanks & Daryl Hannah- Rated PG Start time: 1:00pm, 
run time: 111 minutes.

April 17- Mildred Pierce (1945)

After her cheating husband leaves her, Mildred Pierce proves she can become independent and 
successful, but can’t win the approval of her spoiled daughter. Starring-Joan Crawford. Not rated. 
Run time is 111minutes.

Start time: 1:00 PM in Sierra Madre’s City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., SM


We’d like to hear from you! 

What’s on YOUR Mind?

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DIGESTIVE DISORDERS AND NATURAL SOLUTIONS

Arcadia Senior Services is holding a health education workshop, “Digestive Disorders and Natural Solutions” 
at the Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 on Monday, April 8 from 1-2pm. 
Attendees will learn about digestion practices of the body and natural treatment methods to take advantage 
of. Dr. Brad Miller is the speaker, and has been practicing Chiropractic care and overall wellness 
for his patients in Arcadia for the past 26 years. For more information or to register, call 626.574.5130.