Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of August 13
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
NEW MEDICARE CARDS ARRIVE IN NEW YORK
For people with Medicare benefits, the familiar Medicare card will soon look different in significant ways. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) started mailing out new Medicare cards throughout New York state in late July, and expects to have finished the nationwide distribution of tens of millions of new Medicare cards by April of 2019.
A new Medicare card will no longer feature the beneficiary’s Social Security number, but rather a unique, randomly assigned Medicare “number” comprised of both numerals and letters. The change is aimed at eliminating what has historically been one of Medicare’s most easily exploited security vulnerabilities. CMS Regional Administrator Ray Hurd says the move protects individuals from identity theft while also eliminating a key vector of Medicare fraud. Hurd says criminals posing as health-care providers will find it much harder to use Social Security numbers to falsely bill Medicare for nonexistent benefits and services. Medicare loses over $60 billion annually to fraud, according to 2014 U.S. Senate testimony by representatives of the National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association.
When you receive your new Medicare card, one obvious question arises: what do you do with the old card?
CMS advises old cards be safely and securely destroyed, and new Medicare numbers be kept confidential and only shared with healthcare providers when required. Medicare providers and suppliers are in the midst of a 21-month transition period that will enable them to use the new Medicare ID numbers, as well as the old Social Security based Medicare IDs. Nationwide distribution of the new cards is expected to be finished in April 2019, and use of the old IDs will be fully phased out at the end of 2019.
You will not need to sign your new Medicare card.
From old card to new, Medicare benefits will remain the same. People with Medicare and their caregivers can go to www.medicare.gov/newcard to find out more.
With one vulnerability no longer available to them, scammers are likely to try targeting you with fraudulent calls and emails. CMS recommends following these tips:
- Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare number or other personal information so you can obtain your new Medicare card. Medicare already has your personal information.
- Don’t pay for your new Medicare card. It’s free. If anyone calls or approaches you and says you need to pay for it, that’s a scam.
- Guard your card. When you get your new card, safeguard it like you would health insurance or credit cards.
- Only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.
You can also follow CMS on Twitter: @CMSgovPress.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone (845) 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
Office for the Aging upcoming events
Unless otherwise indicated, call (845) 486-2555 for more information
Tue 8/14, 11 a.m. – “Reading Nutrition Labels”
With OFA Nutrition Coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Red Hook Senior Friendship Center, 59 Fisk St.
Thu 8/16, 11 a.m. – “Reading Nutrition Labels”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Tri-Town Senior Friendship Center, 55 Overlook Rd., Town of Poughkeepsie
Mon 8/20, 11 a.m. – “Food Safety”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Kings Apartments, 20 Pine Drive, Pawling
Thu 8/23, 11 a.m. – “Reading Nutrition Labels”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
The Landing of Poughkeepsie, 251 Boardman Rd.
Sat 9/22, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – at the Golden Gathering
Arlington High School, 1157 NY 55, LaGrangeville
(845) 229-0106 or email goldengathering41@gmail.com for information
Mon 10/15, 12 noon – 4 p.m. – Office for the Aging Senior Prom
Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappinger
This year’s theme: “The Big Game” – dress as a spectator or participant in your favorite sport or athletic activity. Any other questions? Want a prom entry form? Email bjones@dutchessny.gov.
To request an Office for the Aging presentation for your senior, social and/or civic group, get in touch with outreach coordinator Brian Jones at (845) 486-2555 or bjones@dutchessny.gov. All your group needs to provide is a venue that’s wheelchair-accessible and open to the public, with space to set up a projector and screen. We have our own projector and screen – but if you have those, let us know.
We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, Medicare/Medicaid, scam prevention, senior housing, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!
SPACE STILL AVAILABLE IN FALL “A MATTER OF BALANCE” CLASSES
We’re registering seniors for the fall session of our “A Matter of Balance” classes throughout Dutchess County, brought to you with help from Health Quest.
If you are over 60 and concerned about being injured in a fall, and looking for ways to improve your chances of living independently and happily for as long as possible, then the evidence-based “A Matter of Balance” classes are a must. It’s a once-a-week commitment lasting eight weeks this fall. For more information, call (845) 486-2555 or email ofa@dutchessny.gov.
Space is available in classes in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Wappingers and Rhinebeck.
TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE SENIOR CENTER CLOSED 8/20-9/3
The Town of Poughkeepsie-operated Senior Center at 14 Abe’s Way will be closed from August 20-September 3 for its annual cleaning and refurbishment. For more information about the varied programs at the town senior center, you can see their monthly newsletter at www.PoughkeepsieTownRec.com or pick up a copy at Town Hall.
Other aging news online:
Seniors telling their stories for the record in Red Hook and northern Dutchess: https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/opinion/valley-views/2018/07/31/red-hook-video-project-preserves-history-valley-views/827487002/
A recent story on the relationship between blood pressure and dementia may have oversold the connection: https://www.healthnewsreview.org/review/all-anecdote-no-data-nprs-take-on-high-blood-pressure-and-dementia/
Trying to find your way on social media? Your grandkids and younger relatives can help you with the technical stuff, and you can help them with grammar, spelling and punctuation: https://news.usc.edu/146582/seniors-and-technology-grandparents-facebook-fails-and-opportunities/
This week in senior birthdays:
8/13: World Trade Center tightrope-walker Philippe Petit (69)
8/14: Actor/comedian/writer/musician Steve Martin (73)
8/15: US Supreme Court associate justice Stephen Breyer (80)
8/16: Actress/dancer Julie Newmar (85)
8/17: Actor/director Robert De Niro (75)
8/18: 41st First Lady Rosalynn Carter (91)
8/19: Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson (83)
And a bad joke to wrap it all up:
Q: Why do melons have weddings?
A: Because they cantaloupe!
