Volume 5 Issue 3 “Education, Fellowship, Resources & Support” December 2005 – January 2006

Disclaimer

The San Antonio Polio Survivors’ Association Newsletter, THE PHOENIX, is intended to share, with our readers, information of interest to them, including medical opinion of others. It is not intended to offer specific advice or as a substitute for professional health care. Opinions, products, or services mentioned, herein, are not necessarily endorsed by the San Antonio Polio Survivors’ Association or the Warm Springs Resourcenter for People with Disabilities or Warm Springs Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.; 5101 Medical Drive; San Antonio, Texas 78229-4801

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The following article is from www.azstarnet.com by the Arizona Daily Star and was published the 18th of October. The article presents some interesting insights into the Medicare medicine coverage as it pertains to seniors. Think you’ll be interested in them. If you have questions you can either contact the authors of the two articles or www.medicare.gov or www.eldercare.gov. or phone 1-800-MEDICARE.

Mind the Gap: How to Fill the Medicare Donut Hole

Written by:

Eric Sabo -

As seniors begin to sort through the hundreds of private insurance plans now offered for Medicare, there is one number that stands out from the fine print: $3,600. This is the surprise medical bill that could greet many enrollees, unless they are careful to choose the right plan.

Set to take affect next year, the latest government benefits are far more generous in paying for needed medications. Yet the new Medicare rules can also saddle older Americans with rather hefty co-payments, which is why some insurance companies may be better than others when out-of-pocket costs are a concern, experts say.

"For someone who is not counting on $3,600 in expenses, it's a big deal," says Deane Beebe of the Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy group in New York.
Seniors can scrutinize the various insurance offerings on the government Web site, www.medicare.gov. A new search tool that will allow people to comparison shop has just been unveiled. Although the deadline for choosing a prescription drug plan is not until May 15th, 2006, you need to decide between November 15th and December 31st to get the new Medicare coverage by the first of the year.

In considering the different policies, experts suggest that you check whether your new insurance covers the amount that government will not. The initial out-of-pocket expense is relatively painless. Medicare does not fund the first $250 spent on prescription drugs, but some insurance companies will pay for these costs, while charging only slightly higher monthly premiums.

The Big Expense

Far harder to get around is the big chunk of cash needed in the middle. This gap in coverage, nicknamed the donut hole, kicks in if you run through more than $2,250 worth of prescription drugs in a year. Once your medication needs reach $5,100 and above, Medicare starts to pick up 95 percent of the tab.
In between, it's up to you or your insurance company to pay for this $3,100 donut hole. The hardest hit will be patients with chronic diseases who rely on expensive new treatments. But as drug prices continue to rise, Beebe says that it will not take much for others to rack up such a tab. "The donut hole is only going to get bigger," she says.

A study by the Commonwealth Fund found that 38 percent of Medicare enrollees are likely to experience this costly interruption in care. Moreover, the benefits must be renewed each year, meaning that the coverage gap repeats itself if you reach the donut hole again. Over the next three years, researchers estimate that the average Medicare recipient will be paying about 44 percent of all drug costs out of their own pocket.

"Even while they're in this donut hole, they will still be paying monthly premiums for insurance," adds Beebe.

Hard Choices

Various companies offer coverage to make up for this gap, often for an extra cost. The average monthly premium is $37 a month, but some of the plans that pay for drugs during the donut hole charge several times as much. In some states, the extra coverage is not an option.

For local plans that do cover the donut hole, Beebe says that it's important to check if these plans cover the treatments you need during the gap. Some only cover generic drugs, which will not help for conditions where a specific therapy is needed. And for those who want to go to Canada for cheaper drugs, beware: buying treatments from a foreign country will not count toward the $5,100 needed to reach additional Medicare coverage.

The government has announced that they will offer financial assistance to make up for this gap in those who fall below a certain income. "Everyone in Medicare, no matter what their income or how they get their health care, can chose coverage that reflects what they want," said Mark McClellan of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

But Beebe worries that many seniors will have to make more difficult choices than finding the right insurance company. For those who are ill and likely to need the most prescription drug coverage, the Commonwealth study suggested that high spenders will have to pay as much as two-thirds of their own drug costs.

As concerns about the budget deficit grow, Beebe says that people who can barely pay for treatment now face an uncertain future.
"For those on a low income, the choice will be between food and medicine," says Beebe.

© 2005 Healthology, Inc. Published October 18, 2005
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From: "Gary Burroughs"
To: "Michael Beard"
CC: "TPSA"
Subject: TPSA: for distribution
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:12:06 -0600

TPSA, Inc.
P.O. Box 41325
Houston, Texas 77241-1325

713-690-0695 Fax 713-690-0696
Physical office address 6701 Pinemont, Suite 209 Houston, Texas 77092
Our office has moved, but P.O. Box is the same. Our old office was broken into and we lost some names, address, etc.(our computer was attacked.) While we were moving, our storage was broken into and we don't know what was lost there.

We are blitzing Texas for TPSA and polio survivors. If you haven't heard from us, please feel free to contact us via telephone, fax or email tpsa@flash.net

Sincerely,
Gary--Treasurer TPSA

I was asked by Michael Beard to include the above notification in the Newsletter in addition to sending it out to the members who have e-mail addresses. We are considered to be semi-associate members of the Texas Polio Survivors Association (TPSA).

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The following article was sent via e-mail and is a little bit tongue in cheek and thought you might enjoy this little bit of “humor”.

Subject: Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday

It is with the saddest heart that I must pass on the following news:
Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of Celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.

The grave site was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he was still a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes. If this made you smile for even a brief second, please take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else that kneads it.
_________________________________________________________________

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze™
October 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

Veterans Benefits

I recently was privileged to accompany a new client as he made "pre-arrangements" with a local funeral home. His wife passed away this year and he is in the process of putting his own affairs in order. Prior to her passing neither of them had made any provisions for disability or death, and he has seen first hand the benefit of planning ahead.

This wonderful gentleman served with pride in two wars, World War II and in Korea. Although he's quiet about it, he would really like to have a simple military funeral.

But, there's a but...isn't there always a "but."

His wife always took care of the paperwork. After her death he had lots of help from family, who helped him clean out his home and move to an assisted living residence. Somewhere, somehow, his military records went missing.

He needs to give a copy of his official discharge (his DD-214) to the funeral home so they can arrange the final ceremony he wants.

Luckily, he's in relatively good health and there was time to get the document. Time isn't always a luxury we have.

I went to the military archives on the web, followed the instructions, and in just about a month he had the form he needed. (Of course, the minute it arrived I immediately ran it down to the office to make multiple copies.)

If your elder served in the military there are benefits available. In order to access benefits, just about the first thing a veteran will need is the DD-214. Finding it is the tricky part. As soon as you get the chance, ask your elder where his or her military discharge papers are. If the answer is a blank look, see if he remembers his service number. It's amazing how that number has stuck in the memory of most who served.

Then go ahead and request an official copy. Immediate family members (spouse or children) can request one with minimal hassle. It will probably be easier in the long run to get a replacement than to find the original if you got that blank look.

And, don't forget the women in your family. A whole lot of women served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam (not to mention the Gulf). They are entitled to benefits, too.

A 6-year old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he said, ''She lives at the airport and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit we take her back to the airport."

It's Medicare Part D (Again)

Yes, I promised that I would try to stay away from the new Medicare programs in this newsletter, but there is a new development, and it's imperative that we get the word out.

A booklet called "Medicare and You" was recently sent to everyone on Medicare. It supposedly covers what you need to know to make a decision about selecting a prescription drug plan under the new Medicare Part D plan.

The problem is, the booklets were sent out with a major error.

Eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries are being offered assistance with paying the Medicare Part D premium. For those who are eligible, the government will pay a basic premium to cover the cost of a Part D prescription drug plan.

The problem with the booklet, which the government attributes to a misprint, begins on page 97-a. That's where highlights of the various plans are listed: what they cost per month, the co-pay and the yearly deductible.

The error is in the last column of the comparison chart. Many of the "yes" answers should actually say "no," meaning the government does *not* pay for the extra prescription coverage above the basic plan.

If you select a plan that costs more than the basic plan, and you are receiving what is being termed "extra help" with paying the Part D premium, you will have to pay the balance of the premium yourself.

If your elder is in the low-income program and she chooses a plan because of the information in the Medicare & You 2006 Handbook there is a strong possibility that she could find herself with an unexpected bill. And she won't be protected because it was "in the book." There's a disclaimer on the second page that reads: "Medicare and You 2006 explains the Medicare program. It isn't a legal document. The official Medicare Program provisions are contained in the relevant laws, regulations and rulings."

In other words, just because the government printed the information, you can't rely on it to be correct.

This program is so unbelievably complicated. You will probably have to get involved to help any elder who isn't extremely competent and computer-savvy. You will have to talk to the carriers individually to be sure you understand the coverage and what it will really cost.

There's a telephone number to speak with a Medicare representative: 1-800-633-4227. However, I have very little faith that the information you get from this telephone number will be any more reliable than what you get when you call the IRS hotline.

Elder CareTip
The television remote controls that come with new televisions are so complicated I'm terrified of hitting the wrong button. All kinds of strange things happen when I do and there's a devil of a time getting back to the regular screen. Imagine how your elder feels.
Why should changing the channel be terrifying?

If you don't have a simple control box...on, off, louder & softer (order a big universal control as a gift - they're great if you can find one that works on your machine)...paint or nail polish to the rescue.

You can get all kinds of strange nail polish colors where teens shop - Target, WalMart and such. Put a dab of red on the power button. Use other colors for louder/softer/channel up & down. Keep the bottles as the polish will eventually wear off.

For elders who can see the little buttons this does help a lot.

It's flu shot time again. If you want to know where
to go to get yours, check the flu clinic locator.

The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you'll
Grow out of it.
Doris Day

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips™. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

POST-POLIO-MED@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU

Polio: A Virus' Struggle
By James Weldon

The Science Creative Quarterly

A graphic cartoon novelette with an anthropomorphic polio virus
telling its story in a "group therapy session".

pdf file (14pages, ~2.7Mb)

http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/quarterly/?p=45 (you’ll have to type this http:// out yourself.)

Please look this web site up. I think that you’ll find it interesting. If you don’t have pdf all you have to do is to download it free by going to their web site www.AcrobatAdobe.com and down loading the reader (Adobe reader.

There are two more sites that might be of interest regarding the Medicare D Discount Card information. Albeit some of both the sites are, a little confusing at times it’s either that are my memory and mind is going a little faster than I thought. [:>) . The sites are http://www.medicare.gov/ or www.eldercare.gov. There are two booklets –one is called “Guide to choosing Medicare Covered Drug Discount Card” 11602 and the one from www.eldercare.gov.(They took this site off the net as soon as I read the booklet) .

If you're at this point in your life, you can relate...if you're not...check out what you have to look forward to!!!

Copied from an e-mai sent by a member & thought you would enjoy!

Twinkies and Root Beer


A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~

MERRY CHRISTMAS, KWANZA, HANAKA, AND ALL OTHER SPIRTIUAL BELIEFS

BEST WISHES AND A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

The following is a farewell to our group from Michael Spell who past away on November 10th. We do express our sorrow to Marilyn, his wife, at his loss as well as his family and friends. We rarely saw him due to his illness but he was still our fellow member and we do know that his passing does send him to a better place where there is not any pain or illness. We wish him Bon Voyage on his last trip.

(I am copying his last communiqués to all of his friends, including us, which was written very lovingly by his Mother.)

Michael Spell had Polio most of his life and from the farewell below you can see that he had lived a very full life, particularly, with Marilyn his wife.
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 7:19 PM

Subject: Farewell

Dear Friends,
I have known each of you in different degrees of friendship but I love each and every one of you for who you are to me and the times of joy or laughter we have shared.
Please accept my apologies for the grouping of email addresses but time restricts addressing each one of you at this time.
As you know I have been restricted to a bed or wheelchair all but 7 months of my life but if a book were written all would be amazed at the experiences and adventures I have enjoyed. Also some of the close calls and challenges. But God had put a desire in my heart to live my life to the fullest.
At times I tried (as most of us do) to go my own way but in the midst of heart failure and facing death I turned to God again and was spared to live out my destiny. Sent to San Antonio (I needed a ventilator now) for care I met an angel who was my nurse and became my wife three years later.
Marilyn and I will be married 8 years on November 16 (her birthday). She has made the past 11 years of my life the most fulfilling, joyous and incredible I could ever imagine. Together we could do anything. We cooked together, built "stuff" together, went to Canada on a Dart, Chicago, and even attended college. We prayed together and saw my nephew return from Iraq unharmed.
You all have been my friends and I pray you all have as good a life as I have enjoyed. Please keep my lovely wife in your prayers as she is about to embark on a new life. I was in the hospital after about two months of gradual weakening and a breathing crisis. She was by my side and took care of me for the month I was there. I was feeling better, eating and gaining back some of the weight I had lost when I was ill. My mom came down from Dallas and we had a pre-birthday visit. Mine was the 7th and hers the 8th. On my birthday friends brought balloons and the female nurses came in and sang "Happy Birthday". My wife bought me another "Boy Toy", a portable DVD player and we watched "Batman Begins" in the hospital.
After being on a ventilator for 11 years I decided to go to Dallas and attend college (with my wife) to be a Respiratory Therapist. We were excited about the move and the future.
Finding it difficult to breathe I asked Marilyn to check the machines and see what was going on. When she went to the nurses desk it was the last time I would see her (this side of Heaven). They tried to bring me back but were unsuccessful. T.O.D. 4:15pm. I will always be with you, my Angel, in spirit.
But don't feel bad for me. I will be where my brother, Uncle, Grandmas and Grandpa are waiting to see me and with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where there is no sorrow, tears nor crippled limbs. I told my pastor, Mike Hayes, that I was "spiritually homesick" just last week. Well, God took me home and if Jesus is your Saviour I will meet you there.
Thank you for your friendship, God bless you and Fairwell My Friends".
Mike
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael Beard’s Mother also passed away in November prior to Thanksgiving. Our condolences go to you and your family also, Mike.