Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is Happening Now- Don't Miss It!
Until December 7, you can enroll in health and drug plans for 2020. Use these 5 quick tips to be prepared for Medicare’s Open Enrollment.
Check your mail. You may get important notices from your current plan, Medicare, or Social Security about changes to your coverage or any extra Help you may get paying for prescription drugs. You’ll also get brochures from companies that offer Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Just remember — plans aren’t allowed to call or come to your home without an invitation from you.
Review your new “Medicare & You” handbook. It has information about Medicare coverage, as well as Medicare plans in your area. If you’re still getting your handbook by mail, you can opt to go paperless for next fall and download an electronic copy.
Review your current coverage. Plans change and your needs change. Carefully review any materials and changes in costs or coverage that will happen in 2020, and decide if your current Medicare coverage will meet your needs for the year ahead.
Preview 2020 health & prescription drug plans online. Our new and improved Medicare Plan Finder makes it easier than ever to compare coverage options and shop for plans. For a personalized search, log in or create an account (if you have a Medicare Number) to create or access a list of your drugs, compare your current plan to others, and see prices based on any help you get with drug costs.
Get personalized help in your community. You may find a free local event nearby, with health insurance counselors to help you, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
_____________________
House Unanimously Passes OAA Reauthorization
On Oct. 28, the House passed the Dignity in Aging Act of 2019, which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA) for five years. Some minor changes were made to the bill and received bipartisan support in Committee, but the content still largely reflects the desired priorities. Learn more about the changes to the Act, when the Senate will take action and when Congress might negotiate a final bill by visiting the National Council on Aging's Public Policy page.
_____________________
 Automated system still open to schedule appointments in advance
Income-eligible residents who do not meet the requirements for pre-registration may still apply for LIHEAP benefits beginning Nov. 4. Appointments will be taken in advance starting Nov. 1 utilizing the phone and on-line appointment system.
Applicants must provide the following documentation:
- Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, etc. or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the Resilience and Community Services office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 as well as the six LIHEAP locations listed below or by clicking here.
- Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
- Most current heating bill; or statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent; or statement from your utility company if you participate in a pre-pay electric program.
Scheduling an appointment by phone:
Call 502-991-8391
- Choose the desired location for your appointment (the six LIHEAP office locations are listed below.)
- Choose a date/time for your appointment
- Record your name – say and spell your first and last names slowly and clearly
- Enter a contact phone number
- Enter your 12-digit LGE account number (if applicable)
- Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number and date of birth
- Receive your appointment confirmation number (have pen/paper ready)
- Appointment details (location, date and time) will be repeated
- List of documents to bring to the appointment will be given
The caller can follow the prompts to get the information needed and/or to schedule an appointment if available. The system provides a confirmation number indicating that an appointment was successfully scheduled.
Scheduling an Appointment On-line:
Appointments can also be made quickly and easily online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.
LIHEAP applications will be completed at the time of the appointment at one of the six locations listed below.
- Neighborhood Place Ujima/Duvalle Education Center, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
- Neighborhood Place/Bridges of Hope, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
- Northwest Neighborhood Place/Academy at Shawnee, 4018 W Market St., 40212
- South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
- Newburg Community Center/East, 4810 Exeter Ave, 40218
- Southwest Government Center/Dixie Highway location. 7219 Dixie Highway, 40258
Benefits provided by this program are paid directly to the applicant’s heating vendor. Benefits for this program will not be applied until on or after Nov. 4, 2019.
For more information about this process on how to apply for LIHEAP pre-registration, please contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or 574-5000, email metro.call@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s On Line Customer Service or Live Chat at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro311, tweet @LouMetro311, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website. You can also visit louisvilleky.gov and search for “LIHEAP” or call 502/574-1157 for periodic updates.
Individuals who are unable to apply for this program in person may send a representative on their behalf. Simply provide the representative with the documentation listed above as well as a hand-written note, dated and signed from the applicant, giving them permission to handle their application for services. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 502/780-7937.
LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. For more information about Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services -- visit our website at www.louisvilleky.gov/RCS or call 574-1157 or Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.
_____________________
 _____________________
 Three of the nation’s most prominent disability organizations are banding together in an effort to bring about a million jobs for people with developmental disabilities by 2025.
Autism Speaks, Special Olympics and Best Buddies said this week that they are launching a campaign called Delivering Jobs to encourage employers across the country to hire people with disabilities and to give job seekers the tools needed to prepare for opportunities in the workforce.
The campaign is also aimed at educating the public about low rates of employment among those with developmental disabilities and the need to advocate for inclusion, the groups said.
Backers of the Delivering Jobs campaign cited research showing that employing people with autism and other developmental disabilities leads to better morale and helps companies boost their bottom line.
A study out this week from the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a research firm, and Best Buddies International found that companies are increasingly taking steps to include people with disabilities in their workforce. Nonetheless, the report notes that 81 percent of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities remain unemployed.
“These job candidates and employees can add tremendous value to any workplace, tackling problems with unique perspective and tenacity,” said Angela Geiger, president and CEO of Autism Speaks. “We’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of inclusive employment on businesses of all sizes, and through this campaign, we hope to facilitate and normalize the recruitment and management practices, providing the resources for these workers to thrive.”
The disability groups are asking businesses to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have access to at least 1 percent of their job and leadership opportunities.
The campaign, which is also supported by the Entertainment Industry Foundation — a nonprofit charitable organization of the entertainment industry — launched with a public service announcement that’s appearing online and on digital screens in New York’s Times Square. Created by an inclusive crew, the PSA is designed to highlight what people with disabilities can do in a world where they are offered opportunities.
On the Delivering Jobs website, job seekers can access resources and employers can sign a pledge to create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, increase hiring of this group and ensure that systems are in place for their long-term success.
“The organizations involved in Delivering Jobs have deep expertise preparing people with autism, intellectual and/or developmental differences for success in the workplace. Now is the time for the private sector to do their part,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics. “The next generation to join the workforce is expecting inclusion, and Delivering Jobs is here to help eliminate biases and create pathways to employment for this overlooked population.”
_____________________
|
