AARP's commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to the life and vision of our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Dr. Andrus with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, our most prestigious and visible volunteer award. The 2007 Andrus Award for Community Service recognized 53 unique individuals, one, (sometimes two) from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, who have demonstrated the power to make it better in their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP's mission, vision and commitment to volunteer service, and that inspire other to volunteer. Like Dr. Andrus, these winners have a desire to bring ideas and dreams to life. Their work and achievements have positive impact on the lives of many.

Use this form to nominate your candidate for the 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.

The Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF) recently announced changes in its health care coverage for retirees.  These changes are causing confusion for many individuals who have retired from employment with the State of Pennsylvania and receive their health care through the Medicare program with supplemental coverage from the PEBTF.

AARP Pennsylvania is providing the following information about these changes in the hopes it will help to make them more understandable.

PEBTF has decided that the primary form of health coverage for state retirees will be a Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan offered by Advantra Freedom.  Retirees will also have the option of enrolling in another Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan, a Medicare HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or a Medicare PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). 

Many people are confused about Medicare Advantage plans.  It is important to note that coverage under any Medicare Advantage plan means that retirees are still enrolled in Medicare.  Many employers are now choosing Medicare Advantage plans for their retirees because it saves the employer money.  In the past, retirees were most often covered by “traditional” Medicare and a Medicare supplemental plan.  A Medicare Advantage plan combines the coverage under “traditional” Medicare and a Medicare supplemental plan.  Employers save money by covering their retirees under a Medicare Advantage plan because the federal government pays for a higher percentage of the total coverage under the combined plan.

In most cases a retiree will see little change in their health insurance under a Medicare Advantage plan, but it is important to check the details of the plans you are considering.  The biggest concern is that some physicians or hospitals may not initially accept coverage under a Medicare Advantage plan.  It should be emphasized that the vast majority of physicians and hospitals will accept this coverage, but retirees should check to be sure the first time they visit a physician or hospital after this change.  A Medicare fee-for-service plan does not have a “network” of physicians and hospitals.  Instead, physicians and hospitals must accept the payment schedule that the fee-for-service insurance company offers.  Pennsylvania officials claim the Advantra Freedom plan offers the same payment schedule that “traditional” Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance does, so physicians and hospitals are likely to accept coverage once they learn the details about Advantra Freedom.

Retirees should also investigate the other options for health coverage, which include other Medicare private fee-for-service plans, Medicare HMOs, and Medicare PPOs.  Different plans will have different deductibles, and may cover additional services.  If retirees do not make a choice of plans by March 22, they will automatically be enrolled in the Advantra Freedom plan.  PEBTF will continue to offer seminars  about the upcoming change.  Local Area Agencies on Aging also have health insurance counselors available through their APPRISE program to discuss insurance options.  APPRISE is available weekdays from 9a-4p, call 1-800-783-7067.

House Bill 1830 - Family Caregiving Bill

More caregivers would be eligible for greater financial relief under legislation (HB 1830) now before the state Senate.

The bill, which AARP PA supports, would expand home care reimbursements under the state’s Family Caregiver Support Program and would allow nonfamily caregivers to receive such aid.  The legislation, passed by the House of Representatives in October, would raise the monthly allowance for out-of-pocket expenses from $200 to $500 and increase one-time grants for home modifications or assistive devices from $2,000 to $6,000.

Nearly one in four U.S. households is involved in caring for a friend or family member age 50-plus. 

Eligibility for Family Caregiver is determined on a sliding scale and is based on income.  Information can be obtained from your local AREA AGENCY ON AGING or by contacting:

Division of Managed Care
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
555 Walnut St., 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919
(717) 783-6213

It’s Your Money!

From sweepstakes and lottery scams to identity theft and investment fraud, the con artists always manage to stay just a step ahead of us.  We even have to be careful when we go shopping because of marketplace deceptions and a lack of consumer protection.  We cannot trust what we hear from someone trying to get his hand in our wallet or bank account.  Consumers must be proactive, protecting our hard-earned money by being aware and informed about real world situations.

Schedule a free AARP educational presentation filled with tips and practical information for your community group! Send your request to Karen Seeber at kseeber@aarp.org or call toll-free 1-866-389-5654.