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Name: AARP
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Christiansted, Virgin Islands
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Once a year, between November 15th and December 31st, people who are already on Medicare have an opportunity to make changes in how they receive their benefits. If they are on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), they can sign up for Part D coverage or move to a Medicare Advantage plan. They can also change from one Part D prescription drug plan to a different one. If they have a Medicare Advantage plan they can switch to a different plan.
 
There are many reasons why someone might want to change plans. Personal circumstances—such as change in health status or drugs needed—or changes in what’s offered in the plans from year to year are some reasons people switch.
 
“Of course, you don’t have to change if you don’t want to,” explained Denyce Singleton, Senior State Director. “But it is important to make sure you are getting the most out of your Medicare by knowing all your options. You’ll want to find out if another plan might be better for you.”
 
The steps to take are simple:
  • Find the Medicare plans available in the area.
  • Compare the costs, benefits and quality of each plan.
  • Choose the plan that’s best for the individual.
 Medicare Options Compare [http://www.medicare.gov/MPPF/Include/DataSection/Questions/Welcome.asp] shows which health plan choices are available by zip code. The tool also allows comparison of benefits, doctors and drugs and the related costs.
 
“The more you learn about your Medicare choices, the better prepared you will be to make the choice that’s right for you,” said Singleton, “A good place to go to get help is the State Health Insurance Program also known as SHIP.” A SHIP office is located in the Juan Luis Hospital and the Schneider Regional Hospital.  In St. Croix the phone number is 772-7368 and in St. Thomas the number is 714-4254.

 

Added: November 19, 2009
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The success of a diabetic self-management program led by the Virgin Islands Medical Inc. (VIMI) has prompted the Medicare program to expand its efforts to improve diabetes care for medically underserved and disadvantaged populations. The Virgin Islands program is part of the “Every Diabetic Counts” campaign, an initiative to reduce disparities in health care that is sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
 
VIMI, the federally designated Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for the Virgin Islands, has partnered with more than 10 community organizations to bring free, personalized diabetes self-management training to African-American and Latino Medicare beneficiaries in the Virgin Islands since August 2008.   
 
Classes and informational materials teach participants how to best control their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; establish relationships with primary-care providers; address better nutrition, housing and regular exercise; and develop support networks of family, friends, and community-based social services. 
 
“Research shows that people who actively manage their diabetes can reduce the risk of debilitating and costly diabetic complications,” said Dr. Cora Christian, Medical Director at VIMI. “Partnerships with organizations like AARP and the American Red Cross have expanded our ability to reach underserved and disadvantaged beneficiaries. As a result, we’re addressing the disparities in diabetes care we’ve observed between different segments of our Medicare population.”  
 
Other community partners supporting VIMI’s work include: the Virgin Islands Medical Society, HOVENSA LLC, Schneider Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Majorettes, Speak the Word Ministries International, Central, Seventh-day Adventist Church and many individuals who volunteer their time to teach the program.
 
CMS added Mississippi to the “Every Diabetic Counts” campaign earlier this month. Now a total of seven states, including the Virgin Islands are participating in the national program. CMS’s approach takes diabetes education out of traditional health care settings like hospitals and doctors’ offices, and puts it in settings that are more familiar and comfortable.
 
Together with QIOs in New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana the Virgin Islands diabetes program led by the Virgin Islands Medical Institute has reached 2,700 Medicare beneficiaries to date.
 
CMS plans to provide diabetes self-management education to an additional 7,000 Medicare beneficiaries in states participating in the program through the summer of 2011.
 
For more information about the “Every Diabetic Counts” campaign in the Virgin Islands please visit www.vimipro.org or www.cmspulse.org or call VIMI at 340.712.2400.
 
Added: November 10, 2009
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As Virgin Islanders hear the news about the House passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), many may wonder exactly where the territory stands.
 
AARP Virgin Islands wants all Virgin Islanders to be aware that Delegate Donna Christensen accomplished a great deal as part of her membership on the Tri-Caucus Committee. Through the Delegate’s efforts the Tri-Caucus was able to influence the House bill to include the Territories in the health exchange and put language into the bill that places $10.25 Billion into Medicaid funding over the next nine years. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives late on the evening of Saturday, November 7th.
 
While the Senate HELP bill also includes the territories in the health exchange, the Senate Finance Committee bill does not, so work still needs to be done to ensure that the territories get included in the final bill voted on by the Senate.
 
Virgin Islanders are asked to monitor what transpires in the Senate over the next few weeks and be prepared to contact friends and family members living on the mainland urging them to contact their Congressional representatives and push for them to include the Territories in the final bill passed by the Senate.
 
History is being made. Be a part of it!
Added: November 9, 2009
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AARP applauded President Barack Obama’s proposal to provide $250 to older Americans, veterans and disabled persons receiving Social Security payments in lieu of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.
 
AARP Chief Operating Officer, Tom Nelson indicated, “The 65+ population is facing extreme financial hardship; older Americans are paying more out of pocket for medical care, have experienced a real decline in their retirement accounts and in housing values, face longer periods of unemployment for those who need to work, and low returns on interest bearing accounts. Without relief, millions of older Americans will be unable to afford skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, as well as other basic necessities.”
 
Automatic annual adjustments went into effect in 1975 and 2010 will be the first year without one. Read more at AARP Bulletin Today
Added: October 15, 2009
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AARP Virgin Islands applauds the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) and their Family Connection Program for promoting an event that pays tribute to one of the unsung heroes – our childcare providers.
 
CFVI has selected October 20, 2009 as a day for Virgin Islands parents and grandparents to express their appreciation to the individuals who provide their young children and grandchildren with care and nurturing during their most formative years. Parents and grandparents escorting children to childcare on this day are urged to bring a flower for the caregiver to demonstrate your appreciation. These individuals have chosen to dedicate their lives to this profession and serve as role models, mentors and early educators.
 
“Its important that the community recognize that childcare programs are not just babysitting services,” stated State Director Denyce Singleton, “High quality childcare plays a very important role in the healthy development of young children and puts them on the road to success.”
 
Added: October 13, 2009
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Mark your calendars for CareForce 2009. This event will be held the week of October 26-30, 2009. Free flu and pneumonia vaccinations will be available, along with blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring.

 Special tests for diabetics will also be administered but you must bring your Medicare card or proof of insurance.

CareForce 2009 schadule is as follows:
 
On St. Croix :
October 26th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm at Sunshine Mall, Frederiksted
October 27th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm at the D.C. Canegata Ball Park, Christiansted
 
On St. Thomas :
October 29th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm - NEW LOCATION! UVI Sports and Fitness Center
October 30th, 7:30 am – 3:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Estate Tutu
 
On St. John :
St. Ursula’s Senior Center
October 29th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
 
AARP volunteers will be on site to assist with crowd control and traffic flow.
 
We are encouraging you to come out and get your vaccinations and health screening tests! Seniors and people with underlying health conditions who get the flu are much more likely to have serious complications. The flu and pneumonia vaccines may prevent hospitalization and even save your life!
 
So come out to get tested and stay on top of your health.  Care Force 2009 is a partnership between V.I. Medical Institute, the VI National Guard,  Hovensa LLC, United Health Group and AARP Virgin Islands.
 
 

Added: October 8, 2009
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Those eligible for or are on any type of public assistance can get help paying telephone bills through the Lifeline program, the Public Services Commission announced this week as it unveiled Lifeline Awareness Week. The Link-Up program can also help with phone bills.

"I don't think enough people know about the program," Innovative Telephone spokesman Janette Millin said.

PSC spokesman Lorna Nichols said the PSC plans to hold an outreach program about the Lifeline program from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Human Services Department office on St. Thomas. On St. Croix, the PSC will be at the Innovative Building from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.

According to a press release from the PSC, the program helps people stay connected to emergency services and can possibly save lives.

The Lifeline program provides a discount on basic telephone service of at least $10 per month. Link-Up provides a 50 percent reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households that do not currently have telephone service.

According to Millin, a person who qualifies for the program will currently pay $11.10 a month for basic telephone services. That fee does not include extras like call waiting.

Millin said the program currently serves 500 to 600 customers across the territory.

The Lifeline program is a national program under the umbrella of the Federal Communications Commission [1] that serves people who live in rural areas.

To apply, people must go to the Human Services office. According to Millin, they must be the head of household and be certified to participate by Human Services.

For more information, call Human Services at 774-0930, the PSC at 776-1291 or Innovative at 779-9999.

 

Added: September 25, 2009
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The United Way of St. Croix, in partnership with Clinical Laboratory, Inc., VI Cardiac Center and Pavia Information Center is holding a FREE Diabetes and Sickle Cell Health Screening event themed "Day of Action". The event will be held at the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center on Saturday, September 26, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

The screening will be provided for ALL ages (children, adults and seniors). According to the Virgin Islands Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, "9% to 12% of the USVI population, age 18 and older, has been diagnosed with diabetes, and approximately 4.1% of adult Virgin Islands residents have diabetes, but remain undiagnosed. Diabetes Mellitus is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

Individuals registering for FREE health screenings are reminded that they do not have to fast and can have breakfast beforebefore arriving for the exam. Families are encouraged to participate in this important screening event. Early detection of Diabetes and Sickle Cell is important and also treatable.

 

Contributors for the "Day of Action" include Clinical Laboratory, Novo Nordisk, Inc., Bio-Nuclear, AARP Virgin Islands, Greenleaf VI, Inc, Continuum Care, JKC Communications, Cruzan Rum Distillery and SkyMed USVI.

To register for your free exam, please call (340) 715-1190 or (340) 719-6631.

Added: September 22, 2009
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Paul Simmonds, PhD was welcomed as the new State President of AARP Virgin Islands in mid June. Local chapters are on summer break for July and August, thus the State Office was unable to officially introduce Simmonds to chapter members.
 
Now that chapters are resuming their post-summer meetings, Simmonds is anxious to get on each Chapter’s agenda so that he can have face-to-face encounters with members, listen to their concerns and share his thoughts on where AARP is going with health care reform and other issues of importance to our membership.
 
As a guest professor with the University of the West Indies, Dr. Simmonds traveled to Jamaica in June shortly after becoming the VI State president. Upon his return in July, he immediately sprang into action testifying on behalf of AARP on several bills at the Legislature and representing AARP at various territorial events.
 
Simmonds will be traveling to meet with chapters on each island as follows: St. Thomas, Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center; St. Croix, October 3 at 2:00 at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged; and St. John on Thursday, November 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Hall adjacent to the Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay. Chapter members are urged to come out and get to know the new AARP State President.
Added: September 21, 2009
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On Friday, September 11, AARP Virgin Islands will be observing AARP’s 9th National Day of Service. Local volunteers will be joining thousands of AARP employees, volunteers, and members throughout the nation to perform activities that make a meaningful difference in our communities.  Last year, thousands of volunteers across the country participated in Day of Service.

This year, our local Day of Service activity will be conducting ‘Vitran Bus System Audits’. This activity is intended to address bus schedules, concerns and conditions that impact bus riders in the Virgin Islands. AARP promotes and educates on the concept of “livable communities’ which encourages community planning and situations that make it easy for a population to meet their daily needs and stay engaged in the fabric of the community. Our overall goal is to promote sustaining independence and freedom as our members age. 
 
AARP feels the time has come to highlight and address existing deficiencies. Every resident in our community needs to be able to get where they need to go safely and affordably.
 
Volunteer teams will be focusing on existing Vitran routes and schedules on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. Timeliness and the condition of bus stops will be evaluated.
 
The survey’s findings will allow AARP to formulate an assessment report that can be shared with government officials, ultimately urging consciousness of community needs. These needs not only support an aging population, but promote a livable community where the needs of those that utilize public transportation are met.

 

Added: September 10, 2009
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