As we continue to face record-breaking temperatures across the state, AARP wants to be sure that you know what resources are available to help with skyrocketing electricity bills.
 

Payment Plans

If you are getting behind in your electricity payments you should ask your electric company to help you. You can suggest a payment plan that works for you. Make sure you will be able to afford the new payment plan because if you miss a payment the total amount will become due and it will be harder to prevent a shut-off.
 

Budget Billing

You can spread the really high cooling costs of summer across the entire calendar year by signing up for budget billing. With budget billing (also called levelized or average payments) instead of paying more when you use more, you pay roughly the same amount every month. Budget billing is not a discount program; it offers no savings or lower rates but will make bill paying more manageable.
 

State Electric Discount

If you live in a deregulated area of the state and have a household income of 125% of the federal poverty level or below you may be eligible to receive a 20% discount on your electricity bill. The LITE-UP Texas program provides this discount on electric bills from May-September. If you receive other income-eligible state benefits you may already be automatically enrolled in the program. To find out if you are eligible, call 1-866-454-8387.

Energy Assistance Grants

If your annual income is 125% of the federal poverty level or below you may be able to get up to $1,200 to help you pay for immediate utility expenses. Energy Assistance Grants are federally funded, but locally administered. To locate your local entity administering this program to apply for assistance, call 1-877-399-8939.
 

Weatherization Assistance

You can lower your electricity bills through energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and weather-stripping through the federally funded, but locally administered Weatherization Assistance Program. This program is open to income eligible households of 125% of federal poverty level and below. To locate your local entity administering this program to apply, call 1-888-606-8889.
 

Switching Electricity Providers

If you live in a deregulated area of the state and you are considering switching electricity providers you can get information on what’s available at:

1-866-PWR 4 TEX (1-866-797-4839) or www.powertochoose.org.

Here are some things to remember when shopping for a new Retail Electric Provider

• Take nothing for granted. Double-check the terms of the service agreement before saying yes.
• Check the rate, the minimum time the rate must be in effect, penalties, and extra fees charged by the Retail Electric Provider.
• You have three days to rescind the agreement. Use this right if you think you may have made a mistake.
   

If You Have Problems Or Questions About Your Electric Service

Step 1. Call the electric company or in deregulated areas your Retail Electric Provider.

Step 2. Contact the Public Utility Commission (PUC) at 1-888-782-8477 and ask to file a complaint.

Step 3. Send a copy of the complaint to your State Representative and State Senator. You can find out which elected officials represent you (and get their contact information) at: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Looking for or having trouble with health insurance? Know someone who is?

Check out this helpful information on Texas health insurance information created by the AARP Texas advocacy staff.
 

Need help finding coverage or with health insurance questions?
Texas Health Information Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP):
1-800-252-9240

Help finding health care coverage or for information about health insurance:
www.TexasHealthOptions.com
 

Have Medicare questions?
Medicare eligibility and benefits questions or for a copy of the Medicare & You guide:
1-800-Medicare (633-4227)
1-877-486-2048 (TYY)
www.medicare.gov

Just have general insurance questions?
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) offers a variety of insurance-related publications and services.
www.tdi.state.tx.us

TDI’s Consumer Help Line between  8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Central time, Monday-Friday
1-800-252-3439
512-463-6515 (in Austin)

Have a complaint?
If you have a complaint against an insurance company or agent, you may file your complaint with TDI several ways:

• on the website at www.tdi.state.tx.us
• by e-mail at ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us
• by fax at 512-475-1771
• by mail at:
  Texas Department of Insurance
  Consumer Protection (111-1A)
  P.O.  Box 149091
  Austin , TX 78714-9091

The State of Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is sponsoring a series of meetings across the state. If you or someone you know is in one of the following programs AND you want to learn more about how you could hire your own caregiver and have more control, choice and responsibility, you are invited to attend a meeting.

Community Based Alternatives (CBA)
Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)
Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD)
Home and Community-based Services (HCS)
Integrated Care Management (ICM)
Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP)
Personal Care Services (PCS)
Primary Home Care (PHC), Family Care (FC), or Community Attendant Services (CAS)
STAR+PLUS
Texas Home Living (TxHmL)

These meetings will include an information session and an opportunity to ask questions. Registration is not required and attendance is free.

ABILENE
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Rose Senior Activity Center
2625 South 7th Street
Abilene, TX

AUSTIN
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Austin Travis County MHMR Center Annex
Large Training Room, Bldg. 1, Suite 102
1700 S. Lamar
Austin, TX

EDINBURG
Monday, August 17, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library
1906 South Closner
Edinburg, TX

EL PASO
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

El Paso Community MHMR
Conference Room
8730 Boeing
El Paso, TX

FORT WORTH
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Aging and Disability Resource Center
Resource Connection Gymnasium
2300 Circle Drive
Fort Worth, TX

HOUSTON
Saturday, August 22
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

MHMRA of Harris County Conference Center
Room B
7011 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX

LONGVIEW
Monday, July 27, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

East Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
107 Woodbine Place
Longview, TX

LUBBOCK
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

LIFE/RUN
Lifetime Independence for Everyone
4902 34th Street, Suite 5
Lubbock, TX

SAN ANTONIO
Saturday, August 15, 2009
10:00 a.m. - noon

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Gymnasium
6914 Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, TX

(disclosure of information to consumers in sale of annuities)

Statement by Mary Scott, President, AARP Texas

AARP is deeply disappointed in Governor Perry’s veto of HB 1293, a bill which enjoyed broad bipartisan support, was passed unanimously by both House and Senate and even received the endorsement of the insurance industry!  Governor Perry’s own state agency – the Texas Department of Insurance – identified annuities as an area in need of new consumer protections.

The Governor’s timing couldn’t be worse, and his action will hurt many of our members and Texans generally.  Tough economic times tend to bring out the worst behavior in those who prey on unsuspecting consumers for their own financial gain.  Hidden fees, excessive surrender charges and slick sales pitches that deceive trusting buyers are all too common consumer complaints today.  HB 1293 would have added openness and transparency to these transactions, disclosing important information to consumers.

Is the Governor really more interested in blocking people’s access to the courthouse than providing new protections for Texans getting ripped off with annuities?  Apparently, the answer is yes.  AARP is offended by this veto and will make sure that its members are informed of Governor Perry’s decision.

AUSTIN, TX – AARP Texas joined a petition filed before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) today by Representative Sylvester Turner of Houston to prevent dangerous electricity disconnections this summer.

“As triple digit temperatures become the norm, it is imperative that we take immediate action to prevent tragedies in our state,” said Bob Jackson,  AARP Texas state director.  “While AARP continues to urge the Texas Legislature to fix the problem permanently, we ask the PUC to do the responsible thing and protect the lives and health of many citizens who are at increased risk this summer.”

The combination of high electricity bills and overly aggressive disconnection policies is putting the medically frail, seniors and other vulnerable individuals at risk of heat related illness or death.  Although bills were introduced this session that would have improved electricity disconnection protections for Texans, the Legislature failed to pass them.  Representative Turner’s petition provides a temporary fix which allows any unpaid balances accrued to be repaid by customers through a deferred payment plan.

“The dog days of summer are here and it’s still only June,” Jackson added.  “We’ve had preventable tragedies in our state in recent years and must avoid a repeat at all costs.  The time to act is now.”

Summer is a time of year when many people in Medicare Part D fall into the “doughnut hole,” but AARP has developed a new resource to help you or your loved ones stay out of this coverage gap that requires enrollees to pay 100 percent of their medication costs.

In Texas, 28% of people in Medicare Part D fell into the doughnut hole in 2007.  This new, interactive, online tool can help Texans reduce their Part D spending by identifying safe, effective alternatives, such as generic or therapeutically similar drugs.

“AARP believes health reform must help those with the highest drug costs save money by closing the doughnut hole and lower drug costs by giving people greater access to generic drugs” said Tim Simmons, AARP Texas Manager of State Operations.

That is why AARP developed a calculator to help people in Medicare Part D save on drug costs by postponing or, in some cases, avoiding the doughnut hole.

And, even if you don’t hit the doughnut hole, the tool can give you options to lower your out of pocket drug costs.

It is easy to use. Fill in your zip code, click on your health plan, list your drugs. The calculator will tell you how long your coverage will last before you will hit the doughnut hole. You will receive a list of less expensive medications. The calculator also allows you to print a letter—in English and in Spanish—you can give to your doctor for each medication alternative that may save you money.

More good news? Any information stays private! In fact, it goes away as soon as you exit the calculator.

So go to the tool and see how much money you can save. The tool can be found http://www.aarp.org/doughnuthole

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to The Dallas Morning News by AARP volunteer Jeff Kreisberg.

Your story "Long-term care threatens to sap seniors' savings" (June 17), highlights the need for smarter solutions to America’s long-term care problem. 

The urgency of long-term care became strikingly evident as I witnessed both my own and my wife’s parents suffer not only from chronic illnesses and other end-of-life issues, but also from a woefully inadequate system of care. We had to deal with an ineffective, fragmented healthcare system that provided expensive, duplicative, and often unnecessary services. We were also confronted with the nightmare of warehousing our loved ones in facilities more concerned with their "bottom line" than human dignity. 

While an overwhelming percentage of seniors favor receiving care in their own homes, it’s not the default mechanism in our nation today. We should not force our seniors to receive more costly care in a nursing home. Average community-based care costs in Texas range from $700 to $1,400 per month, compared to $2,500 per month for the average Medicaid-funded nursing home. Home and community-based services will help our most vulnerable stay in their communities, among friends and family, as long as possible. And it saves money. Federal law must be changed to make it easier for states to provide older Americans access to home and community-based services.

Featuring free health screenings, document shredding and much more

AUSTIN, TX -- Austinites of all ages are invited to learn about senior-oriented services and programs at the AARP Community Day on Saturday, June 13, which will feature more than 100 exhibitors, vendors and information booths. Free health screenings will also be offered, including vision, glucose, blood pressure and stress tests. Five cash prizes will be given throughout the event.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Louis Catholic Church, across from Northcross Mall, on 7601 Burnet Road.

To combat identity theft, it is important to carefully dispose of personal records such as credit card and checking account statements. AARP will offer free household document shredding at the event. Each household may bring up to three large envelopes of paper records for shredding. No hard plastics, electronic media, binders or wet papers will be shredded.

Highlights of special guest speakers include: Don Raschke, former deputy commissioner for the Texas State Security Board, talking about financial security; AARP Executive Council Member Bob Remlinger discussing scams and identity theft; and Tim Simmons, associate state director for AARP Texas. 

Refreshments will be served, including free boxed lunches for all attendees at 12:30 p.m.

In the past few weeks, AARP Texas staff and volunteers have met with many members of Congress to talk health care reform.

The chief of staff for Ralph Hall, of Congressional District 4, said the representative is “leaning toward yes” on the subjects of supporting Medicare transitional benefits and Medicare Savings Program Part D low income subsidies.

Joe Barton’s office, which represents the 6th Congressional District, has introduced his own version of a bill that would encourage generic versions of expensive biologic drugs.

At a recent Houston political gathering, Al Green of Congressional District 9 said he is committed to providing insurance for those without it while allowing others to retain their current coverage or choose other options.

At a meeting with staff and volunteers, Congressional District 14’s Ron Paul was very much against government-run health care programs but believes that everyone should have a choice of insurance coverage policies.

At yet another meeting, Ciro Rodriguez (Congressional District 23) was supportive of member concerns and agreed to speak at a chapter meeting on health reform in July.

Michael Burgess, who represents the 26th Congressional District, disapproves of Obama’s plan for health care but things that alternatives should be presented.

Congressional District 29’s Gene Green told AARP Texas that he strongly favors a national health care system that does not give the states the ability to manage the money. He feels everyone should have the same benefits unlike SCHIP and Medicaid.

AARP began the 2009 session with the goal of strengthening the long term health and financial security of our members and their families. At the close of the 2009 session, AARP would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the session.

Health Coverage
 
Session Summary:  Much of the work in the area of health coverage focused on increasing the affordability and availability of private health insurance.  HB 2064, a high priority for AARP, creates a premium discount for Texans with pre-existing conditions who are forced to get their health insurance through the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool. There are several other bills that create more transparency in the small group and individual insurance market and may help to make coverage more affordable in the long run. As a member of the CHIP Coalition, AARP also worked in support of a buy-in for the CHIP program and to extend Medicaid eligibility from 6 months to 12 months.

Interim:  During the interim, AARP is committed to the successful implementation of the new insurance programs and rules. AARP also looks to continue to pursue public policy changes that would make health care coverage more affordable to Texans age 50+ and their families. AARP will continue to work in support of insuring that children in Texas have access to affordable health insurance coverage.

Long Term Care

Session Summary:  AARP developed and worked in support of a number of proposals to help seniors and people with physical disabilities age in place. Helping people remain in the community means offering services in the most appropriate setting, fully funding Community Based Alternatives (CBA) waiver slots, increasing direct care worker wages, and helping seniors and people with disabilities navigate the long term care system. While there is funding to support a 10 percent reduction in the waiting list, these funds will not keep up with the increasing demand for services as the Texas population ages. Similarly, the increased funding for direct care workers is important, but does not yet achieve the goal of a living wage.  Some important successes were achieved with the creation of the lifespan respite service program and the creation of fall prevention awareness week, which should help keep individuals in the community longer. AARP also worked to require state agencies to provide better consumer information on key long term care programs and providers.

Interim:  AARP worked to secure a pilot program in support of a single point of entry for long term care which would have tested the potential for savings from diverting individuals from nursing homes to community-based services. Although this proposal did not pass both houses, AARP will continue efforts to create a single point of entry system in Texas. AARP will continue to work to strengthen Texas’ long term care system so that there is real choice between a nursing home and care at home; there is a qualified and sustainable long term care workforce; and Texas’ system of long term care makes sense.

Financial Security

Session Summary:  AARP worked with the Legislature to help Texans build and preserve their assets.  Our asset building strategy focused on keeping a broad array of essential products and services affordable, including utilities and homeowner’s insurance.  Legislation to lower utility bills and add new customer protections was introduced and heard in committee this session, however significant reforms failed. 

Homeowner’s insurance reform was a high priority.  Several important issues were debated regarding homeowner’s insurance, however many of these reforms were left unaddressed when the Texas Department of Insurance Sunset bill stalled out.     

AARP worked to preserve assets by creating new protections around certain investment products, like annuities, as well as, trying to forge a framework of accountability around short-term products, like payday loans.  The Legislature passed five bills to improve annuity disclosures, reduce annuity penalties and outlaw phony “Senior Specialist” designations.  The Legislature also passed bills to ensure that insurance agents are better trained and certified to offer complex products like annuities and Medicare Advantage products.  Legislation was introduced and heard in committee regarding payday lending in Texas, however it was left pending.     
     
Interim:  During the interim, AARP is committed to working towards successful implementation of bills signed by the Governor.  AARP will continue to work with House and Senate members to address on-going financial security issues through the Sunset Review process, interim studies, and preparations for the next legislative session.  Lowering utility rates will continue to be a high priority going into next session.  AARP will also continue to support establishing a system of prior approval in order to provide regulatory clarity for insurance carriers and reasonable rate certainty for policyholders.
 
Other Priority Issues

AARP worked in support of legislation creating a statutory power of attorney for the relative caregiver of a minor child. This will allow grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to make necessary decisions on behalf of the parents. AARP also supported establishing a legislative committee on aging. This new committee has the potential to provide the information and insight needed to ensure that Texas is prepared for a significant increase in the 65+ population in the next decade.