Action for Older Persons
PROGRAM UPDATES:
HIICAP (Medicare Counseling) –
AOP reminds everyone that Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from October 15th – December 7th. This is the one time each year that all Medicare beneficiaries can change their health care selection. Last year during Medicare Open Enrollment, AOP met one-on-one with 1,321 individuals and saved these local residents an estimated $997,987 in premium and copay expenses for 2020. Do you know that only 8% of Medicare beneficiaries review their plans each year? Tell your friends and families that plans change dramatically each year and they should review their plan. Let’s have Broome County beneficiaries lead the way in saving money!
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will be holding all Open Enrollment appointments via telephone. Our counselors have been doing this successfully for the past few months. It is different from what our clients are used to, but it is working.
Our office began making appointments for members Monday, Sept. 21st and for non-members Monday, Sept. 28th. For over a month we have been scheduling appointments to fit within the 35 business days that our office is open for the Open Enrollment period, and we’ve been filling up fast! We also encourage you to make your appointment as soon as possible to ensure appointments are still available. Be part of the 8%!
AOP counselors are available all year round to assist you. Call us at (607) 722-1251 to find out how we can help you save money with Medicare!
LTCOP (Advocates for Long-Term Care Facility Residents) –
- In order to best protect nursing home (and other long-term care facility) residents, our staff and volunteers will not be conducting regularly scheduled visits. That said, if there are issues surrounding the quality of care for you or a loved one, please reach out to a LTCOP staff member at 607-722-1251.
- We have received guidance stating that the facilities are able to have limited visitation but must fit into strict guidelines to be able to do so. Our staff is working with Administrators of facilities to determine which ones are applicable to limited visitation. Reach out to a LTCOP staff member for further information.
ICAN (Managed Long-Term Care Ombudsman) –
- If you have received a notice regarding changes to the services provided by your MLTC or need to enroll, we are still able to advocate for the services and supports you need to remain healthy and safe. Please feel free to contact us at 607-722-1251.
EMDT (Enhanced Multi-Disciplinary Team) –
At this time, meetings will continue as planned but will be moved to the Zoom platform. For professionals who would like to provide referrals, please reach out to Program Coordinator, Rebecca Bradley, at 607-722-1251 or the previously provided email.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:
We have received some calls about applying for unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, we are not well-versed in this topic and will direct everyone to the NYS Department of Labor. Their phone number is 1-888-209-8124.
They have telephone filing hours as follows:
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7:30 pm.
The website is: https://labor.ny.gov/ui/how_to_file_claim.shtm
Action for Older Persons (AOP) is an innovative and visionary organization that enhances the lives of adults living in Broome, Delaware, Chenango, Cortland, Otsego and Tioga counties. Through our classes, seminars, counseling sessions, and advocacy, AOP volunteers and staff impact the lives of thousands of people each year.
Action for Older Persons’ vision is to be the area’s leading resource for information to improve quality of life for older adults.
Action for Older Persons provides advocacy, individualized counseling, and unbiased information to empower older adults and their families to make informed decisions.
AOP is a private, non-profit, United Way member agency which was founded in 1967.
We are continuing our Annual Membership Drive. Choosing to become a member will help you gain access to personal benefits and help support and expand AOP’s program and services. We are hoping to increase total memberships and donations this year in order to provide opportunities for our members and all of those we serve. Please consider helping us reach our goal .
To donate to our organization click the button below: