28
August 13, 2013
DOUGH
Current in Carmel
www.currentincarmel.com
Medicare meets mandates
Commentary by Jamie Ianigro
Hamilton County Fairgrounds Noblesville, Indiana SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2013 • 10AM - 5PM SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2013 • 11AM - 4PM
One of Central Indiana’s most distinctive art & craft shows featuring exhibits from 4 states brimming full of fresh home decorating ideas, unique garden items, one-of-a-kind pieces, exquisite jewelry, outstanding florals and woodcrafts, specialty foods, Americana, primitive, contemporary folk art & so much more. Adults $3.50 Children under 12 free Unlimited re-entry w/handstamp (one discount per person)
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ADMISSION WITH THIS COUPON VALID FOR 2 ADULTS
• Ample free parking • Hourly gift certificate drawings • All exhibits inside air conditioned building • “Summertime Cafe”
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Question from Richard H. from Fishers: My wife and I are both retired, drawing social security and on Medicare. How Insurance will the new mandates affect us? Response from Jamie Ianigro: Beginning in 2014, every adult must have health insurance that meets minimum standards of coverage or pay a penalty when filing their tax returns. The tax penalty starts at $95 or 1 percent of your yearly income, whichever is greater. The penalty increases during the next two years as the law currently stands. The nice thing for the people on Medicare is how little all of this will actually affect them. Being enrolled in Medicare fulfills your individual mandate and keeps you out of the tax penalty box each year. Reform also has added free preventive services and annual wellness visits under Medicare. These benefits were rolled out in January 2011. Annual wellness visits are designed to allow you to meet with your physician annually to develop a personalized plan for improving and/or maintaining your health. This visit includes routine measurements, reviewing and updating your family medical history, a personal risk assessment, a review of your current abilities and getting refer-
rals to additional services you may need. Preventative services are the other piece that has been added to your Medicare plan as a no cost-sharing benefit. These include mammograms every 12 months, cardiovascular disease screenings, colonoscopies, cervical cancer screenings, cholesterol testing, diabetes screenings, flu shots, bone mass measurements and many other benefits. Additional benefits do have a cost, but those costs are passed on to people still paying Medicare taxes. The Medicare tax rate was increased at the end of 2012. A single individual pays Medicare taxes on all income up to $125,000. Those that are married and filing jointly have a threshold of $250,000. The new mandates also don’t take any shots at the social security trust fund. It is unlikely that social security will remain unchanged forever, but the trust fund is expected to be solvent until 2033 under the current rules and regulations. The fund is expected to begin bringing in less money than it pays out starting in the early 2020s. Jamie Ianigro is with Shepherd Insurance & Finanacial Services. Have an insurance question you need answered? Send it to asktheadvisor@shepherdins.com.
Come tour our Promenade Spec. Home! • Relax in peace and quiet or get some work done in the secluded, private den • Upgrade your delightful owner’s suite with optional covered patio or sitting room • Welcome your guests in grand fashion thanks to the special front entry porch
From left, Debbie Laird, vice president of development and transportation at Janus, Patrick Ritchie, of the Gordon Flesch Co., and Connie Sanders, president/CEO of Janus, present a $5,000 grant to support the Janus Doorways program. (Submitted photo)
Janus receives Doorways grant news@currentinwestfield.com
17083 Huntley Place, Westfield, IN (169th & Springmill Road) 317-797-3804 | 317-431-1659 | www.maplesatspringmill.com
The Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Janus Developmental Services in support of the Janus Doorways program. The philanthropy funds will be used for healthy lifestyle classes which will promote health and fitness education and activities for individuals living with disabilities. This program enables
individuals with disabilities to exercise appropriately and become more knowledgeable about nutritional food choices and self-care needs. The Gordon Flesch Co. is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of technology solutions. Family-owned since 1956, it has 20 offices throughout the Midwest. Janus Developmental Services, Inc. has a 34-year history of providing services and programs to individuals living with disabilities in the community.