winter 2014/2015 greater bay: Programs & services in your community
open enrollment: what you need to know It’s winter, which means that, in addition to unpacking your sweaters and staying cozy, it’s also open enrollment time. This means evaluating your current health insurance plan for whether it still meets your medical needs and considering different coverage if it doesn’t. The three month Open Enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, the online health insurance shopping ‘portal’ through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ends February 15, 2015.
health insurance marketplace The Health Insurance Marketplace is an online health insurance shopping ‘portal.’ It allows individuals and families to compare available health plan options, submit an application for health insurance and cost help, and enroll in their chosen health plan. Details about price, benefits, quality and other features are presented to help you select the plan that best meets your needs.
What you should know about open enrollment Open Enrollment is the only time of year that people who are not already insured can apply for coverage and tax credits unless they qualify for a special enrollment due to certain circumstances (i.e. a job change, out-of-state move, having a baby, etc.). It is also the only
time current enrollees in a Marketplace plan can compare their current coverage to other options and enroll in another plan better suited to their needs and budget. Current enrollees in Marketplace plans are strongly urged to contact the Marketplace to verify or update their income, household size and other information to assure they receive the maximum tax credit and cost help for them and their family. Before enrolling in a new plan, people with MS should check to see if their prescription drugs and health care providers are covered. A good source of help comparing plan details for people with chronic illnesses is www.PuttingPatientsFirst.net. Visit www.healthcare.gov to register or switch plans. If you have questions about MS and the Health Insurance Marketplace, call our MS Navigators at 800-344-4867 for assistance. n
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greater bay: Programs & Services winter 2014/2015
UpCOMINg PROGRAMS Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise stated. Register by calling 1-800-344-4867 or visiting our Calendar at www.nationalMSsociety.org/calendar/ norcal.
Online Newly Diagnosed Orientation Thursday, January 8th Thursday, March 12th 6:00pm - 7:30pm Online and over the phone Are you Newly Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you are facing. This web based program will be conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Crabtree, Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCSF and Director of Patient Program Development at UCSF’s MS Center. Dr. Crabtree will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed. This orientation provides an excellent opportunity to have any questions you may wish to ask answered and learn more about the resources available to persons with multiple sclerosis. A phone and computer with internet access will be necessary to join this program.
Newly Diagnosed Orientation Wednesday, February 4th 6:30pm - 8:30pm National MS Society Office 1700 Owens St., Ste. 190, San Francisco Are you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This informative program will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed, as well as family and friends who want to learn more.
Easing Make Up Application with MS Sunday, March 22nd 1:00pm - 3:00pm Pleasanton Library 400 Old Bernal Ave, Pleasanton Smashbox Cosmetics is coming to give us tricks and tips on how to apply makeup daily for those living with MS. Shawna is a Beauty stylist that has worked for Nordstrom for over 10 years. Shawna was diagnosed with MS about four years ago. She explained one of hardest the things that she had to get adjusted to was applying her makeup. Shawna and Smashbox are ready to show a group of women how to apply makeup at ease. We’ll get to learn a very simple look for every day use and something a bit spicier for night or going out.
register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867
Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with Multiple Sclerosis 5 Week Series on Wednesdays, February 4th - March 4th 2:00pm - 4:00pm National MS Society Office 1700 Owens St., Ste. 190, San Francisco The idea of your “best life” can change due to the challenges of having a chronic and unpredictable condition. To address this challenge, the MS Society developed this free program for people living with MS, their support partners and family members. This interactive program strives to increase participants’ knowledge about the fundamental teachings of positive psychology to address the everyday challenges of living with MS.
Walnut Creek Mix & Mingle Walk Kick-Off Tuesday, March 3rd 5:00pm - 7:00pm Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant 1410 Locust Street, Walnut Creek Let’s celebrate MS Awareness Week with a Walk Kick-Off celebration as we mix and mingle! What better way to spread awareness, than to fill Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant with orange? We’ll have light appetizers and drinks will be available for purchase. Southern California & Nevada
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what’s happening in northern california See page 4 for the dates, times, and locations of our Mood and Cognition programs.
Central Valley • Newly Diagnosed Orientation, February
3rd in Modesto • Rally in the Valley, March 14th in Oakdale • Yoga Class for People Living with MS, Tuesdays in Modest
North State
• AXS Mapathon, January 24th in Santa Rosa • • •
•
and March 14th in Petaluma Chico MS Soiree, January 30th in Chico Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS, March 30th in Petaluma One-on-One Newly Diagnosed Orientations in North State, Napa and Sonoma Area Adaptive Yoga for MS, Tuesdays in Santa Rosa
Sacramento
• Learning Your Options: An Update on MS
Treatments and Clinical Trials, January 20th in Carmichael • Free From Falls, January 29th - March 19th in Citrus Heights • UC Davis Medical Center MS Support Group, February 4th in Sacramento • In-Person Newly Diagnosed Orientation, February 5th in Carmichael
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greater bay: Programs & Services winter 2014/2015
• 2nd Annual ReUseIt Clothing Drive,
March 2nd - 15th in Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, and Sacramento • Sacramento Mix & Mingle Walk MS KickOff, March 4th in Sacramento • The Topic People Don’t Want to Talk About: Bladder Problems in MS, March 18th in Sacramento
South Bay
• Tara Talks, January 8th in Salinas, 15th in • • • • • • •
Santa Cruz and 22nd in Monterey Partners of MS Support & Social, February 7th in Santa Clara Newly Diagnosed Orientation, February 10th in Santa Clara Wine Down Wednesday, February 18th in Los Gatos Crafting for a Cure for Kids, March 3rd in Santa Clara MS Awareness Fair, March 6th in Marina Stretching, Strength and Aquatics, March 31st - April 16th in Marina San Jose Sabercats, coming soon in San Jose
self-help groups ALAMEDA COUNTY
• Fremont - Marie: 510-520-7276 • Oakland - Katrina 510-523-1891 • Oakland: African Americans - Karen:
510-757-3290
• Oakland: Latinos - Elsa: 510-777-1414
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
• Brentwood: MS for Lunch Bunch
- Kathy: 925-286-7674, Julie: 925-5134686 • Mt. Diablo (Concord) - Cindy: 925-6770737, Jan: 925-372-0859 • El Cerrito - Thad: 510-528-8540
MARIN COUNTY
• Corte Madera (Group does not meet in
July or August) - Vicki: 415-892-7370, Anita: 415-892-5548
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
• San Francisco: Young at Heart Group
- George: 415-724-0064, Ann: 415-5738949
SAN MATEO COUNTY
• Foster City - Eli: 650-377-1970 • San Mateo - George: 650-281-7646
• Alameda - Sharon: 510-521-6260, Ray:
510-522-5210 • Berkeley: Lunch Group (meets periodically) - Toni: 510-653-4534 • Central Berkeley - Audrey: 510-287-6543 • East Bay: Lesbians - eastbaymsgroup@ gmail.com
ONLINE • “Second Life” - John: 916-708-9708