Topeka Community Matters February 2019

Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor

February 2019

Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® call for entries underway Topeka Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 25–29, 2019. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2020 Art is Ageless calendar.

Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2014). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by March 22.

The Art is Ageless program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art AIA, continued on page 2

Peg and Donald Shrewsbury

Shrewsburys are 61 years strong February is the “month of love,” so why not highlight some of our very own “love birds?” Peg and Donald Shrewsbury have called Topeka Presbyterian Manor home for two years, and they have been married for 61 years.

“It’s kind of funny how we met. My sister was dating a guy in the Air Force who was stationed at Forbes Field. He brought his roommate to church, we met, and that’s who I ended up marrying!” said Peg. Now we know you’re wondering, did her sister end up marrying the guy she was dating at that time?

“Yes, my sister married him. In fact, we got married the same year!

They’ve been married 61 years as well, and live in Delaware, where he’s from.”

Peg and Donald have a daughter and three sons, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

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Presbyterian Manor.

classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

“I would say my secret to a long, happy marriage is to put God first.

Next, put each other first.You have to give and take a little.”

Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level.

Before health complications arose, Peg and Donald traveled the United States extensively, traveling to all 50 states and staying in Arizona for 15 winters. While their traveling days are behind them, Peg reflects fondly on those memories and enjoys making new memories at

“We just love the sense of camaraderie here. It’s a close-knit community, and it didn’t take us any time to get to know people.

Everyone introduces themselves, and it’s just a community feeling.

The meals are great and the staff is second to none.”

Entry forms and information can be picked up at Topeka Presbyterian Manor, 4712 SW 6th Avenue,Topeka, or by contacting Chelsea Watgen at 785-272-6510 or cwatgen@ pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter

We’re grateful Peg and Donald call Topeka Presbyterian Manor home, and we’re grateful for them sharing their love story.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Heather Pilkinton, executive director Chelsea Watgen, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chelsea Watgen, marketing director, cwatgen@pmma.org.

Telephone: 785-272-6510 Fax: 785-272-0496 Address: 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave., Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

TopekaPresbyterianManor.org

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Community Matters February 2019

In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight.

This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships.

When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service.

We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

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Medicare Advantage enrollment This year, 2019, is a huge year for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

There will be many changes and most of them are beneficial. In 2010, lawmakers did away with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans. The 21st Century Cures Act means that now they are bringing it back. This Open Enrollment Period began on January 1 and will end on March 31.

During this time beneficiaries get a one-time opportunity to change from Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.

You could also disenroll for the Medicare Advantage program all together and switch to Traditional Medicare.

Return of the open enrollment period The Medicare Open Enrollment Period will replace the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) that used to be from January 1 until February 14.

The new Medicare changes of 2019 will make possible changing from the subpar Medicare Advantage plan to a more suitable plan.

enrolled in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, you need to make changes to your Part D Prescription Drug plan during the Annual Election Period (AEP) October 15 through December 7 of every year.

Beneficiaries need to know Each year by September 30, Medicare Advantage plan recipients receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) from their existing insurance carrier for their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription drug plan providers.

As a Medicare recipient residing in Missouri or Kansas, the best thing you can do is make changes during AEP, changes that you’ll be pleased with for the following year.

Part A premium increases Approximately 99 percent of beneficiaries won’t have to pay a Medicare Part A premium.

You should notice an increase if: • If you have fewer than 40 quarters of employment or you’re disabled.

During the enrollment period, beneficiaries will get a one-time opportunity to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.You may also disenroll for the Medicare Advantage program all together and switch to Traditional Medicare, with or without a Part D Prescription Drug plan.

Anyone that has exhausted other entitlement will pay the full premium, which increased by $15.

The new premium is $437 a month for 2019.

If you’re Medicare eligible and

If you have 30 quarters of coverage

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• If you had a minimum of 30 quarters or were married to someone with 30 quarters of coverage.

you may buy into Part A at a lowered monthly fee, which would be $240 in 2019, an $8 increase.

This is because you are technically voluntarily enrolled into Part A. Part A deductible increases The Part A deductible increased by $24, for a total of $1,340 in 2019.

• Beneficiaries with only Medicare as their coverage will be expected to pay the $1,340 when they are admitted to the hospital.

If you have Original Medicare, you’ll be expected to pay a coinsurance amount of $341 per day for the 61st through 90th day of hospitalization in 2019.

For lifetime reserve days, the amount increased to $682 per day.

If you or a loved one is in a skilled nursing facility, you can expect the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period to be $170.50 in 2019. This is an increase of $3.

Part B premium increases Part B premium for 2019 will be $135.50, which is only an increase of $1.50.

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Topeka Presbyterian Manor 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Return Service Requested

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In addition to these changes, CMS has added a high-income bracket, if your income is $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for a married couple) then you will pay $460.50 a month for Part B in 2019.

Part B deductible increase The Part B deductible will increase $2 and become $185 in 2019.

Beneficiaries with a Medicare Supplement Plan C or Plan F have coverage for this deductible and won’t be subject to its costs.

Medicare Advantage plan enrollees have low copays and deductibles that

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Community Matters February 2019

shouldn’t increase with the Part B deductible.

First dollar coverage plans are going away in 2020 In order to reduce healthcare spending, Medicare is eliminating 1st dollar coverage plans come 2020. This includes Plan C and Plan F. First dollar coverage plans are Medicare Supplement plans that allow beneficiaries to not pay anything out of pocket. These plans cover all copayments and deductibles associated with Original Medicare.

Studies have shown beneficiaries using more healthcare services when enrolled in a 1st dollar coverage plan. The theory is that beneficiaries will go less often for minor things if they must pay something to go see the doctor.

If you’re on one of these plans, you’ll be grandfathered in. However, come 2020 your premiums may increase due to no new enrollees.

Instead of Plan C, Plan N is recommended. Instead of Plan F, Plan G is recommended.

The income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) impacts about 5 percent of people with Medicare Part B. Like us on Facebook