Medicare coverage enrollment ends Dec. 31

Medicare coverage enrollment ends Dec. 31

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson reminds Medicare beneficiaries that the open enrollment, or “annual coordinated election” period, for 2009 Medicare coverage, ends at midnight on Dec. 31. Those who don’t qualify for financial assistance to help pay for costs associated with a stand-alone Part D drug plan and enroll after the Dec. 31 deadline will incur a late enrollment penalty. The Department of Insurance, through its Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), urges beneficiaries to call its toll-free hotline at (800) 686-1578 or (800) 633-4227 for help sorting the plan choices and for enrollment help. Medicare coverage secured through open enrollment will begin Jan. 1, 2009.

Hudson also cautioned people with Medicare to be aware of potential predatory sales practices by some insurance agents during open enrollment.

During open enrollment, people on Medicare can choose one of several coverage options: Original Medicare for their health coverage needs and adding a Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage; a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits often including drug coverage; or, after comparison shopping, determine their existing coverage continues to meet their health insurance needs. The premium cost and covered drugs vary by plan and a late enrollment penalty will apply to certain beneficiaries.

Regional partners offer assistance for agencies

YOUNGSTOWN — Through funding from the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives’ (GOFBCI), four regional partners, including the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership, will conduct the Ohio TANF Training Program (OTTP), which builds the capacity of faith-based and community groups that are meeting needs and delivering services in their community. The four regional partners will offer a series of free one-day capacity building training classes to faith-based and community organizations.

Here are times, locations and topics of training classes in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

UNew Jerusalem Fellowship Hall, 1948 Palmyra Road S.W., Warren: Jan.22, 2009, grant writing; Feb.17, outcomes management; March 17, fund development; April 21, board development; May 19, human resources and volunteer management; June 16, financial management.

UOakhill Renaissance, 345 Oakhill Ave. Youngstown: March 31, fund development; April 3, grant writing.

In addition, 10 capacity building mini-grants of $8,500 each will be awarded, on a competitive basis, within each of the four regions. In North East Ohio, Interested organizations can access additional information at www.my-cap.org. No grants will be accepted by fax or e-mail. Mini-grant applications are to be received, not postmarked, by 4 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2009; and mailed to MYCAP-OTTP Mini-Grant, P.O. Box 1713, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.

Counties in the North East Region include: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne.

Wound-care treatments volunteers are sought

YOUNGSTOWN — Dr. Thomas Serena Penn North Centers For Advanced Wound Care is recruiting patients in the Youngstown area to participate in a new investigational research study seeking to find a new treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a dangerous condition that restricts blood flow as the result of narrowing of arteries, especially for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. In advanced stages, PAD can lead to amputation and in extreme cases, even death, said Dr. Serena.

People who want more information, including scheduling an interview with the medical director for the study, may call (847) 919-1005.

Smoking, weight programs

GREENVILLE, Pa. — The UPMC Horizon Wellness Center is offering programs to help people stop smoking and to lose weight. They are:

UA five-session smoking cessation class: Jan. 19 through Feb. 16. The class, offered by the UPMC Health Enhancement Program, meets from noon to 1 p.m. The fee is $27 and participants must register before Jan. 15.

UThe “Lifestyle Balance Program,” a 12-week program to help participants reach weight loss goals without dieting: Begins Jan. 21, participants can choose between sessions from noon to 1 p.m. or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The fee is $50, or $36 for Wellness Center members and corporate partner employees. For more information or to register, call (724) 588-3001. The UPMC Horizon Wellness Center is located at 26 Conneaut Lake Road.

Stroke center approved

YOUNGSTOWN — St. Elizabeth Health Center has received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for primary stroke centers. A primary stroke center must offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary team designated for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements and guidelines for stroke care.

Scholarships at UPMC

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Scholarship applications, available to traditional and non-traditional students in the health care field from the UPMC Horizon Greenville Auxiliary, will be accepted until March 1. Application forms have been distributed to guidance offices in the Commodore Perry, Conneaut Lake, Greenville, Jamestown, Lakeview, Linesville, Mercer and Reynolds school districts and to Keystone Charter School. Applications also are available at the Sunny Horizon Gift Shop, located at UPMC Horizon’s Greenville campus.

Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent with at least a 2.5 grade point average; live within the service area of UPMC Horizon’s Greenville campus; and be accepted to a two- or four-year college or university with a major in an allied health program. For more information, call (724) 588-3018.