Citizen
from Assemblyman
Tom O’Mara
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Senior Citizen |
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Consumer Report
from Assemblyman Tom O’Mara |
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| Long-Term Care Insurance for Peace of Mind |
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The New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care addresses one of the most serious problems facing our health care system - how to provide long-term health care for senior citizens without depleting their life savings. The program combines private, long-term care insurance and Medicaid to help New Yorkers prepare financially for the possibility of needing nursing home or home health care. It allows older persons to protect their assets while remaining eligible for Medicaid, if their income qualifies them and the long-term care needs exceed the period covered by their insurance policy. To determine if a long-term care insurance policy would be beneficial, several factors need to be considered, including age, health and financial situation. Not everyone is eligible for this type of insurance, and some individuals don’t need it. However, when appropriate, a policy for long-term care services can help seniors maintain independence, financial stability and dignity if a chronic or disabling condition occurs. For details on the partnership, call the state Insurance Department’s toll-free telephone number at (800) 342-3736, or visit the agency’s Web site at www.ins.state.ny.us. |
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| When a Serious Illness Occurs... |
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Seriously ill patients and caregivers can obtain valuable information through a toll-free telephone number and Web site address established this year by the state Insurance Department. The services provide guidance on the health care rights of New Yorkers, and how to exercise those rights to ensure proper access to health insurance coverage. The information can be very helpful, especially when individuals or members of their family face a serious illness. The new Web site offers important details, including a review of questions that individuals should ask their insurance company and physician, information on individuals’ rights if they are denied coverage, and a list of documents to have available for doctor visits and hospital stays. For more information, call the Insurance Department’s toll-free hot line at (866) 694-6743, or visit the agency’s Web site at www.insurancehelpny.com. |
| School Tax Relief for Homeowners |
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More than 3 million homeowners across New York state are saving over $2 billion each year as a result of the School Tax Relief (STAR) Program established in 1997 by the state Legislature and Gov. George Pataki. Available to residents who own and live in their one-, two- or three-family homes, STAR is designed to provide a partial exemption from school property taxes. The Enhanced STAR exemption is available for the primary residence of senior citizens age 65 and older with yearly incomes not exceeding the statewide ceiling, which for the 2004-05 fiscal year is $64,750. For qualifying seniors, Enhanced STAR works by exempting the first $50,000 of the full value of their home from school property taxes. 
For property owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years of age by December 31 of the year in which the homeowner will begin to qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption. (Regardless of age or income, homeowners are eligible for the Basic STAR exemption of the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes.) For more information on the STAR Program, contact your local assessor’s office, call the toll-free number of the New York state Office of Real Property Services at (888) 697-8275, or visit the agency’s Web site at www.orps.state.ny.us. |
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Unclaimed Funds Could Be Yours |
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Have you ever forgotten to cash your check? Or perhaps left a job without going back for your final paycheck? Or moved without notifying everyone with whom you do business of your new address? If so, your unclaimed money or inactive account may have been turned over to the New York state Office of the State Comptroller, which is legally responsible for holding such funds until they are claimed by their rightful owners or heirs. State law requires banks, insurance companies, utilities and other businesses to turn over to the state dormant savings accounts, unclaimed insurance and stock dividends, and other inactive holdings. If there has been no activity in an account for a set period of time (usually between two and five years), then the money is considered unclaimed or abandoned. If you think New York state is holding money for you, and you can provide proof of ownership, the money will be returned to you without charge. For further details, telephone the special toll-free hot line at (800) 221-9311, write to the Office of Unclaimed Funds, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236, or visit the agency’s Web site at www.osc.state.ny.us. |
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| Assisted Living Reforms Will Provide Seniors With Better Long-Term Care |
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When New York’s seniors need long-term care, navigating through various housing options and health care services can be overwhelming. It is important that seniors understand what each option has to offer so they may select a setting that ensures their well-being, maintains or improves their quality of life and gives peace of mind to them as well as their families. One of the options for which consumer demand is increasing is assisted living facilities. These facilities allow individuals to remain in residential, home-like settings while receiving supportive services and health-related care as needed. The growth and appeal of assisted living has become a national trend because it enables seniors to receive the assistance they may need while maintaining a lifestyle comparable to being in their own homes. Assisted living residences in New York state are required to be licensed and meet specific quality and operational standards. Because of these new requirements, New York seniors now can make more informed decisions about their care and housing, encourage development of assisted living facilities across the state, and hold providers accountable for the services they provide our seniors. These assisted living reforms will help ensure that seniors receive the highest quality care they deserve. More importantly, it shows New York’s commitment to helping seniors live better and longer lives. |
| Assemblyman Tom O’Mara Wants to Help You Save Money with NYS Prescription Program |
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As a way of helping senior citizens pay for their prescription drugs, New York state established the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program, which since its inception has saved enrollees almost $1.5 billion in pharmaceutical costs. State residents can join EPIC if they are 65 years of age or older and have an annual income of $35,000 or less if single, or $50,000 or less if married. Seniors who receive full Medicaid benefits or have other more comprehensive prescription drug coverage are not eligible for EPIC benefits. To receive EPIC benefits, seniors enroll in one of two plans. The fee plan is available to seniors in the lower-income levels, and enrollees pay a quarterly fee of between $2 and $75, based on income. Under the deductible plan, which is available to seniors in the higher-income brackets, enrollees pay for the full cost of their prescriptions until they reach an annual deductible. The deductibles range from $530 to $1,715 per year, based on income. Once they reach their deductible, they pay only a co-payment on their prescriptions for the remainder of the coverage year. Enrollees in the fee plan and those enrolled in the deductible plan who have met their annual deductible would pay only $3 for a prescription normally costing up to $15; $7 for a prescription costing between $15 and $35; $15 for a prescription costing between $35 and $55; and $20 for a prescription costing over $55. For an application form or more information about the program, call EPIC’s toll-free hot line at (800) 332-3742. Applications also are available at many pharmacies and medical offices. |
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| Tired of Annoying Phone Calls? |
Most people have experienced annoying sales calls that interrupt dinner or otherwise invade their privacy. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to high-pressure sales pitches from telemarketers. To stop unwanted sales calls and help protect consumers, New York state in 2001 established the Do Not Call Registry, which prohibits telemarketers from making unsolicited phone calls to anyone listed on it. Telemarketing firms can be fined up to $5,000 if they call a home listed on the Do Not Call Registry. There is now a national Do Not Call Registry, managed by the Federal Trade Commission, to which were added the names of New York residents previously listed on the state registry. Under provisions of federal regulations, placing your phone number on the national registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls. Calls on behalf of charities, political organizations and telephone surveyors still are permitted. If you have not already been listed and would like to be, you can call the National Do Not Call Registry’s toll-free number at (888) 382-1222, or visit the registry’s Web site at www.donotcall.gov. There is no fee to register. |
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