Welcome to Medicare program available to Schuyler County residents

Schuyler County residents can learn about Medicare, and all its parts, to assist them in their initial enrollment decisions.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) National Technical Assistance Center, is hosting a national, online “Welcome to Medicare” for people getting ready to retire, new to Medicare, and/or their caregivers on June 23, 2021, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET.

There will be presentations, pre-recorded educational videos, materials available for download, and virtual exhibits.

To register, click here.

Schuyler County offers Medicare 101 classes

This class will be held virtually, in a Zoom classroom setting. For more information, or to register, please contact the Schuyler County Office for the Aging.

Schuyler County officials warn seniors of “grandparents scam,” other frauds

Schuyler County Office for the Aging Director Tamre Waite and Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman are warning area seniors that the “grandparents scam” and other frauds may be making the rounds of the area.

At least several local residents have reported being a victim of the grandparents scam, in which the scammer calls or emails the victim posing as a relative, usually a grandchild, in distress or someone claiming to represent the grandchild (such as a lawyer or police officer), they said.  

“The scammer tells the victim he or she is in trouble and needs the victim to wire them funds or send a prepaid debit card that will allegedly be used for bail money, lawyer’s fees, hospital bills or another expense,” Getman said.  “The caller adds enough details to make the story seem believable.  Sometimes, the caller begs the victim ‘please don’t tell my parents.’”

The scam resurfaces every few years in various communities throughout the country, he noted.  Scammers often mine emails, Facebook and other social media for the necessary information to pose as the grandchild, Getman explained.

Often, the scammer works with a partner, Waite said, who gets on the phone and pretends to be an authority figure, with instructions on where to send payment.

“Grandparents will do anything for grandchildren, so they’re a vulnerable target,” Waite said.  “These scammers are very good at playing on our emotions.”

Waite and Getman said the scam can avoided with a few simple steps:

·      Beware of any urgent solicitation of funds, especially if it is needed to pay for unexpected bills, such as bail money, lawyer’s fees, or doctor bills, especially if it comes late at night;

·      Beware of requests to send debit cards or wire money, as these are scam artists’ payment method of choice;

·      Verify the person’s identity by asking questions someone else couldn’t possibly answer, such as the name and species of the grandchild’s first pet;

·      Before sending funds, independently contact the grandchild or another relative at their regular phone number to verify the details of the story;

·      Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and safeguard your email by using antivirus and anti-spyware software;

Seniors who have been victims of this scam, or who suspect a call is a scam should immediately report it to local law enforcement.

Other scams that may be targeting the area, Waite and Getman said, involve fraudulent Social Security  and Medicare calls.

“We are also receiving reports from individuals who have been the target of Social Security and Medicare scams,” Waite said.  

“Apparently callers are targeting Medicare recipients telling them that their Medicare card has been suspended and must be reactivated and in order to do so, they must pay a fee,” she explained.  

“They then tell the person they must provide their social security number and payment information. As another fear factor, they are telling people that their assets will be frozen until this is cleared up. People are complying out of fear they will lose their coverage.”

Getman warned seniors to be suspicious of any calls that seek personal information over the telephone.

“If you are a beneficiary of Social Security or Medicare, be aware these agencies do not call you to ask you to disclose financial information to get a new card,” he explained.  “Never give out your Medicare number or any other personal information to someone you don’t know.”

“When in doubt, hang up,” Getman said.  “Legitimate government agencies will usually follow up with a written request.”

Waite and Getman said Medicare consumers who provided information to these callers should review Medicare statements closely and call 1-800-MEDICARE or 877-272-8720 immediately if they see anything unusual or suspicious. They may also contact their local law enforcement agencies.

The Schuyler County Office for the Aging was established as a result of the Older Americans Act of 1965 with the core function being provision of information, referrals and services for county residents age 60 and over, as well as their caregivers.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government, including the Office for the Aging, Department of Social Services Adult Protective Unit and other county agencies serving the senior population.

For more information on avoiding tricks and scams, click here.

Schuyler County residents can talk Medicare

On Wednesday, July 18, Schuyler County residents can find out answers to their Medicare questions.

"Let's talk Medicare" will be held at the Harvest Cafe Lounge, 224 East Main Street, Montour Falls, New York, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Come and have a cup of coffee and bring your Medicare questions. You will also be able to discuss programs that could save you money on your Medicare, such as Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help and EPIC.

The event is free, but RSVP is suggested. Please call the Schuyler County Office for the Aging at 607.535.7108 to register or for more information.

Seniors: Beware of Medicare Scam Calls

From CNN:

In an effort to help protect the elderly from identity theft, the federal government started mailing new cards that come with a new 11-digit identification number instead of an enrollee's Social Security number. The cards will be sent automatically to Medicare's roughly 59 million participants over the next year. Seniors should be sure their addresses are up to date with the Social Security Administration....

Though the effort is designed to help minimize fraud, it has sparked a series of scams. Medicare wants enrollees to know that they don't have to do anything to receive their cards (as long as their address is correct), and there is no activation process or fee. Also, Medicare will never initiate calls and ask to verify information over the phone.

According to AARP:

Scammers posing as Medicare representatives have already been calling beneficiaries demanding a processing fee. Other fraudsters are telling beneficiaries that they are owed a refund from transactions on their old card and then asking for bank account information to process the reimbursement. Medicare will never ask an enrollee for a bank account number, and no refunds are owed.

The New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud offers this advice:

• Just hang up. Medicare won’t phone you about the cards. They’re also free, and nor do seniors have to report or verify info to Medicare;
• Sign up for an alert that Medicare has mailed your new card; and
• Destroy your old Medicare card when your new card arrives.

Schuyler County Medicare Informational Session January 27

Are you turning 65 in 2018? Turning 65 but you're still working?

Retiring and not sure what you need for insurance?

Come and ask your questions at the Schuyler County Medicare Information Session.

This will be an informal question and answer session in regards to Medicare.

The session will be held Saturday, January 27, from 10:00 am to Noon at the Silver Spoon Cafe, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls, New York.

RSVP is required. You can register for this event by calling (607) 535-7108.

For more information, click here.

Let's talk Medicare

Schuyler County to offer Medicare 101

These classes are open to anyone and provide participants with basic knowledge of Medicare. If you are caregiver, social worker, Medicare recipient or just planning for retirement this is an excellent opportunity.

Schuyler County to offer "Medicare 101" class