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North Texas Specialty Physicians Events
NTSP hosts Mind over Medicare event in Cleburne
6/29/2011
As the Medicare annual enrollment period approaches, North Texas Specialty Physicians (NTSP) wants to ensure seniors are informed and aware of the new Medicare changes affecting most beneficiaries. The second Mind-over-Medicare of the year was held for a group of 39 Johnson county seniors on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the Cleburne Conference Center in Cleburne, Texas. NTSP physician and Cleburne resident, Dr. A. Sean Dalley, provided an overview of NTSP and was available during the event to answer questions. Dr. Dalley is an internal medicine physician with Medical Clinic of North Texas (MCNT).
Melinda Gardner of North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging (NCTAAA) presented valuable information about the programs available through her organization. North Texas seniors have access to a number of services and resources through NCTAAA such as:
- Meals -home-delivered or congregate
- Transportation -curb or curb service within the county, by reservation
- Legal assistance -information about legal services, referrals to attorneys and help with legal fees
- Benefits counseling -help in understanding and apply for public and private benefits
- Money management -bill payer and representative payee services
- Care coordination -connecting to emergency response systems, medications, medical equipment and residential repair
The organization assists seniors in 14 North Texas counties including Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell and Wise counties. The NCTAAAs mission is to plan, coordinate and deliver services to persons age 60 and over and their family caregivers.
Rounding out the event was Silverback Agency Sales Director Barry Moore. He assured attendees that Medicare Advantage is alive and well and dispelled many myths and rumors about the Medicare Advantage program. His presentation also included the ABCs of Medicare and he provided important information about the 2011 Medicare changes. Key highlights from the presentation included:
New Medicare Enrollment Period dates
- 2011 Annual enrollment period -October 15 through December 7
- 2012 Annual disenrollment period -January 1 through February 14
Stars program
- Rating system that will be used to ensure Medicare Advantage plans are meeting standards. Ratings will be posted to the Medicare website to provide additional information to beneficiaries.
The next Mind-over-Medicare event is scheduled for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area. These events are free and open to the public. For more information about NTSP and to check out other resources available to Medicare patients, visit www.ntsp.com.