NCBAM Helps Older Adults Locate Vaccine Providers

NCRGEA Staff on February 8, 2021

NCBAM Helps Older Adults Locate Vaccine Providers

Information and Referral Specialists at North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry’s (NCBAM) Call Center are available to help older adults 65+ locate COVID-19 vaccination providers, transportation assistance, and other community resources related to the pandemic. The NCBAM Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (877.506.2226).

Call Center Director Melanie Beeson explains, “The state does a good job of linking all its programs and resources on the Internet. But many older adults don’t own computers or they are not skilled at navigating the web. We help by accessing the regularly updated resources provided by North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services as well as other state programs that may be available in certain communities.” For example, in addition to assisting callers locate vaccination providers and transportation assistance, NCBAM Call Center staff can advise callers how to connect with the state’s COVID Support Services Program which is currently available in 29 counties to help people successfully quarantine.

NCBAM’s Call Center also reaches out to Baptist churches to help with special needs in their communities. Recently, a 79-year-old Boone resident phoned the Call Center. Beeson explains, “His driveway was covered in snow the day before his vaccination appointment. We can’t always find volunteers so quickly, but thankfully, an ASU student was able to clear the driveway and the man got his vaccination. We were all very grateful, and so was the caller. His wife made cookies for the student as thanks.”

NCBAM’s director, Dr. Sandy C. Gregory, maintains strong partnerships with North Carolina’s Aging Services Network. Says Gregory, “More than a million North Carolinians are at highest risk for complications and death from COVID-19. Now more than ever, NCBAM wants to do everything possible to assist in meeting their needs and obtaining vaccinations.”

CONSUMER ALERT – Don’t Fall for Tax Scammers this Tax Season

NCRGEA Staff on February 5, 2021

CONSUMER ALERT – Don’t Fall for Tax Scammers this Tax Season

As tax season rolls around, our office tends to see an increase in scams that compromise people’s W-2 information.

In some of these scams, a person who works in their company’s human resources or payroll department receives a spoofed email from the CEO or a top executive requesting W-2 or other personal employee information. In other scams, you might receive an email or a phone call from a person claiming to be from the IRS, asking for income verification information or other tax data.

Be very careful about how you share your tax-related information, and follow these tips to avoid scams:

  • Verify that the message is authentic. If the sender is someone you know, call them and confirm that they actually sent the message. If you’re not familiar with the sender, don’t respond and report the email to your company’s IT department and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • Beware of scammers posing as the IRS and demanding tax payments over the phone. If you get a call from someone claiming to work with a government agency, chances are he or she is a crook. Unless you have received written communication from the IRS that outlines your tax debt, the IRS is unlikely to call you to collect. Ask them for the caller’s name and identification number. Then, hang up, look up the agency’s telephone number and call the agency directly to confirm the information. Also, if anyone demands you make immediate payments using gift cards, money orders, or wire transfers, hang up the phone – it’s a scam.
  • Guard your personal information. Identity thieves can use your Social Security number to take out loans, open credit cards or even collect your tax refund. Remember, email is vulnerable to hackers, so avoid emailing your Social Security number or other confidential information to a tax preparer or accountant. If you’re using a website to file your taxes, make sure your information is secure by looking for the lock icon on the address bar.
  • Watch out for tax refund thieves who file returns in your name and collect your money. If you receive a notice or letter from the IRS indicating that more than one tax return was filed in your name, respond immediately to the IRS employee whose contact information was provided.

Report email or phone scams and suspicious messages to our office’s Consumer Protection Division by filing a consumer complaint online or calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. If you are a victims of a security breach, learn more about how to minimize the damage at ncdoj.gov/idtheft.

 

Medicare Costs at a Glance

NCRGEA Staff on November 17, 2020

Medicare costs at a glance

Listed below are basic costs for people with Medicare. If you want to see and compare costs for specific health care plans, visit the Medicare Plan Finder.

For specific cost information (like whether you’ve met your Deductible, how much you’ll pay for an item or service you got, or the status of a Claim), log into your secure Medicare account.

Find out if Medicare covers a specific test, item or service that’s not listed under the detailed Medicare cost information section of this page.

2020 & 2021 costs at a glance
Part A premium Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A (sometimes called “premium-free Part A“). If you buy Part A, you’ll pay up to $458 each month in 2020 ($471 in 2021). If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $458 ($471 in 2021). If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $252 ($259 in 2021).
Part A hospital inpatient deductible and coinsurance You pay:

  • $1,408 ($1,484 in 2021) deductible for each benefit period
  • Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
  • Days 61-90: $352 ($371 in 2021) coinsurance per day of each benefit period
  • Days 91 and beyond: $704 ($742 in 2021) coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
  • Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs
Part B premium The standard Part B premium amount is $144.60 ($148.50 in 2021) (or higher depending on your income).
Part B deductible and coinsurance $198 ($203 in 2021). After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services (including most doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient), outpatient therapy, and Durable medical equipment (DME)
Part C premium The Part C monthly Premium varies by plan. Compare costs for specific Part C plans.
Part D premium The Part D monthly Premium varies by plan (higher-income consumers may pay more). Compare costs for specific Part D plans.

Detailed Medicare cost information for 2020 & 2021