As many of you know, clients are being talked into making gifts to children, who then either put the funds into an irrevocable trust or buy an annuity ‘to keep the funds safe’. They then apply for Aid and Attendance benefits but, of course, when they later need Medicaid, they are faced with a huge penalty period and extended ineligibility. DSHS will deny eligibility or deem assets to be in a constructive trust; however, often the client cannot get them back – it’s the worst of all worlds.

The agents pass themselves off as VA experts and have business entities with snappy titles. They make huge profits for advice and healthy commissions from crappy annuities sold to desperate people without any warning of the consequences of this approach. As most of you also know, the VA helps people apply for A&A without cost.

It would be helpful to the AG if people filed a complaint online at as those complaints go straight into their bank of complaints and are coordinated with similar complaints. The AG would like to find out if there are persons or families that have been approached or have been taken in as a consequence of these unethical and fraudulent practices.

There are three area codes that if you call any number in that code area,  you will get charged large sums of money on you phone bill.  So far the we have seen $70.00 charges for just few seconds of phone time.

The scam starts when a caller leaves a message that you have won a prize and to call the number for more information.  When you call the area code the person stalls you as long as they can which causes the cost to rise.

This scam has been around for a while and there have been reports of phone bills up to $1200.00 for one call.  In the past the caller would claim that one of your relatives is injured and needs help.  They ask you to call the number.  When you call you are again stalled as long as they can and put you on hold for an extended period of time while they “transfer” the call to your relative.

So far there are three area codes to watch out for.  They are 809, 876 and 284.  The area codes are out of Jamaica and seem to be set up just for the purpose of the scam.  They use collection agencies in the US to collect on the bill and they will affect your credit if the bill is not paid.

Google Maps

NEW ADDRESS:

628 W Alder Street
Shelton, WA 98584

According to reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from flu and pneumonia-related causes involve people aged 65 years and older. Flu and pneumonia shots can decrease the rate of hospitalizations and deaths from these diseases.

Flu and Pneumonia Resources 2011

Contact the Family Caregiver Resource Manager in your area.

OLYMPIA – Legislation passed during this year’s regular legislative session will help state Medicaid clients affected by a budget cut that eliminated coverage of frames, lenses and contacts from the medical assistance program this year.

Under the new law, Airway Heights’ Correctional Industries Optical center, which has been the manufacturer of vision hardware for the Medicaid program – will continue to make the items that are prescribed by Medicaid providers. The Spokane center now will charge the doctors for the actual cost of producing the glasses, and the doctors will be able to pass that same charge along to the clients.

The legislation presumes neither eye doctors nor the center will make a profit on the transactions. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of glasses.
The bill, SSB5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by Governor Gregoire on April 18.

The vision benefit budget cut was one of several cuts affecting benefits for clients of the Medicaid program ages 21 and older. Others included elimination of coverage for hearing aids and other hearing hardware, and limiting the adult dental benefit to emergency treatments for pain, infection or trauma. Persons with developmental disabilities were exempted from the original cut in the dental benefit, and the final legislative budget directed Medicaid to also restore the benefit for pregnant women later this summer.
None of the cuts affected children’s benefits, which are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.

Medicaid clients who are interested in obtaining new eyeglasses should talk to their optometrist, ophthalmologist or primary care provider for a referral to an eye doctor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Jeffery Thompson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Health Care Authority/Medicaid 360-725-1612
• Gail Kreiger, B.S.N., Medical Benefits/Clinical Review, Division of Healthcare Services, 360-725-1681
• Sharon Michael, Communications, Health Care Authority/Medicaid 360-923-2764

2011 Emergency Preparedness Expo

Where: St. Martin’s University, Marcus Pavilion & Worthington Center

When: October 29, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Contact: Vivian Eason at 360-786-5243 or easonv@co.thurston.wa.us

• All-hazards Preparedness Information
• Preparedness Demonstrations
• Vendor & Information Booths

Download a flyer.

*UPDATE 7-6-11*

• All of the SFMNP checks have been distributed for Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties.

The SFMNP provides low-income seniors with $40 in SFMNP checks to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Additional resources in the form of nutrition educational materials including recipes, nutrient values, food preparation and storage information are also provided.

Visit the page for eligibility, forms, and distribution schedule.

The entire report can be viewed on the WOW website here: http://www.wowonline.org/ourprograms/eesi/state-resources/washington.asp.

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NEW ADDRESS:

Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging
4419 Harrison Ave NW
Olympia, WA 98502

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