Need to Know
Review your Medicare Plan Annually
Every year, Medicare beneficiaries have at least one opportunity to change plans. Open enrollment for Medicare runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D drug plan, switch to Original Medicare, or review your current coverage. If you’re happy with your plan, you don’t need to do anything.
Checking your coverage each year is easy and worth your time. Medicare costs, benefits, and providers can change each year, and this year is no exception.
“Expect change,” says Keith Nabb, owner of Affordable Medicare Solutions and an insurance broker for 30 years. “Medicare is not ‘set it and forget it.’ It evolves.”
And this year is no different. The changes we know about so far include a slight increase in the maximum out-of-pocket amount for prescription drugs, from $2,000 to $2,100. However, beneficiaries can now spread out drug costs into monthly payments, much like utilities’ balanced billing plans.
Insurance companies will see an approximate five percent increase in what the government pays them for Medicare Advantage plans. However, Nabb says many Advantage plans expanded their benefit offerings in 2023 and 2024, which have turned out to be unsustainable. Medicare had allowed the expansion to see if it would produce better health outcomes.
The expansions “offered too much dental, too much transportation, free groceries,” Nabb explained. “Now they are dialing back for 2025 and probably 2026. There will still be plenty of options but there will be a decrease in the allowances for some of the extra benefits related to dental, vision, groceries, etc.”
SHIP is a Resource
Georgia SHIP is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, a volunteer-based program that’s administered locally by the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA). It provides free and unbiased information on Medicare, Medicaid, and other related health insurance.
“We do the same thing that an insurance broker does except that we don’t sell and are not licensed to sell insurance,” explains Louise Platter, Benefits Counseling Coordinator at ACCA. “We can help with comparing plans, with appeals or with a problem getting a service covered. We’re glad to give second opinions. We can help with anything in the Medicare world, including financial assistance to reduce Medicare out-of-pocket expenses.”
Platter notes that anyone can use their services–“You don’t have to be a client of ACCA.” However, the program, which is funded through two grants, state and federal, does have substantial outreach requirements in surrounding rural counties.
Eighty percent of seniors get their information about Medicare from advertising. Platter warns of a variety of misleading marketing information or outright scams.
“You don’t have to deal with that,” she advises. “Tell them you’re happy with what you have or you’re getting help somewhere else.”
For more information, call ACCA at 706-549-4850, or Affordable Medicare Solutions at 770-945-5261.
Good to Know
Wreaths Across America
Over 1,200 American veterans, including Revolutionary-era soldiers, are buried at Oconee Hill Cemetery, and for the third year, the Friends of Oconee Hill Cemetery have organized Wreaths Across America at the cemetery. The group’s goal is to lay a wreath at each veteran’s grave, which will cost $21,000, given that each wreath costs $17. Wreaths Across America is a 501c3 organization so donations are tax deductible. The wreath laying will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13 and they will remain in place through the first week of the new year.
The deadline to donate is Nov. 1; for a donation form, email oconeehillwreathsacrossamerica@gmail.com.
Community Works Oconee
A new volunteer group, Community Works, has started in Oconee County, with the stated goal of “bring neighbors together to make a real difference where it’s needed most.”
The group hopes to make it easier for people to find volunteer opportunities that match their interests and schedules, whether it’s mentoring kids, planting flowers or doing office work for a nonprofit. People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to join. For more information, check out the Facebook page, Community Works Oconee, GA or reach out by sending an email to CworksOC@gmail.com.
Openly Old
Doug Monroe, occasional writer for Boom Athens and former columnist for UPI, the AJC, Atlanta Magazine and Creative Loafing, has started a Substack newsletter call, “Doug Monroe’s OPENLY OLD.” He says he will post every other week about his experience with aging with the hope of helping others. The newsletter ranges from humor to horror. The Substack address is openlyold.substack.com.
Kids First Needs Volunteers
The nonprofit ministry, Kids First needs volunteers to tutor and mentor Monday through Thursday, from 3 – 5 p.m. at 1225 College Station Road. No experience is necessary; training is provided. Volunteers will also have to complete a background check and child safety training. For more information, visit kidsfirstfam.com.
A Memory Café
The Area Agency on Aging, part of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, holds a Memory Café every first Monday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon at Georgia Square Mall (Main Entrance, #112). The event provides activities and socialization for those with dementia and their caregivers. For more information, email Katrina Ogbe at kogbe@negrc.org.
Fun to Do
Draw, Write, or Listen
“Music in the House,” a new quarterly series at the Lyndon House Arts Center is scheduled for Oct. 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Designed to bring together live music and creative expression, the program invites community members of all ages to gather, draw the musicians, write or simply listen and enjoy the music. Easels and writing tables will be set up so bring your sketchbook, journal or just your curiosity. Tracy Brown and Jeff Lustig will be performing – this is a free program made possible by the support of Leara Rhodes.
Open for Business!
The Athens Library Store, operated by the Friends of the Library, has re-opened after a summer soft launch. The fall schedule has expanded to Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Highlights include, coffee and baked goods, a selection of used books that change weekly, local art, and book-inspired gifts. Staffed by volunteers, all proceeds benefit the library.
New Art at the Bogue
After you stop by the Library Store, go upstairs and visit the Bogue Gallery where there’s always a revolving exhibit. From now through Nov. 2, the exhibit on display is, “Two Paths: The Art of Denise Sain Burns and Van Alex Burns.” It includes paintings, drawings, and cartoons by Van and ceramic sculpture by Denise.
25-26 Athens Community Theater Line-Up
Town & Gown, Athens longest running, all-volunteer community theater company, has announced their season line-up. It includes The Shadow Box, Oct. 3-12; Winter in Boulevard, Dec. 5-14, Mad Scientists in Love, Feb. 6-15, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, April 10-19, She Loves Me, June 5-14, and Antigone, Aug. 7-16. For ticket information, go to townandgownplayers.org/tickets.
YUM! A Chicken Festival
Gainesville’s 20th annual Chicken Festival is set for Oct. 18 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park from 11 to 4 p.m. with free parking along with shuttles. The barrier-free venue has covered eating areas and restrooms. Twelve plus pitmasters will be competing for the People’s Choice Awards, and a wing-eating contest is on the schedule again this year. There will be music, crafts, and a kid’s zone.
Showcase of Homes
The Lake Oconee Showcase of Homes is set for Saturday, Oct. 25, featuring a tour of six homes within the Reynolds Lake Oconee community and an online auction running from Oct. 20 – 26.
Funds raised support the Greene County Habitat for Humanity. Since 2018, the funds raised have helped build 16 new homes and rehabilitate 8. For more information, LakeOconeeShowcaseofHomes.org.
Author Talk
Jeannette Rankin biographer, Lorissa Rinehart, will speak at the UGA Special Collections Library on Nov. 18, at 3 to 5p.m. Rankin was the first woman elected to congress in 1916. As her first act, she introduced the legislation that would become the 19th amendment and gave voting rights to women. Rinehart’s new biography, “Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress,” hits the bookstores in November and Athens will be one of her first stops. The Jeannette Rankin Foundation was established here 50 years ago, next year, to provide support for women over 35 to get their college degrees or other further education.
Winter Choral Concert
The Meridian Women’s Chorus has set the date for their winter concert, entitled “Tapestry: Dreams of Winter.” It will be on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Guest musicians include the Athens Recorder Ensemble, the First Cello Club of Athens, Oconee County High School OC A CAPPELLA, Lisa Bartholow, Tim Bartholow, Will Taylor, and Jazmyn Trujillo. Free and open to the public although donations are gratefully accepted.
Athens Symphony Concerts
The all-volunteer Athens Symphony will kick off its 48th year of free concerts at the Classic Center on Sunday, Nov. 2, with its fall concert: “Don’t Worry About the Destination,” featuring selections from Tom and Jerry and the Star Wars Suite. The Christmas Concerts are scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 13 and 14, with spirited symphonic works and timeless carols. For more information, go to athenssymphony.org.
