Dear Neighbor, SENIOR SERVICE NUMBERS TO ASSIST YOU STATE SENATOR The challenges we faced in 2020 were unlike any other as we dealt with (and continue to deal with) the impact of COVID-19 Adult Home Help/Chore Services ...... (800) 292-2550 Long-Term Care Ombudsman ...... (866) 485-9393 in our communities. Despite this immense challenge that has touched all of our lives, I hope this newsletter fi nds you and your Adult Protective Services Michigan Stroke Network ...... (866) 522-8676 ERIKA GEISS families as safe and healthy as possible as we move through the for reports of suspected abuse and neglect ...... (855) 444-3911 Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ...... (800) 642-4838 start of a new year. Attorney General National Alliance on Mental Illness ...... (810) 232-6498 WORKING FOR YOU Consumer Protection Division, for cases of identity theft ...... (877) 765-8388 Nursing Home Complaints...... (800) 882-6006 Michigan seniors have earned the right to enjoy their retirement Offi ce of Elder Abuse ...... (800) 242-2873 Relay Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ...... 7-1-1 and future with dignity and fi nancial security. As your State Bridge Card (EBT) – Customer Service ...... (888) 678-8914 Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention ...... (517) 372-6666 Senator, my goal is to make sure you can spend these COVID-19 Hotline ...... (888) 535-6136 Social Security Administration ...... (800) 772-1213 unprecedented times focusing on what matters most to you, and Disability Ombudsman ...... (800) 288-5923 State SSI Supplement ...... (800) 481-4774 I’m working hard in Lansing to ensure that you get the stability Domestic Violence Hotline ...... (800) 799-7233 Substance Abuse Hotline ...... (800) 662-4357 and access to resources that you deserve. Elder Care Services ...... (800) 677-1116 Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline ...... (800) 273-8255 If you have any questions, concerns or just want to share your Elder of Michigan, Inc...... (866) 400-9164 TAX statements for Adult Home Help ...... (800) 292-2550 thoughts or suggestions for how to make the 6th Senate District Energy Assistance ...... 2-1-1 The Emergency Food Assistance Program ...... (734) 721-4470 the best it can be, please call my offi ce at (517) 373-7800, or Food Assistance ...... (855) 275-6424 THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund ...... (800) 866-THAW (8429) toll-free at 855-DIST006 (855-347-8006). Home Heating Tax Credit Status ...... (517) 636-4486 The Senior Alliance Area Agency on Aging 1-C ...... (734) 722-2830 Medicaid Customer Help ...... (800) 642-3195 Volunteers of America Michigan ...... (248) 945-0101 Working for You, Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) ...... (800) 803-7174 Wayne County Medicare, includes Part D for pharmacy ...... (888) 633-4227 Health Department ...... (734) 727-7100 Website: | Medicare Savings Program ...... (800) 772-1213 Meals on Wheels ...... (734) 727-7357 SenatorGeiss.com MI Enrolls – Medicaid Managed Care ...... (888) 367-6557 Senior Services ...... (734) 326-5202 or (800) 851-1454 Email: [email protected] Erika Geiss Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Veterans Services ...... (313) 224-5045 State Senator Medicaid Benefi ciary Support ...... (800) 642-3195 Toll-free: (855) DIST006 or (855) 347-8006 6th District

Home Heating Help In the dead of winter, heating bills can become a burden that cause many to struggle just to keep their house warm but, fortunately, The Heat and Warmth (THAW) Fund can help. THAW has multiple utility assistance programs available, Meals on Wheels including affordable payment plans for customers of DTE’s Low Income Self-Suffi ciency Plan (LSP) and the Consumers As a community, it’s important for us to support our older loved ones who, after a lifetime of hard Energy Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE) work, continue to give back so much and serve as the backbone of our neighborhoods. If you are plan. They also offer resources for utility payment assistance a senior, or if you know of someone who is, and are living on a fi xed income and struggling to pay and/or state emergency relief. for nutritious food due to expensive prescription drug costs, rising utility rates, increased rent, and See which you may qualify for at more, please know that Meals on Wheels can help. THAWFund.org/Programs or call (800) 866-THAW (8429). Meals on Wheels helps senior citizens eat nutritious meals by providing fi ve per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food In addition, here are some helpful phone numbers if you and who have a prescription from their physician. have questions about your heating bill: To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be: • DTE Energy: (800) 477-4747 • SEMCO Energy: (800) 624-2019 • 60 years of age or older; • Water & Sewerage Department: (313) 267-8000 • Homebound (e.g., unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive); • Consumers Energy: (800) 477-5050 • Unable to cook for oneself; • Michigan Gas Utilities: (800) 401-6402 • Have no one willing or available to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,

• Able to feed oneself. EG0121

For more information and to determine whether you are or a loved one is eligible for 48909 MI Lansing,

Meals on Wheels, contact: 30036 Box P.O. Erika Geiss Erika

Wayne County Meals on Wheels | 30712 Michigan Ave., Westland, MI 48186 | (734) 727-7357 Senator State WAYNE COUNTY Protect Yourself from COVID-19 Information & Resources SENIOR RESOURCES Our health care professionals and public servants have been hard at work since the Wayne County Senior Services The Senior Alliance (TSA) – Friendly Reassurance Program Medicare Scams start of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure that everyone has access to important 3600 Commerce Court, Building E The Senior Alliance’s Friendly Reassurance Program is designed to help homebound individuals The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services information and resources. Do your part to stay safe and stop the spread of this virus by Wayne, MI 48184 age 60 and older remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible by providing (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human wearing a mask when you go out, staying at least six feet apart from others, avoiding reassuring telephone calls, social support, and safety checks. This program aims to reduce Services (MDHHS) are warning seniors to protect themselves crowded indoor spaces and washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds. When (734) 326-5202 or (800) 851-1454 isolation and help program participants feel safer and more connected to their community. and their personal information from potential scams and water is unavailable, hand sanitizer containing at least 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing [email protected] high-pressure sales tactics. alcohol) also helps combat the virus that causes COVID-19. Program Services If you’re looking for information about aging Visit to fi nd the latest information, a list of Frequently • Ongoing telephone calls to a homebound individual Fraudsters posing as Medicare “representatives” are calling Michigan.gov/Coronavirus well, check out the seniors’ section of the Asked Questions, and testing sites near you. You can also call the at • The call is placed at a prearranged time each day unsuspecting consumers about their Medicare coverage and COVID-19 Hotline Wayne County Senior Services website at for information. • Calls can be made up to fi ve days a week, Monday through Friday asking for Medicare ID numbers or other personal information, (888) 535-6136 waynecounty.com/departments/seniorservices. • Calls are made by TSA trained staff such as a Social Security Number or date of birth. Once the For more information specifi c to Wayne County, contact the Wayne County Health Many resources are available for volunteering, • This service is provided at no cost scammers have this information, they can use it to make Department’s COVID-19 Public Information Line at (734) 287-7870 or go online to donations, meals, legal issues, local services, and • If the recipient does not answer the phone, a procedure of unauthorized changes to your Medicare plan. WayneCounty.com/COVID19 to learn more. other valuable information. Be sure safety checks is followed to check out their Senior Resource Directory — DIFS and MDHHS have some important tips to it has quite a bit of good information! Participant Information Download the MI COVID Alert app • Must be temporarily or permanently homebound protect yourself: As part of the state’s continued efforts to slow the increasing spread of COVID-19, the • Be age 60 or older • Never give your Medicare number or other personal free, anonymous, and voluntary MI COVID Alert app can let you know whether you’ve • Must agree to program guidelines information to an unknown caller. You are always able to get been recently exposed to COVID-19. The app works in conjunction with traditional information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. contact tracing, mask-wearing, hand washing and social distancing, but is not a Please call to learn more at . The Senior Alliance 1-800-815-1112 The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you replacement for these precautions. are actually enrolling in a plan. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, they receive a randomly generated PIN from the local health department or State of Michigan that allows them to anonymously share • Do not give out your personal information if someone calls their test results on the app. A notifi cation from the app means you were possibly within or visits your home and says they’re from Medicare. The six feet of the positive person for at least 15 minutes. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or Every Michigander is encouraged to download MI COVID Alert, which is available in the check your Medicare number. Apple and Google app stores. THE COST OF • Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to make it look ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ and seek help like they are calling from a legitimate business or government This year has been a diffi cult year for many Michiganders, which is why the Michigan agency. Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people to Be Kind to Your Mind. Confi dential counseling is available 24/7 by calling 888-535-6136 and pressing PRESCRIPTIONFor many people who need prescription drugs, the costs can be extreme, DRUGS leaving patients struggling to make diffi cult • Ignore anyone who calls saying “you must join their “8”, or residents can visit Michigan.gov/StayWell for more information and resources. budgetary decisions about basic life expenses. No one should have to ration insulin or choose which refi lls to get. prescription drug plan, or you will lose your Medicare While many of the most impactful legislative changes on controlling the cost of prescription drugs must be addressed coverage”. While it is true that there may be a penalty if you COVID Vaccines at the federal level, as a state we need to develop creative solutions. I am committed to fi nding ways to address this delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also On Dec. 11, 2020, following recommendations set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control growing issue and ensure that you have safe, affordable access to the medications you need. known as Part D), that coverage is voluntary. and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced a vaccine distribution plan and established a goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders by Here is some information that you may fi nd useful as you head to the pharmacy: • Don’t trust mailers that appear to be government the end of 2021. communications but are advertisements for private Michigan law requires pharmacies to share drug prices with consumers. • Know your rights: companies. These mailers will sometimes have a disclaimer, Distribution of the vaccine is in a phased approach — with an emphasis on both but it is buried in small print. ensuring the continued functioning of the health care system and essential services • Compare prices: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains MichiganDrugPrices.com, in the community along with protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 which allows you to compare and save money without ever stepping foot in a pharmacy. If you have questions or concerns about your Medicare coverage, illness. • Prescription discount cards: The MiRx (My Prescription) Card is a prescription drug discount program for DIFS and MDHHS urge you to contact Medicare directly at Seniors aged 65+ will be contacted through their health care provider that is affi liated No one should Michigan residents who do not have prescription drug coverage. The MiRx Card program is free; there is no Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227. with one of the hospital networks in Wayne County. It’s important that when your provider have to ration cost for the card or to enroll in the program. MiRx cardholders can take their prescription and their MiRx card to contacts you to schedule your appointment, that you keep the appointment to receive the Insurance fraud, including Medicare fraud, results in higher insulin or their local participating pharmacy, where the pharmacist will fi ll the prescription and charge the MiRx discounted vaccine. price. The discount covers any medicine the pharmacist stocks and that your doctor prescribes, except for health care costs for participants and taxpayers alike. That is why it’s so important to know how to protect your Medicare It is important for Michiganders to continue to wear masks, practice social choose which over-the-counter drugs. Visit MIHealth.org/MiRx for more detailed information. refi lls to get. card and number. If you or a loved one has experienced distancing from those not in their household, and wash their hands often, even Pharmacies often also offer free discount cards to consumers who do not have insurance or who have very high this type of scam or high-pressure tactic, contact DIFS at after receiving the vaccine. –Sen. Geiss co-pays. While these discount cards can offer signifi cant savings, it is important to be aware that companies will Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call 877-999-6442 to fi le For more information, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. sometimes use these cards as a scam to require you to pay more in the long run. a complaint.