Betty Berry - Senior Advocate

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 22, 2010  Q: We have heard over and over that we, the users of the system, should review our Medicare Summary Notices and report any errors found.

What action can we expect from the Medicare System when we make a fraud complaint? What, if anything, is done to the providers who are found guilty of fraud?

Also, I understand that the healthcare reform that has just been passed will be addressing Medicare fraud...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 15, 2010  Q: I’ve been widowed for almost two years and am considering a move. My home and yard are more than I want to continue to take care of. However, I am active and independent. I don’t need to be taken care of but at times am very lonely. I’m considering what they call retirement living. Can you provide any guidance about this?

A: I’d be delighted to tell you what I know about retirement living. It is one of the numerous alternatives the retirement housing industry...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 8, 2010  Q: My parents are very private about their finances and personal records.

Until now this hasn’t been a problem, but they are beginning to need my assistance and I don’t have the information I need to help them get the care and services they require.

Do you have any suggestions about what I should ask them to provide?

A: Your situation is not uncommon. We are all guilty to some degree of not planning for the future, which includes getting our financial...

By Betty Berry, Tue. June 1, 2010  Q: I don’t know if it is because I’m a senior, but I’m tired of receiving poor responses to problems I try to resolve. Can you make any suggestions on how to “get what you pay for?”

A: I’m sure your frustrations are shared by the general public and are not limited to senior citizens. When you find that a service or merchandise is less than acceptable, you have the right to complain.

To be effective, you need to be brief and to the point, and above all else, polite....

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, May 25, 2010  Q: I am trying to educate my parents about identity theft, but I don’t think they believe what I’m saying. Perhaps they would listen more if it came from a third party. Can you address how identify theft happens?

A: I would be glad to. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or crimes. Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to get their hands on your personal information. The...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, May 18, 2010  Q: In the past I have participated in Senior Concerns’ Love Run. It seems that this is about the time of year it usually takes place. Can you give me details for this year’s event?

A: The 17th annual Love Run is scheduled for June 6. Registration and the start of activities will take place at 3011 Townsgate Road (corner of Townsgate and Lakeview Canyon roads) in Westlake Village.

The event offers something for every member of the family. Race-day registration...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, May 11, 2010  Q: I can’t understand why they make senior healthcare coverage so difficult to understand. Plans refer to deductibles, coinsurance, copayments and share-of-cost. Are these terms interchangeable?

A: The insurance industry, like any other business, has a unique vocabulary to describe its services and fees. Going a step further, each type of coverage could also have unique words to describe the plan. The government plans that cover senior healthcare are no different.

...

By Betty Berry, April 27, 2010  Q: My friends and I are closing in on the magic age of retirement and thinking about our plans for the future. Some of us are considering retirement while others are not. We are looking for a class, workshop or seminar that might address our options. Do you know of any?

A: It is never too early to start planning for the rest of your life. Because we are living longer, millions of people can expect to live many healthy active years after reaching “retirement” age.

...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, April 20, 2010  Q: Spring is in the air, which usually means it must be time for organizations to put on fairs and expos. Do you know of anything being planned?

A: Yes. The Camarillo Council on Aging is planning a day full of fun and great information geared toward boomers, centenarians and everyone in between.

The Camarillo Senior Expo, “Living Life to its Fullest,” is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at the Camarillo Community Center and Pleasant Valley Senior...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, April 13, 2010  Q: I recently heard about a program called CarFit. Could you tell me something about this program and if it is available in Ventura County?

A: CarFit is an educational program created by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with the American Automobile Association, AARP and American Occupational Therapy Association.

The program has a 12-point checklist designed to help drivers find out how well they “fit” their automobile and offers suggestions...