Betty Berry - Senior Advocate

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 28, 2009  Q: I am planning to bring my mother here to Thousand Oaks and beginning to look at various types of housing and frankly I am most confused. Is there any one place I can go to get this information?

A: Housing is a very complex subject. It is more than a place to live. Consideration must be given to cost as well as whether the person seeking housing can live independently or if some type of assistance is needed.

There are several organizations that...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 21, 2009 

Q: My friends and I have been discussing long-term-care insurance and have differing views as to whether we should or should not purchase such coverage. We don’t feel informed enough about other options or the selections needed to be made to purchase a policy. Can you provide some basic information?

A: The decision to purchase long-term-care insurance is very important and one that shouldn’t be made in a hurry. There is no right or wrong answer. Each...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 14, 2009   Q: My husband was considered disabled by his employer yet when he applied for Social Security disability he was turned down. Can you provide an explanation?

A: It is not unusual for a person to be turned down when first applying for Social Security disability. Perhaps Social Security just needs some additional information. I always suggest appealing the decision. You have 60 days from the time you receive the letter.

Not all disability programs are alike, and eligibility for various programs depends on that program’s definition of “disability.” Some programs will pay for partial disability or short-term disability. Social Security does not.

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By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 7, 2009  

Q: I have read that many health problems and trips to the hospital are the result of incorrect handling or taking of medications. Could you address the importance of understanding how to handle and take medicines?

A: Now might be the perfect time to address this subject because most seniors have just completed an annual review of their medications to determine if they needed to change insurance carriers for Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

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By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 31, 2008 

Q: Each year there are changes in Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Could you recap these changes for 2009 so I have them all in one place?

A: I would be happy to. These changes take effect tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 1.

First let’s mention the Social Security cost-of-living increase in your January check. The increase is 5.8 percent and the largest in many, many years. The average increase will be $63.

In 2009, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) that is deducted from your Social Security check will again be based on your adjusted gross income taken from your 2007 income tax return.

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By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 24, 2008 

Q: My mother is considering moving to California from another state, and I will be helping her make that move. I need to know what steps I should take to make sure her Social Security benefits will be properly transferred.

A: Prompt notification of a change of address always helps make a smooth transition, and notifying Social Security of a change is basically no different.

You didn't indicate whether your mother receives her Social Security...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Q: I am attempting to help an elderly relative select healthcare coverage. I am so confused and I can't believe a senior is required to understand all of the options available. I have run into Medicare, MediCal, Medicad, Medi/Medi, Medigap and Managed Care. Everything starts with "m" and they all sound alike. Can you help a nonsenior make sense of this?

A: At first glance, this may seem to be overwhelming, but I think that I can provide some definitions...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 10, 2008   Q: It seems like I've been renewing my license by mail forever and now I have a notice telling me the current renewal must be at the DMV office. I'm wondering, why? Also, I'm sure I'll be required to take a written test and, to say the least, I'm nervous. Any suggestions for success?

A: Very few people look forward to taking any kind of test so you are not alone in your concerns. You've asked two very good questions that I'll try to answer.

Many...

Q: There is a chance my dad will need to go into a skilled nursing facility, and I've been told that Medicare might pay the costs. Do you know under what conditions this would occur?

A: The reason for your dad's stay in a skilled nursing facility will determine whether or not Medicare will cover the cost. There are three types of care an individual can receive in a skilled nursing facility. They are skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy and custodial care. Medicare coverage applies only to skilled...

Q: My dilemma has to do with when you should enroll in Medicare. My friends have their own interpretations of when you must enroll. Some say it's 65, others say when you reach full retirement age and others say you don't have to sign up as long as you continue to work. Is there a right answer?

A: Let me assure you that this particular question causes a dilemma for many, and friends and relatives mean well when they answer your questions based on when they were required to enroll in Medicare.

To...