By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012
Q: I am interested in finding information on presentations that are of general interest. What do you see on the horizon?
A:The Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation will present its eighth Senior Congress on Feb. 1.
The seminar, “Eat, Play, Sleep: Healthy Senior Living,” focuses on how lifestyle choices lead to a happier, more healthful life in your senior years.
The program will have four segments:
Why are our choices important?
What are the pros and cons of food choices?
How do social activities benefit us?
Too much sleep? Too little sleep?
The forum will take place at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5801 Kanan Road — corner of Kanan and Lindero Canyon Road — in the Conejo Valley. Door and exhibits will open at 8:45 a.m., and the program will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Admission is free, and a light lunch will be provided. Reservations are required by Jan. 25. They may be made by email at info@clvff.org or by calling 818-880-1054. Email responses are preferred.
Q: I retired before age 65 and have health care benefits from my employer. Will this be considered a Medicaresupplement when I turn 65 and go on Medicare?
A: Since you are not yet 65, your employer-provided health benefit is your primary health care coverage. When you turn 65 and go on Medicare, any benefits from your employer will become secondary coverage but may or may not provide the same benefits as a Medicare medigap (supplemental) plan.
Employers’ retirement plans differ from the state-regulated Medicare supplemental plans. They do not necessarily provide the same services because coverage depends on the contract between the employer and the insurer.
Coverage also will vary depending upon whether the plan is a fee-for-service, managed-care or a preferred provider network.
To determine adequacy of the coverage, consider:
What will the plan pay after Medicare has paid?
Does the plan pay for services Medicare does not cover?
Will the plan cover you if you move to another city or state?
Are there annual or lifetime limits on benefits?
Is there a choice of plans?
What is the ongoing cost to you?
Read your benefits booklet or health care policy carefully because these types of plans are changing rapidly. For unsolved questions, call the employer’s human resources department.
Once an employer’s plan is given up, reinstatement is almost always impossible. Depending on what the plan offers and what the cost is, continuing the plan as well as buying a supplemental policy is sometimes advantageous.
Happenings
Sunday: Goebel’s Antiques and Collectibles Bazaar at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $5. Call 381-2744 for information.
Jan. 25: Advocate one-on-one counseling services at Moorpark Active Adult Center, 799 Moorpark Ave., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 517-6261 for information or an appointment.
Jan. 25: Seminar — “Will You Pass Your Next Driving Test?” — at Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call 583-6363 to make reservations.
