Northwest is source for Part D information

Stop! Stop! Stop and get on board and join the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

May 15 is coming soon. Unless you have "credible coverage," if you do not sign up by this date, you will be assessed 1 percent per month as an additional premium expense.

Stop listening to insurance companies that say "If you are confused about Medicare Part D call us" - this is only a sales pitch. They are hoping you call their insurance company.

People with low incomes can get help in paying for co-pays and premiums for Part D. There are many plans including those with a deductible and those without, but most insurance companies will have a co-pay for each drug you buy. The best thing is to find out which company offers the drugs you need. Call one of the eight Minnesota Senior Federation region offices. Northwest's is in Thief River Falls. We will send you information so you can make your own choice.

If you take a lot of prescriptions, you should consider a program that has no deductible or donut hole. If you take fewer medications, you might consider a program with a low premium.

No one at the Minnesota Senior Federation can choose a Part D plan for you - we can only offer you information.

Myra Nesland, secretary

Hibbing is site of North Star Convention

It is April already and time for North Star Region's 32nd Annual Regional Convention, which is later this year because of Easter. It will be held at the Hibbing Park Hotel on Highway 169 in Hibbing on April 21 with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Coffee An' will be available during registration and there will be a number of vendor booths to browse. Cost the convention and lunch is $15; reservations are required. Those wishing to attend the business session only without lunch may register at the door for $5. The convention committee has selected a doctor to be keynote speaker.

For assistance on Medicare Part D, call me at 218/749-2912 (800/662-5711) ext. 202 and I will provide a phone number for you to call. We have three trained personnel helping in three of our counties: Jeanne Ogilvie in St. Louis, Betsy Johnson in Itasca and Karen Tveit in Koochiching.

At our February meeting, it was approved to have a sunshine committee on a six-month trial basis. Volunteers will send greetings to those who need to know we are thinking of them. If you know of a Federation member we should remember, call me at the numbers listed in the previous paragraph.

The May 12 delegate assembly meeting will be at Virginia Senior Center, 511 Chestnut St., Virginia. I hope to see you there.

Muriel Pehle, office manager

Heartland to focus on elections at convention

Heartland Region board and area representatives decided to hold Heartland's Annual Convention at Bonanza Restaurant on May 8. Our program speakers will be Lee Graczyk and Dennis Gerhardstein of the MnSF state office. Since this is an election year, we may focus on candidates for U.S. Senate and Minnesota governor, but we won't ignore our state legislature.

We hope we'll have time for fun, also. Coffee and rolls will be available when people arrive as will an opportunity to purchase lunch at noon.

Shirley McConnell attended our last meeting and spoke about significant increases in long-term care insurance rates. McConnell was assured when she purchased her policy that rates would not go up. She has an article elsewhere in this publication. She'd like to hear from anyone having the same problem.
Heartland is very grateful to its members who responded to our appeal letter and/or phone call. Thank you!

Stan Kenning and Gen Olson helped get out the recent issue of Heartland News. The more help we receive, the easier the tasks are for all of us.

We hope the room at Bonanza will be filled to overflowing May 8. Put it on your calendar. Heartland wants your input about its direction and development.

Eileen Iverson, president