AAA7 and Holzer Medical Center Collaborates


Pictured: Suzanne Shelpman, Grants Development Specialist Project Director for Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.; Jay Tatum, Chaplain for Holzer Medical Center; and Teresa Waller, Assessor/Case manager for Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. hosted a workshop at
Holzer Medical Center.

The Area Agency on Aging District 7 received a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging, and a campaign has been in full swing throughout District 7 counties: Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton to inform seniors about the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card program.

As part of the outreach the Area Agency on Aging District 7 and Holzer Medical Center collaborated and provided a workshop for professionals in Gallia County. The training demonstrated how to help assist senior citizens to apply for a Medicare Prescription Drug Card and for the $600 transitional assistance monies.

Suzanne Shelpman, AAA7 project director, said “We are concerned that seniors, who did not enroll for a drug discount card before December 31st, and meet the income eligibility, have less than three months to apply for the full $600. After March 31st the $600 is prorated and they will lose dollars.” She continued to say, “It is important to enroll as many seniors as possible before March 31st so they will receive the maximum benefit.”

“The partnership with the local Senior Centers in our 10-county district has been instrumental in reaching and educating individuals who may be eligible. We are pleased that Holzer Medical Center’s collaboration in this effort has included other health care professionals in support of this initiative.”

AAA7 is urging any senior who receives Medicare Part A and/or Part B and has not applied for a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card, to contact the Senior Center in their county of residence for assistance in enrollment. Anyone needing this information can access their center’s phone number on the Agency’s website at www.aaa7.org or by calling 1-800-582-7277, ext. 500 that serves as the Medcard RX hotline, and be referred to a representative in their county.