With the summer months quickly approaching, it is important to be aware of the options you have for keeping cool. As part of his Keep Cool Illinois campaign, Governor Quinn has made over 120 state facilities available as cooling centers. The cooling centers will provide Illinoisans a place to stay cool and comfortable during hot summer days. Cooling centers are open during normal business hours from 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about Cooling Centers call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at (800) 843-6154 or visit http://www2.illinois.gov/KeepCool/Pages/coolingcenters.aspx. 

Keeping Cool Tips Everyone

·         Stay in air-conditioned space at home, the library, the mall, movie theater or at a cooling center.

·         Drink lots of water and natural juices. AVOID alcoholic beverages, coffee, and colas.

·         Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but keep windows slightly open.

·         Stay out of the sun and avoid going out in the heat.

·         Keep electric lights off or turned down.

·         Take cool baths or showers.

·         Wear loose, light cotton clothing.

·         Do not eat heavy meals. Avoid cooking with your oven.

·         Avoid or minimize physical exertion.

·         Do not sit in a hot car, even for a short time. Never leave a child in a hot car.

·         Check on family members, friends and neighbors to make sure they stay cool and safe.

·         If you or anyone you know needs emergency medical attention, call 911.

·         It is against the law to open a fire hydrant. An open hydrant hinders the fire department's ability to fight fires, reduces water pressure in your home and may cause basement flooding.

·         A Summer Survival Guide from the Department of Public Health

Special Keeping Cool Tips for Seniors

·         During heat emergencies, seniors are urged to contact their local Area Agencies on Aging or the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 for assistance with locating senior centers, adult day service sites and other buildings that serve as cooling centers.

·         Humidity combined with temperature make up the heat index, which is similar to the wind chill factor in winter. If the temperature is in the 90s with high humidity, it can feel like it is well over 100 degrees.

Keeping Cool Tips for Your Pets

·         Provide water and shelter from the sun at all times.

·         Restrict activity during extreme heat.

·         Never leave pets in parked vehicles. Even moderate heat rapidly increases and can kill the pet quickly.

 

******************************************************************************************************************************

 

May 20, 2013

Dear Marci,
I have a Medicare prescription drug plan, but I can't afford my drug costs. Are there any programs that can help me afford my prescription drug costs? 
-Loretta (Bardstown, KY)

Dear Loretta, 

Yes. If you have limited finances, you may qualify for Extra Help. Extra Help is the federal assistance program that helps people with limited finances pay for their Medicare prescription drug costs. To be eligible for Extra Help, you need to have or be eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, also known as Part D. You can get Medicare Part D coverage through either a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan that works with Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare private health plan) that offers prescription drug coverage.

Depending on your income and assets, Extra Help may help pay the following Part D costs:

• Part D premium
• Part D deductible
• Prescription drug copay/coinsurance

If you enrolled into Part D late and you incurred a Part D premium penalty, Extra Help will waive your premium penalty. In addition, having Extra Help entitles you to a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to change your Part D plan once every month.

In order to qualify for Extra Help, you must receive less than $1,436 per month ($1,939 for couples) and have $13,300 in assets ($26,580 for couples) or less. Keep in mind that if you have Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or a Medicare Savings Program, you automatically qualify for Extra Help. If you are unsure of whether you qualify for Extra Help (e.g. if you are slightly over the income or asset limit), you should still apply. Certain types of income and assets will not be counted when determining whether you qualify for Extra Help. Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov to apply for Extra Help. If you need help applying, you can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Click here for a helpful flier that lists Extra Help income and assets limits in 2013.

If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, know that there are other options that can help you pay for your prescription drug costs. Click here for a Medicare Interactive link that discusses helpful ways to lower your prescription drug costs. 

-Marci

*****************************************************************************************************************************

 

Click here for Consumer Resources

 

Making Sense of Medicare Resources

Click on the links to find helpful information:

 

 Making Sense of Medicare 

Medicare Care Finder 

Reading Your Medicare Summary Notice