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Donut Hole: Who Pays What Under Medicare Part D Drug Plans in 2021
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]
You might be familiar with the acronym CMS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS is the federal agency that administers Medicare. Annually, they revise the parameters for the standard drug Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to account for increased prescription drug costs. The parameters include the four phases of a Medicare drug plan- deductible, initial coverage phase, coverage gap (or donut hole), and catastrophic coverage. Depending on what medications a Medicare beneficiary is prescribed will depend on how many phases one might enter, varying the costs of prescriptions through out the year.
The first phase of a Medicare drug plan is the Deductible Phase, this is the amount one must pay each year for prescriptions before a plan pays its share. Deductibles vary between plans, the upper limit for 2021 is $435. Not all plans have a deductible and not all medications are subject to the full drug cost in this phase.
Once the deductible phase is met, a beneficiary enters the Initial Coverage Phase and pays a copayment or coinsurance for covered drugs. The amount paid will depend on if it is a generic or brand name, tier classification, and a plan’s drug formulary. This phase continues until a total of $4,130 (2021) is spent by the beneficiary and the drug plan.
The Medicare drug Coverage Gap phase (or “donut hole”) was officially closed in 2020, but that doesn’t mean people won’t pay anything. Entering this phase, a beneficiary will pay a co-insurance of 25% of the full cost of a drug for generic and brand name prescriptions. The insurance company and drug manufacturers are responsible for the other 75%. It is important to know if or when and how much you might have to pay for prescriptions during this phase.
Once $6,550 (2021) has been reached, the beneficiary enters the Catastrophic Coverage phase. During this phase, copays or coinsurance significantly lower for the for remainder of the year. Drug costs are now a co-insurance of 5% of the cost for each prescription or $3.60 for generics and $8.95 for brand-name drugs, whichever is greater. The other 95% of the costs are covered by the plan and government.
Medicare plans keep track of how much money is spent out of pocket for covered drugs and progression through coverage phases and should appear in your monthly statements.
During Open Enrollment, October 15-December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to review current insurance plans and shop for a new one. A Senior Health Insurance Counselor (SHICK) can assist you with a personalized drug plan comparison to determine your expected financial costs and if you will enter more than one phase. If you have questions or would like a one-to-one appointment, contact the Southwind Extension office for a free, confidential, and unbiased session in Fort Scott, Erie, Iola, and Yates Center Southwind Extension offices.
Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
“Calling all Cars, Calling all Cars!”
Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker
When I was a kid, occasionally I would watch the 1961-1962 Dick Tracy animated TV show. The alert, “calling all cars” was heard over the police department radio whenever there was a serious situation at hand. Everybody on duty, including the English bulldog, would charge out of the building and work together to catch the bank robbers.
Right now, the United States of America is facing a serious situation. Our beloved Country is at a crossroads, and “calling all Christians” to pray and vote is of utmost importance. Exactly who are the Christians? Just because you go to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a barn makes you a horse. Believers are not a group of neutral individuals by any means. If you’re a true Christian, then you are a born-again Christ-follower and, by faith, you believe that the Bible is the truth and ultimate authority. God’s Word is forever settled in heaven and in earth. Man cannot change what God has set forth. Where I come from, we say “like it or lump it.”
In the words of President Richard M. Nixon, let me make this perfectly clear. This article is about responsibility. My mom was a wise, loving, and godly woman and she told me not to discuss religion or politics with people. No doubt about it, those two topics will stir up a hornet’s nest if one is arguing his opinion to try to persuade the other.
However, believers have the responsibility of praying specifically during tumultuous times. We’ve all heard the common clichés about prayer: “Prayer changes things.” “The family that prays together stays together.” “Seven days without prayer makes one weak,“ etc. One of the most-popular verses regarding prayer is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” What stands out to me is the phrase, “My people.” This message from God is not to the sinners, but to the believers. Christians are to come humbly to God, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sinful/selfish ways. Then they can join together to pray for a tremendous impact. It’s vital that we not shirk our responsibility outlined in this verse.
Our prayers matter significantly. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. God uses our prayer petitions to accomplish His purposes in the earth. This is a critical time for believers to be in agreement and interceding in specific prayer. In the book of Daniel Chapter 9, we see what intercessory prayer accomplished. Daniel prayed for God to lean down and listen to him and then he writes: “I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God…. As I was praying, Gabriel…came swiftly to me. He explained to me, ‘Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.’”
The Key: The Founding Fathers are “calling all Christians” to stand strong in their responsibility to pray for the saving and healing of America.
FSHS singers audition for virtual choir
Six vocalists are preparing for SEKMEA District Choir and KMEA All-State Choir Auditions. Sophomores Kassandra Farr and Elizabeth Moore, and Juniors Luke Majors, Jordyn McGhee, Jerome Olson, and Karen Primeaux are preparing to record auditions.
These auditions typically happen in-person in early November with
subsequent concerts in December and February. Due to pandemic guidelines, this audition process is moving online. Students will prepare two selections until late October when the audition cuts are announced.
Choir directors will record students performing these selections one-on-one and submit them online where they will be adjudicated.
Choirs will be announced later in the school year.
These students are members of the FSHS After School Choir, under the direction of MJ Harper.
Rehearsals have already begun, but interested performers are still welcome to enroll. The FSHS After School Choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:15PM.
Students wishing to participate can enroll by scanning the QR
Code on posters at FSHS or by emailing [email protected]
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 23 Edition
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Obituary of Daniel Hereford
Daniel Dewayne “Dan” Hereford, age 52, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 22, 2020, in Ft. Scott.
He was born November 24, 1967, in Ft. Scott, the son of Dale and Susan Clayton Hereford. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School. He married Jackie Brown on May 23, 1987, in Ft. Scott.
Dan has been employed by Timken for the past 31 years.
He enjoyed bee keeping, wood working, and gardening. He liked to attend auctions and occasionally bought things.
Dan never met a stranger. He had a great laugh and liked to tell stories, sometimes embellishing a bit. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Survivors include his wife Jackie of the home; his mother, Susan Porter and husband Larry, a son, Jake Hereford and wife Cindy, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Baylee Crahan and husband Jacob; 3 siblings, Lynna Myer and husband Larry, Lancaster, KS, Troy Landers and wife Becky, Ft. Scott, and Jeff Daly and wife Julie, Ft. Scott; 4 grandchildren, Karlee and Rydale Hereford, and Luke and Abbie Crahan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Hereford.
Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 28th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Missionary Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Oaklyn Kastl
Oaklyn Rae Kastl, daughter of James Michael Kastl, Sr. and Cassandra LeeAnn Wells, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by siblings, Carlie, Jackson, Ashby Jr., Travis, Jazmine, Jaydynn, Jerzee and Jimmy Jr.
Also surviving are grandparents, Donna Kay Wallace, Dwayne Wells and Rodney and Dottie Pulliam; great-grandmother, Donna Rash and several aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Wayne Rash and Kenneth and Ruth Wells.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 26th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Oaklyn Kastl Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.
Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
No Bourbon County Commission Meeting on Oct. 27
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: October 27, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
NO MEETING
FS Airport Advisory Board Seeks Members
City Board Vacancy
There are two (2) openings on the Airport Advisory Board.
The function of the Airport Advisory Board is to advise the City Manager and City Commissioners on matters pertaining to the continued growth and improvement of the airport. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by November 6th, 2020.
SEKCAP Searching For Home Based Family Educator
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Mayhew: The Forgotten Bourbon County Cemetery
The Forgotten Cemetery
Bourbon County Speaking Tour presents Shirley Hurd and Ann Rawlins, researchers for OFGS
68 years of Mayhew history brought back to life
Displays of artifacts, research notes, family history, maps and aerial drone shots
Memorial Hall at 3rd and National Ave
Saturday, November 7th – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Free to the public – Donations accepted
Jayhawk Wind Contributes to Uniontown Health Clinic Project
Jayhawk Wind Provides Key Funding for Uniontown Health Clinic:
Grant to Uniontown Ruritan Club Closes Remaining Funding Gap
Uniontown, KS – October 22, 2020 – Jayhawk Wind announces the award of a $20,000 community grant to support the completion of a new health clinic for the western part of Bourbon County and surrounding communities. The new facility will be located at the old USD 235 Uniontown Board of Education Office building and operated by the Girard Medical Center. The new facility will help serve local residents who have previously had to travel outside of the immediate area for medical care, and it will be located in close proximity to assisted living apartment complexes and local schools.
“We are excited to have the support of Jayhawk Wind in the form of a community grant,” said Ruth Duling, CEO of the Girard Medical Center. “A health clinic in Uniontown has been a mission for the Uniontown community for a number of years. Their dream is about to become a reality and Girard Medical Center couldn’t be happier to help along with the collaboration of USD 235 and the Uniontown Ruritan Club. We know that local access to health care will be a huge benefit for the folks that live in and around Uniontown. It means a lot to have the support of Jayhawk Wind and we thank them for their confidence and generosity.”
“Having locally based healthcare and healthcare choices for the residents in the western half of Bourbon County and surrounding areas, especially at this time, has been a goal of this community for a number of years,” stated Mark Warren, Middle America Ruritan District Governor #37 and Uniontown Ruritan Member. “The Uniontown Ruritan Club is pleased to have the cooperation of USD 235 and the Girard Medical Center in making this dream a reality. We are pleased and appreciate the support of Jayhawk Wind for their generous gift to the residents of the area. Thank you, Jayhawk Wind, for partnering with us and making this investment in our community!”
Bret Howard, USD 235 Superintendent, said, “Uniontown USD 235 is excited to partner with other organizations to bring health care options to our district communities. This grant will allow a current building to be leased to Girard Medical Center while being able to construct a separate building for bathrooms and concession stand areas. We are pleased that Jayhawk Wind has partnered with Uniontown USD 235, Girard Medical Center, and Uniontown Ruritan Club in making this dream a reality.”
“2020 has been a very challenging year, especially when it comes to community health,” said Julianna Pianelli, development manager for Jayhawk Wind. “We are so glad that we can help contribute to this critical need here in Bourbon County, and we are grateful for the community partners who helped make us aware of how we could support this worthy cause.”
The Jayhawk Wind community grant will complement the great work USD 235, the Uniontown Ruritan Club, and Girard Medical Center have already done to make this project a reality. This grant will supplement the funds earmarked for this project from state SPARK funding and other generous donations, providing the final portion of funding needed to complete the project.
For more information about the Jayhawk Wind community grant program, please visit http://www.jayhawkwind.com/grant.
About Jayhawk Wind
Jayhawk Wind is a proposed 195-megawatt wind energy facility located in Bourbon and Crawford Counties. The project is anticipated to provide enough clean, renewable energy to the grid to power about 70,260 homes per year. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2021.
About Apex Clean Energy
Apex Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power facilities across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 200 renewable energy experts uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information on how Apex is leading the transition to a clean energy future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.