Tribes sponsor health care benefit meetings

The Tribes are coordinating a series of community meetings to give the Tribal membership the opportunity to discuss and sign up for several health care benefits at the same time. The resources and staff who will be at the community meetings are as follows:

* R. Andrew Hudson, Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration - R. Andrew Hudson will be reviewing individual Tribal member eligibility for Medicare Part B. He will complete the QMB forms as part of the individual review and consultation.
* Big Sky Rx staff - The Big Sky Rx Program was created by the Montana Legislature to help eligible Montanans pay the premiums for their Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Staff from Pharmacy Outreach will be available to answer questions and sign up eligible Tribal members. The program, administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, is funded with tobacco tax revenue. Anyone on Medicare can choose a prescription drug plan from one of the 47 federally approved plans offered in Montana. Big Sky Rx may be able to assist with the premiums for the selected plan.
* Sterling Insurance Representatives - Sterling Insurance representatives will be available to discuss their supplemental health insurance plan which can be purchased by individuals for $9 a month.
* CSKT LIHEAP staff - April Zimmerer - The winter heating season is right around the corner. Please bring proof of income and complete your application for winter heating assistance.
* THHS Patient Registration and Alternate Resources Staff - THHS will have a staff person available to update patient registration and discuss alternate resources. Dates for the upcoming meetings are:
* Oct. 17 - Arlee Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.;
* Oct. 18 - Polson Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.;
* Oct. 19 - Hot Springs Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.;
* Oct. 25 - St. Ignatius Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.;
* Oct. 26 - Ronan Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and
* Oct. 27 - Elmo Indian Senior Citizens Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hudson will be available at the 17, 18, 19 and 25 meetings to answer social security and QMB related questions.

Those attending these meetings are asked to bring social security cards, any Medicare and or Medicaid cards and income information.

Lunch will be served in each location.