Health Services & Wellness Programs

[Pharmaceutical / Prescription Issues (Circuit Breaker)]
[Health Insurance Issues - (SHIP)]  [ "Vial of Life"]
Health Services & Wellness Programs are provided through cooperation of the Boone County Health Department, Visiting Nurses Association, and other health care groups. Flu clinics, hearing and vision clinics, blood pressure and exercise programs are offered on a regular basis. Visit the Calendar page to view our monthly Schedule of Activities.

Boone County Council on Aging
Healthy Living Expo

Tuesday, June 7, 2011
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Belvidere North High School

  • No Admission Charge
  • Complimentary Continental Breakfast
  • Lions of Illinois Foundation Hearing Bus
  • 25 to 30 Free Health Screenings
    Sponsored by the University of Illinois, Dept. of Family Medicine
  • Take 20 of the Health Screenings and enter to win a 37" Flat Screen TV
  • Mike Williamson Quartet

     Sponsors: Swedish American Health System
     OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

 For more information or transportation to the event
Call 815-544-9893

ILLINOIS CIRCUIT BREAKER/ILLINOIS CARES RX
Good News for Seniors Taking Prescription Medications

 The State of Illinois has EXPANDED the State's Circuit Breaker Pharmaceutical Assistance Program to help more seniors pay for prescription medications.

Circuit Breaker changes for this year can help you with:
In addition, if you were not eligible for the Circuit Breaker in the past, you MAY BE ELIGIBLE NOW with the NEW INCREASES IN INCOME LIMITS!

IF YOU . . .

You may still file the Illinois Circuit Breaker application.

Electronic filing online is now available and is a more efficient, faster process. However, restrictions do apply, such as first time filers, changes in number in household, taxable losses and proof of disability documents If you would like assistance with filing or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the BCCA at 815-544-9893 and ask for Circuit Breaker Assistance. Remember, if your income in was less than:

the Illinois Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares RX may be of help to you. Call us at the Keen Age Center today and find out if you should file this application for possible grant, prescription coverage, auto license discount and I-Pass discount. We will be happy to schedule an appointment with you.

A reminder from the Illinois Department on Aging: You must file your annual application for Circuit Breaker and Illinois Cares Rx (2006 Form IL-1363) in order to continue your drug coverage. For more information, visit www.cbrx.il.gov on the Web.



HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM WORK?

Seniors can apply for a Pharmaceutical Assistance Card after they receive their W-2's earnings statements or other financial information in January. Their application will be processed, and will receive the card 6 to 8 weeks later.

CO-PAYMENT?

With the Illinois Cares RX Card co-payment for medications covered would be $2.25 per generic drug and $5.60 per brand name. Non-preferred and specialty drugs are $15.00.
AFTER card holders reach a $2,510.00 ANNUAL CAP they will pay $20% of cost.

The Pharmaceutical Assistance card will have a co-payment of $3.00 (three dollars) per medications for covered diseases.
AFTER card holders reach a $2,000.00 ANNUAL CAP, they must pay 20% of cost and co-pays.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call one of our Outreach workers at 815-544-9893.

HEALTH INSURANCE QUESTIONS
LEAVING YOU IN THE DARK?

 SHIP can help guide you through your health insurance problems.
SHIP stands for:
Senior Health Insurance Program

We Can Help!The BCCA provides SHIP which is a free insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company, and its counselors do not sell or solicit insurance. Counselors are trained by the Illinois Department of Insurance to:
  1. Answer questions about Medicare, Medicare Supplement insurance, long term care insurance, Medicare HMO's and other health insurance
  2. Organize and assist infiling Medicare and Medicare Supplement claims, as well as appeals to claim denials
  3. Analyze Medicare Supplement and long term care insurance policies, and
  4. Educate consumers
  5. BCCA's SHIP counselors also serve as a clearinghouse for publications such as Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guides and booklets on long term care insurance.


    • SHIP is a state sponsored counseling service provided at NO CHARGE by the Illinois Department of Insurance.
    • SHIP DOES NOT SELL OR SOLICIT INSURANCE.
    • SHIP provides a TOLL FREE number (1-800-548-3094) to answer your questions or direct you to a counselor in your area.
    • The Boone County Council on Aging has SHIP counselors that can answer your questions and assist you with your health insurance problems.
    • BCCA provides personal counseling at the Keen Age Center or to the homebound in some instances.
    • SHIP is dedicated to assisting Illinois' Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.
    • BCCA's SHIP counselors are trained by the Department of Insurance to guide you through problems involving:
      • Medicare
      • Medicare Supplement Insurance
      • Medicate HMO's
      • Long Term Care Insurance
      • Retiree Health Plans
      • Claims Processing
      • Appealing Claim Denials

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SHIP, PLEASE CALL

    1-800-548-9034 or 1-217-524-4872 (TTY)

    Or link to www.state.il.us/ins/Ship/shipfacts.htm or you may contact
    Boone County Council on Aging
    "The Keen Age Center"
    2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere
    815-544-9893 (Voice & TDD)


    Vial of Life Program

    The Boone County Council on Aging and OSF Lifeline Ambulance, LLC is sponsoring a new "Vial of Life" program.

    The "Vial of Life" program is available free to local residents and identifies valuable information in the event of a medical emergency. The kit contains an information form to list medicines and medical history, and is attached to the refrigerator where emergency personel will have access to it in case of an emergency.

    If you are already have participated in this program, please be advised that the information/medical sheets need to be updated every 6 months. To receive the new "Vial of Life" please come to the Boone County Council on Aging, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere, Illinois, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 815-544-9893.





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