Registration Required for all Classes
4 Part Medicare Series
The Four-Part Medicare Series dives beyond the basics into Medicare and retirement. This series is designed to provide information to guide and support you as you make important health care decisions that affect the rest of your life. Presented by the PPAAA Senior Insurance Assistance department, the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). The SHIP has been at the forefront of this emerging boom to provide up to date, current insurance information. These SHIP counselors are trained experts who do not sell or endorse any insurance products. The Medicare series is designed to answer questions and provide information to help older adults make the most informed choices.
Session 1: Medicare Eligibility and Coverage (Part A/B)
Explains eligibility for enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B, how to enroll and when to enroll (enrollment periods).
Explains Medicare Parts A and B costs, what A and B cover (benefits) and options available when something is not covered by Medicare.
Session 2: Medicare Options: Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans
This course assumes that the attendee’s already have a basic knowledge of Medicare A and B eligibility, enrollment and of benefits and coverage or that they have already attended Session 1: Medicare Eligibility and Coverage.
Explains the 2 types of coverage consumers can choose from for additional insurance to go with their Medicare A and B: Medigaps and Medicare Advantage Plans, what they are, how they coordinate with Medicare and what coverage they provide for those enrolled in Medicare A and B.
Session 3: Medicare Part D
This course explains the newest benefit of Medicare, Part D, for prescription drug coverage. Details how Part D works, how to get it, what the costs are for Part D, eligibility and how to apply for financial assistance with Part D costs for those with low incomes. Will also discuss other cost saving options available to consumers enrolled in Part D.
Session 4: Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Health Insurance Options – What you need to know
Explains the CO Medicaid programs people with Medicare may be eligible for and how those Medicaid programs coordinate with Medicare.
Also discusses how other health insurance options work with Medicare such as Employer Group Health Plans (EGHP) for active and retired employee’s, COBRA, TriCare For Life, PERA, FEHB, etc.
August Classes
August 4 – 5:30 PM
August 11 – 5:30 PM
August 18 – 5:30 PM
August 25 – 5:30 PM
October Classes
October 6 – 5:30 PM
October 13 – 5:30 PM
October 20 – 5:30 PM
October 27 – 5:30 PM
Area Agency on Aging and Ent Partnership
Retirement Series
Every year Ent partners with the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) Agency on Aging to present FREE retirement prep classes. This is an opportunity to learn about how to plan for the financial, medical, legal and even social impacts of retirement as well as get the latest information on Social Security and Medicare. Attend one class or the entire series for great information and tools to jump-start your retirement planning
Medicare 101 – This presentation will provide an overview of all things ‘Medicare’, covering the basics of eligibility and enrolling in Medicare A, B and D, as well as the costs, benefits, and explanation of the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Presenter: Roma Costanza, Medicare Specialist/SHIP Coordinator, PPACG Area Agency on Aging
Handouts and related materials:
Drug Coverage-Part A vs B vs D
2022 Standardized Medicare Supplement Plans Chart with C and F
Medicare Preventive Visit vs. Annual Wellness Visit
Create an Account – PlanFinder 508
MAPD Marketing Additional Info
2022 MAPD Plans in El Paso County
2022 Part D Cost Sharing Chart
SSA How to Apply Online for Benefits
Want to Make a Difference SMP flyer
Estate Planning-getting Your Affairs In Order – Hear from noted estate planning attorney and probate expert Skip Morgan, former President of the El Paso County Probate Bar and retired JAG colonel, on estate planning tips that are simple and inexpensive. Following a few easy steps can save your family from formal probate, thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs, and most important, contribute to family peace.
Presenter: Chester (Skip) H. Morgan, II, Morgan Legal Offices, P.C.
Retire By Design – How do you choose to age and ultimately retire? By default or by design? Because we live in an age-denying society, most of us are not inclined to anticipate the future challenges and opportunities encountered as we age and contemplate retirement. So, how can you increase the odds that you will experience a retirement that you love? First, understand the aging process (all facets). Second, identify traveling companions. Third, evaluate the environment. Age and Retire By Design—YOUR Design!
Presenter: Jane W. Barton, MTS, MASM, CSA, Author of Caregiving for the GENIUS, Cardinal, LLC
Handouts and other materials:
Making the Golden Years Golden – Are you eagerly awaiting retirement, or does it seem too far in the future to think about? It is never too early for planning and never too late to start. In this session, people of all ages will have the ability to explore options, identify your priorities, figure out how much you should save, and start to build a plan. Join us as we explore the future and your desired lifestyle in retirement years!
Presenter: Ent Team
Social Security 101 – As you begin to approach retirement, you may see a flood of information that may or may not be fully accurate. Josh Weller, a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration, will provide an educational webinar about benefit options. The session will address Social Security questions including benefits calculations, benefit eligibility factors, application process, an overview of all the different benefits Social Security administers and more.
Presenter: Josh Weller, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration
Meaning and Purpose In Retirement – Hooray! You don’t have to go to work! So now what? Just as you can benefit from financial planning for retirement, so you can benefit from planning for a sense of meaning and purpose. This session invites you to think about how you can create the life you want in your retirement phase of life.
Presenter: Sara Honn Qualls, Ph.D., ABPP, Kraemer Family Professor of Aging Studies and Professor of Psychology, Director, Gerontology Center
Fall Retirement Series Schedule
August 15 – Medicare 101
August 22 – Estate Planning
August 29 – Retire by Design
September 12 – Making the Golden Years Golden
September 19 – Social Security 101
September 26 – Meaning and Purpose in Retirement
Social Security Administration Partnership
People approaching retirement age, adult children and others have many questions regarding social security. This class covers many of the common retirement topics including:
* Eligibility for retirement
* How age affects retirement benefit
* How work affects retirement benefit
* How non-covered pensions (PERA) can potentially affect your Retirement and Survivor benefits.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. You will benefit from this class whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, assisted living residence or across the country.
2022 Dates and Times: September 21 to October 26, 2022, from 10am – 1130am at the Colorado Springs Senior Center
This class series meets once a week for six weeks. Class size is limited to 12 caregivers and registration is required.
For Information: Contact Kent Mathews MSW, Family Caregiver Support Center Lead at kmathews@ppacg.org or (719) 471-2096 ext. 115
Caring Conversations Support Group
Caring Conversations is a support group for caregivers to assist in coping with the challenges of family caregiving
Next Session: Begins Thursday July 7, 2022, from 10am – 1130am at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. Session runs for 7 weeks and registration is required.
For information on session dates or to register: Contact Kent Mathews MSW at kmathews@ppacg.org or (719) 886-7526 or Jennifer Horn MSW at jhorn@ppacg.org or (719) 471-2096 ext. 108
Medicare Lunch and Learns
Through partnerships with the Security Public Library and the Pikes Peak Library District we are able to bring these special classes going into detail on aspects of Medicare.
July 14 at 12:00 PM
Medicare Preventive Services – Join us for a discuss about what ‘preventive’ medical services Medicare covers, how to use these benefits, what these services cost and why you should be taking advantage of these benefits.
July 28 at 12:00 PM
Getting Help with Medicare Costs – If you are struggling with the costs of having Medicare, there may be help available. Join us to discuss the programs available for Medicare beneficiaries who have limited or low income, that can help cover the costs of Medicare, such as the monthly Part B or Part D premiums. We will detail eligibility and how to apply for these programs.
September 8 at 12:00 PM
Medicare Part D – Whether you are new to Medicare or have been on it for years, Medicare Part D, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, can be confusing. Join us for an overview of how the benefit works and where you can find additional information and assistance in making informed and effective decisions about your Part D coverage
September 22 at 12:00 PM
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period – It’s that time again – The annual Medicare Open Enroll Period! Join us to learn what you should know, why it is important, why you should take advantage of this enrollment period and where you can find additional information and assistance navigating the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
Partner Classes
Colorado Virtual Lunch and Learn Series 2022
Registration is required. The registration link is Cardinalife@msn.com
2021 Classes at PILLAR
Puzzle of Caregiving Full Presentation at PILLAR – October 2021
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 10 to 11:30 AM – Dying to Live
Our values and beliefs guide and direct our actions. They determine our WHY for doing. They can help us move forward or even hold us back. Dying to Live will identify some of our basic values and beliefs. We will discuss their influence on our why for caregiving and their impact on our ability to provide care. We will explore how our values and beliefs create the realities we experience as a caregiver for a family member.
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