Sixty Seconds Newsletter 
A Monthly Update from Senior Resources of West Michigan  
An Area Agency on Aging Serving Muskegon, Oceana & Ottawa counties
In This Issue
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National Area Agencies on Aging
 

 
Medicare open enrollment through Dec. 7

It's the time of year for Medicare open enrollment.

Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) office is only taking appointments; no walk-in visits are accommodated. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 231-733-3572. 

 



Speak up! Anytime day or night. Report abuse and neglect.
855-444-3911

Senior Resources' Elder Care Specialists are available to assist with Options for Long Term Care
Call: 231-733-3585
or Toll Free:  1-800-442-0054. In Oceana - 231-559-0331.
November 2017
Senior Advocates Coalition meets Nov. 13

The Senior Advocates Coalition meets Monday, Nov. 13, with federal Congressional Aides in the conference room at Tanglewood Park, 560 Seminole Road, from 1:30-3 p.m.


Auto no-fault law bill defeated
In Lansing... House Bill 5013, the bill to amend the Auto No-Fault law which was supported by House Speaker Tom Leonard and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, was defeated Nov. 2, on the House floor by a vote of  45 yeas to 63 nays - 10 votes shy of the number needed for passage.
 
Among the changes proposed by the bill that would have affected seniors were 1) allowing an insured person to select one of three personal [injury] protection, or PIP, coverage levels: $250,000; $500,000; or no maximum limit and 2) allowing a "qualified person", i.e., a person at least 62 years old  or older with  lifetime health benefits, to opt out of purchasing PIP coverage, and require an insurer to offer a reduced insurance premium rate for a person who opted out. 
 
Opponents of the bill expressed concern that these provisions would leave low income persons who purchased the less expensive coverage or opted out of the coverage completely vulnerable in case they were catastrophically injured in an auto accident.  For those who would choose to opt out, the expectation was that they could use commercial or other coverage options to pay their health care costs.  Opponents of the opt out provision, however, noted that most other insurances do not cover such benefits as  long-term nursing home services, home help (or attendant) services, and loss of income from injury, which currently are covered under the personal injury protection (PIP) provisions of auto no-fault coverage. 

Supporters of HB 5013 argued that under the bill PIP premium rates would have to reflect the savings that insurers could expect when drivers opted to purchase the less expensive and less extensive coverage.  Detractors of the bill pointed out, though, that there was an "escape clause" for insurers that would have allowed them to circumvent the required rate reductions if they could prove that the rates were not justified due to inflation, expected losses by the insurer from auto insurance, or changes in the amount that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association assessed the insurers.  

Another item of concern was the provision that allowed an insurer to refuse to provide coverage for more than 56 hours of attendant care in the home per week if provided by certain individuals, including family members.  This provision could have had severe financial implications for senior citizens who were caring for relatives who had been catastrophically injured or for family members caring for their severely injured older relatives. 


Reprinted with permission of Area Agencies on Aging Association in Michigan.
Senior Resources of West Michigan Inc