By Jamey Helgeson

The Arc Mower County

Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight identity theft and keep taxpayer dollars safe. If you are a Minnesotan who has Medicare, Medicare will mail your new card to you sometime after June 2018 and before April 30, 2019. The new card has a Medicare number that is unique to you instead of your Social Security number. This will protect your identity and keep your information safe. Your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same.

Do I have to do anything to get my new card?

No, you do not need to take any action to get your new card. Medicare will send you your new card. Just make sure your mailing address is up to date.  Understand that mailing everyone a new card takes time. Your card may arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s does.  Medicare will never ask you to give personal or private information or charge you a fee to get your new Medicare number and card.

What if Medicare does not have my correct address?

If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Or call 800-772-1213.

What should I do with my old card?

Once you get your new card, destroy your old card and start using your new card right away. Protect yourself by making sure no one can get your personal information from your old Medicare card.

What if I am in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan—like a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO)—your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare. You should still keep and use it whenever you need care. However, you also may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should carry this card too.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, visit go.medicare.gov/newcard.

A Mile Of Quarters, A Foot for The Arc Summer Fundraising Campaign

Did you know that if you put 13 quarters side by side they would equal 1 foot? And how many of you remember from your school days that there are 5,280 feet in a mile? These two trivia facts are the focus of a summer campaign that we are launching for The Arc of Mower County, called “A Mile Of Quarters!” For every $3.25 you can purchase a foot in our campaign or 10 feet = $32.50, 15 feet = $48.75, 30 feet = $100 and 50 feet will cost you $162.50. We’re sure you are starting to see the pattern here. You can purchase as many feet as you want.

How does Arc plan to use the money raised? We have over 100 athletes that participate in Special Olympics Basketball, Bowling, Softball and Track and Field. From hotel rooms and tournament fees to transportation and vehicle rentals, we try very hard to keep the cost of our sports activities to a minimum. With added funds to our Special Olympics budget, we can continue to provide these sports activities to as many people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities that need them.

We are hoping that you, our membership, will support this campaign yourselves as well as spread the word to your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers or any organization that you are a part of. For every donation raised we will put a decal of a foot in our windows at The Arc so you can watch our progress. Send your donations to The Arc Mower County at 401 2nd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912 or by visit www.thearcmc.org/mileofquarters.

Upcoming Events

View the complete activity calendar at http://bit.ly/2ETIAOn.

The Arc Mower County is a United Way funded agency and affiliated with The Arc of the United States.