by Greg Dill Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories

Starting in April 2018, Medicare will mail new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare, to help protect you from identity fraud.

Fraudsters are always looking for ways to get your Social Security number, so we’re removing those numbers from Medicare cards to make them safer.

Your new card will have a new Medicare number that’s unique to you. The new card will help protect your identity and keep your personal information more secure.

You can start using your new card as soon as you get it. Your Medicare coverage and benefits won’t change at all.

Medicare will automatically mail your new card — at no cost — to the address you have on file with Social Security. So make sure your mailing address is up to date.

If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

If Social Security has your current mailing address, there’s nothing else you need to do to receive your new card.

Mailing everyone a new card will take time. Your card might arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s.

Once you get your new Medicare card, take these three steps to make it harder for someone to steal your information and identity:

Destroy your old Medicare card right away.

Doctors, other health care providers, and health plans approved by Medicare know Medicare is replacing the old cards. They are ready to accept your new card when you need care.

Beware of anyone who contacts you and asks for your new Medicare number, personal information, or to pay a fee for your new card. There are no charges whatsoever for the new cards.

Guard your card. Treat your new Medicare number like you treat your Social Security or credit card numbers. Only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, insurers, or other people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.

Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information to get your new Medicare card.

Scam artists may try to get personal information (like your current Medicare number) by contacting you about your new card. If someone asks you for your information, or for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Your new Medicare card will be paper. Paper cards are easier for many providers to use and copy, and they save taxpayers a lot of money. Plus, you can print your own replacement card if you need one.

Carry your new card and show it to your health care providers. Doctors, other providers, and health care facilities will ask for your new Medicare card when you need care.

If you forget your new card, you, your doctor, or other health care provider may be able to look up your new Medicare number online.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or 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 with you, too.

If you don’t get your new Medicare card by April 2019, or need answers to your Medicare questions call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

by Patty Jenkins

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to announce that Dr. Neda Heidari and Dr. Indu Subramanian will be our guests at our meeting held at the Lexington Assisted Living. These expert doctors will answer our questions and endeavor to help us understand more about how to live with and treat Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a debilitating disease with no cure that takes away muscle function and can cause pain. Although there is no cure, some sufferers may invest in direct cbd online to help ease symptoms.

Neda Heidari MD is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Neurophysiologist. She graduated with honors in 2001 from Teheran University Medical Science and completed her fellowship in Neuromuscular Disorder and Epilepsy at USC Keck School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and American Neuromuscular Association. Dr. Heidari has been in practice in Ventura County for over a decade and treats various neurological disorders including Movement Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Epilepsy, Dementia, Headaches, Neuropathy and other neurological diseases. She performs a variety of in-office tests to help diagnose neurological diseases and Neuropathy. Dr. Heidari is also certified to make adjustments for patients who have had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulator) surgery for their tremors, Parkinson’s and/or Dystonia. She believes in educating patients about their disease and helping them understand the pathology and course of the disease. Dr. Heidari treats neurological conditions according to the newest, up-to-date practice guidelines and advance technologies. She is dedicated to making her patients and their caregivers feel better and live a happier and a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Indu Subramanian received her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Toronto, Canada. She interned for a year in San Diego Mercy Hospital before joining the UCLA Neurology Residency Program which she completed in 2000. Dr. Subramanian received her Movement Disorder Fellowship training at UCLA Movement Disorders, UCLA School of Medicine from 2000-2002. Upon completing her fellowship training, Dr. Subramanian has stayed on as Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA . She was on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2001 and 2011. Dr. Subramanian established the movement disorder clinic at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration and has recently assumed the position of the Director of the South West PDRECC (Parkinson Disease Research, Education and Clinical Care). She has developed an interest in complementary and alternative medicine with a special interest in Yoga and Mindfulness. She underwent a 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2015 and is currently studying to be a mindfulness instructor to teach MBSR .She is designing a yoga teacher-training program for yoga instructors who are interested in working with Parkinson’s Disease patients.

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes our members and care-partners, visitors and new friends who find themselves in this battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Join us April 11th from 1-3pm at the Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St. There is a drop-off/loading and unloading driveway in the front of the building and extra parking is graciously available across the street in the Baptist Church parking lot.

Check in at the front desk for directions to the 3rd floor and sign-in at the meeting so we can keep in touch with you. For more information call Patty at 766-6070. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group. Reservations are not required. Thanks to the generosity of the Lexington Assisted Living, we are able to have our meetings every second Wednesday of the month.