 A
monthly series of articles by specialists at the University of Nebraska
Panhandle Research and Extension Center about issues of importance
March 2006 Topics:
Local Help
Available in Choosing a Medicare Part D Plan
Carla Mahar
Jeanne Murray
Extension Educators
From the University of Nebraska
Panhandle Extension District
Since enrollment began in November, all Medicare beneficiaries have had
the challenge of choosing the right Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare
Part D). Many have successfully enrolled in one of the 42 plans available
in Nebraska with significant savings, some as much as 50 percent.
However, the plan that your
neighbor, spouse, or Part A and Part B supplement has, may not be the
best plan for you. Each person needs to compare the plans based on the
kind, amount, and cost of prescription drugs taken; the deductible, co-payment
and monthly premium; and the convenience of filling prescriptions.
Even though this may seem like a daunting task, local help is available.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is part of the Nebraska Medicare
Prescription Drug Coalition helping people make unbiased decisions. Extension
Educators Carla Mahar and Jeanne Murray are available to help in the Panhandle.
Mahar may be reached at UNL Extension in Deuel Co., Courthouse, Chappell,
308-874-2705 or toll free 1-866-865-1701. Murray may be reached at UNL
Extension in Box Butte Co., 415 Black Hills Street, Alliance, 308-762-5616.
They can provide free help
over the phone or in person, or put you in contact with a local State
Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteer. On March 28, April 24-28
and May 8, Murray, along with other volunteers, will be having enrollment
events. Call for an appointment.
Mahar and Murray say they
have talked to a number of people that think it is not necessary to enroll
in a plan because they take few or no prescription drugs. Those who enroll
now will not be subject to a penalty for enrolling after May 15, 2006.
Consider a plan with a low premium; some are as little as $2 to $15 per
month. You can change your plan to meet your future needs during the yearly
open enrollment from Nov 15 to Dec 31.
“It is like car insurance
or house insurance,” Murray notes. “You hope you don=t need
it, but it is there if you do.
If you have chosen a plan,
but you are not sure it is the best plan for you, you can still compare
plans and make changes before May 15. Mahar says, AI have helped several
people that have found that their initial plan did not fit their needs.
Those who are living on limited
income, you may be eligible for extra help from the Social Security Administration.
Contact them at 800-772-1213 or 308-635-2158.
Mahar and Murray’s advice:
Remember, there is help available. The sooner you investigate your choices,
the sooner you may reduce the cost of your medicines. Act now before the
rush of late enrollees in April and May.
Ag, Science
Day for High School Youth at Gudmundsen
By Bethany Sitz
Extension Educator
“What are you going
to do when you graduate high school?”
If you are a student nearing
the end of your high school career, you have probably heard this question
hundreds of times. You may already know what career area you want to be
employed in. If you don’t have any idea, think about your strengths,
where you want to live, what you enjoy doing.
Have you ever considered a
career in agriculture?
“I don’t want
to be a farmer or a rancher living in the middle of nowhere!” may
be your first thought. However, agriculture careers account for nearly
20 percent of all U.S. jobs, and farming and ranching account for only
a small percentage. Small towns to large cities – you can find a
job in any size of town that suits you.
The variety of agricultural careers would include interests of any student.
Students who enjoy shop or ag classes could enter fields in mechanical
work, maintenance, irrigation system construction or well drilling, just
to name a few. Are science and math classes more your style? You could
go to college to learn to work in a laboratory conducting studies, consult
on range management, work as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical
company, punch in numbers as an economist, develop new food products,
scout crops, design new tractors, work as an entomologist in fields or
on crime scenes, manage turf for golf courses, market or advertise for
an ag company, and the list goes on and on.
At the Youth Field Day at
the Gudmudsen Ranch at Whitman, agricultural careers and majors are discussed
to high school students. On April 26th, the College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources (CASNR) at UNL and Nebraska College of Technical
Agriculture (NCTA) at Curtis will talk about the variety of majors available
for any high school student interested in ag and science. The importance
of ag to the state of Nebraska and careers in agriculture are also discussed.
Other ag topics have included meadow management, beef nutrition and technology,
range, water, bee keeping, and the Sandhills. Speakers have insight to
what careers are available in their area of expertise.
A number of high schools with
strong ag and science programs have participated in the past, from Burwell
to Potter-Dix. Any schools interested in participated in this day of hands-on
activities, insight to college majors at UNL and NCTA, and careers in
agriculture should contact the Central Sandhills Area Extension office
at 1.800.657.2113 for more information. Local sponsors provide breakfast
and lunch at the event. Don’t miss this educational experience!
Parents or FFA alumni are also encouraged to bring youth to the Field
Day.
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