ELECTIONS - VOTING
If you are 65 or older, you are eligible to vote by mail (absentee ballot).
Tennessee Code 2-6-201 states: A registered voter in any of the following circumstances may vote absentee by mail in the procedures outlined in this part. Section (5) (A) states: A person sixty-five (65) years of age or older when the person requests to vote absentee.
In simple language, if you are 65 or older you can request an absentee ballot from the Davidson County Election Commission. (I am enclosing one request for your convenience). You may contact the Election Commission in one of the following manners.
1) Visit their website at http://www.nashville.gov/vote/absentee_ballot.htm
(There is an underscore between absentee and ballot)
2) Call 862-8815 or 862-8800
Note: If you are 65 or older and want to vote by mail in all future elections, you may request an absentee ballot for each election. If you want a ballot automatically sent to you without having to request it, you must have a form filled out by your doctor to send to the Election Commission which states your physical difficulty or incapacity to vote in person. This form can be obtained from the Election Commission.
SENIORS PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE
THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS
AS OUTLINED BELOW.
1) Seniors Property Tax Relief--The first $25,000.00 of appraised value of your home is eligible for state tax relief, if the total combined income of your household is $24,000.00 or less. To apply for this, contact your county Trustee. The Davidson County Trustee telephone number is 862-6330.
2) Seniors Property Tax Freeze--For those senior households with an income of $34,260 or less (for Davidson County), you are eligible to “freeze” your property tax rate at the current rate. In other words, your tax amount would stay the same, even when there are property tax increases. You would contact the county Trustee to apply for this as well.
Currently Representative Moore serves as secretary to the State & Local Government committee and chairman of the State Government subcommittee. He also serves on the Local Government subcommittee, Elections subcommittee, Consumer & Employee Affairs committee and the Employee Affairs subcommittee.
MEDICARE
LISTED BELOW ARE SOME IMPORTANT SCREENINGS AND PREVENTION EFFORTS COVERED BY MEDICARE:
One-time “Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam
Medicare covers a one-time review of your health, as well as education and counseling about the preventive services you might need, including certain screenings and shots. Referrals for other care, if you need it, will also be covered. You must have the exam within the first six months you are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Cardiovascular Screenings
Ask your doctor to test your cholesterol, lipid and triglyceride levels so he or she can help you prevent a heart attack or stroke. Medicare covers tests for cholesterol and lipid levels every five years.
Mammogram
This test checks for breast cancer before you or a health care professional are aware of it. Medicare covers mammograms once every 12 months for enrolled women age 40 and older.
Pap Test and Pelvic Exam
These exams check for cervical and vaginal cancers and include a clinical breast exam. Medicare covers these exams every 24 months for all women with Medicare and once every 12 months for women with Medicare at high risk.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
This test helps find colorectal cancer. If you are age 50 or older, or are at high risk for colorectal cancer, one or more of several tests are covered. How often Medicare pays for these tests is different depending on your situation and your level of risk for this cancer.
Prostate Cancer Screening
This test helps find prostate cancer. Medicare covers a digital rectal exam and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test once every 12 months for all men with Medicare over age 50.
Diabetes Screening
This test is available if you have any of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, obesity, a history of high blood sugar, and other factors. Medicare also covers this test if you have two or more of the following characteristics: age 65 or older, overweight, family history of diabetes (parents, brothers, sisters) and a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds. Based on the results of these tests, you may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings every year. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Bone Mass Measurements
These measurements help determine if you are at risk for broken bones. Medicare covers these measurements once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) for people with Medicare at risk for osteoporosis.
Flu Shot
This shot helps prevent influenza, or flu virus. Medicare covers the shot once a flu season in the fall or winter for all people with Medicare.
Pneumococcal Shot
This shot helps prevent pneumococcal infections. Medicare covers this shot for all people with Medicare. Most people only need this shot once in their lifetime.
Hepatitis B Shots
These three shots help protect people from getting Hepatitis B. Medicare covers these shots for people with Medicare at high or medium risk for Hepatitis B.
Glaucoma Test
This test helps find the eye disease glaucoma. Medicare covers the test once every 12 months for people with Medicare at high risk for glaucoma.
Smoking Cessation Treatments
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the U.S., making cessation programs an important part of wellness. Medicare covers intermediate and intensive smoking cessation counseling for up to two quit attempts per year and other cessation treatments prescribed by a physician.
For some of these services, you might have to pay a deductible, coinsurance and/or co-payment. These amounts vary depending on the type of services you need and the kind of Medicare health plan you have.
For helpful hints click the link below:
Helpful info
For more details about Medicare’s coverage of these preventive services, including your costs, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrevntionGenInfo/
As your state representative, I care about you and hope you find this information helpful. Please call my office at 741-4317 if I may assist you in any way.
