What is MMAP?
MMAP (Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program)
is a non-profit organization with trained volunteer counselors in communities across Michigan. Since 1984, MMAP counselors have provided thousands of people in Medicare and their families or caregivers with free assistance and education so they can make informed health care coverage decisions. Today there are 59 MMAP sites throughout Michigan. At the national level, this program is called a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. MMAP is Michigan’s SHIP.
MMAP receives funding and support from the federal government through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging, as well as the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. MMAP counselors are volunteers who have received specialized training in Medicare and Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. MMAP counselors are not connected with any insurance company, nor are they licensed to sell insurance. Their purpose is to serve you objectively and confidentially.
A local MMAP counselor can help you:
- Understand doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices
- Understand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals
- Identify resources for prescription drug assistance and help you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage plan (Part D) or enroll in a Medicare Savings Program
- Review your Medicare supplemental insurance needs, compare policies, and pursue claims and refunds
- Understand health care options under managed care and Medicare Advantage plans
- Explore long term care financing options, including long term care insurance
- Identify and report scams, identify theft, and Medicare or Medicaid fraud and abuse.
New Medicare Beneficiaries
MMAP counselors can assist New Medicare beneficiaries in determining which Medicare options are best for them. There are different levels of coverage that can be purchased to cover the 20% gap that remains after Medicare pays its portion. There is a “window” of opportunity to enroll in these plans and some of the plans are optional.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
The Eastside Senior Center is a commodity distribution/TeFAP pick-up site. The second Monday of each month, GCCARD delivers commodities to the Senior Center allowing seniors the opportunity to come to Eastside Senior Center and pick up their food.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - Effective March, 2009, the income eligibility guidelines for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in Michigan changed. Within the new guidelines, persons 60 years of age and older can earn the following and still be eligible to receive commodities.
- Household of 1 person --- $1,174/monthly or less
- Household of 2 persons---$1,579/monthly or less
TeFAP
TeFAP is an additional food commodity program which is distributed quarterly on the regular commodity day. The TeFAP program has a higher income qualification:
- Household of 1 person --- $1,444/monthly or less
- Household of 2 persons --- $1,943/monthly or less
The commodity programs require meeting financial guidelines. You must pre-register and be processed in advance to participate. Please contact Betty at (810) 250-5000 on Thursdays for more details.
"This institution is an equal opportunity provider."
MiCAFE PROGRAM
The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) initiated the Michigan Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCafe). There are several components to MiCAFE. MiCAFE is first and foremost a nutrition education initiative.
MiCAFE is intended to serve at-risk seniors’ needs for nutrition education, food assistance and income support. MiCAFE makes it possible for service providers to determine the eligibility of their customers for nutrition programs, access their nutritional risk, and refer their customers to appropriate nutrition programs.
There are older people in every community in the U.S who do not have enough money to buy food or medicine and pay rent or utility bills. There are federal programs to help them. Yet, less than half of those who could get help are doing so. Many simply don’t know that help exists, or they mistakenly think they would not qualify. In 2003, only 27.5% of seniors eligible for the FoodAssistance Program participated.
MiCAFE is based on income, as are most government subsidized programs. If your income level is less than:
- Household of 1 person $10,210/annually or $850/monthly
- Household of 2 persons $13,690/annually or $1,141 monthly
You should contact the Senior Center at 810-250-5000 for an appointment to discuss this program.
What is MMAP?
MMAP (Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program)
is a non-profit organization with trained volunteer counselors in communities across Michigan. Since 1984, MMAP counselors have provided thousands of people in Medicare and their families or caregivers with free assistance and education so they can make informed health care coverage decisions. Today there are 59 MMAP sites throughout Michigan. At the national level, this program is called a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. MMAP is Michigan’s SHIP.
MMAP receives funding and support from the federal government through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging, as well as the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. MMAP counselors are volunteers who have received specialized training in Medicare and Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. MMAP counselors are not connected with any insurance company, nor are they licensed to sell insurance. Their purpose is to serve you objectively and confidentially.
A local MMAP counselor can help you:
- Understand doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices
- Understand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals
- Identify resources for prescription drug assistance and help you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage plan (Part D) or enroll in a Medicare Savings Program
- Review your Medicare supplemental insurance needs, compare policies, and pursue claims and refunds
- Understand health care options under managed care and Medicare Advantage plans
- Explore long term care financing options, including long term care insurance
- Identify and report scams, identify theft, and Medicare or Medicaid fraud and abuse.
New Medicare Beneficiaries
MMAP counselors can assist New Medicare beneficiaries in determining which Medicare options are best for them. There are different levels of coverage that can be purchased to cover the 20% gap that remains after Medicare pays its portion. There is a “window” of opportunity to enroll in these plans and some of the plans are optional.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
The Eastside Senior Center is a commodity distribution/TeFAP pick-up site. The second Monday of each month, GCCARD delivers commodities to the Senior Center allowing seniors the opportunity to come to Eastside Senior Center and pick up their food.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - Effective March, 2009, the income eligibility guidelines for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in Michigan changed. Within the new guidelines, persons 60 years of age and older can earn the following and still be eligible to receive commodities.
- Household of 1 person --- $1,174/monthly or less
- Household of 2 persons---$1,579/monthly or less
TeFAP
TeFAP is an additional food commodity program which is distributed quarterly on the regular commodity day. The TeFAP program has a higher income qualification:
- Household of 1 person --- $1,444/monthly or less
- Household of 2 persons --- $1,943/monthly or less
The commodity programs require meeting financial guidelines. You must pre-register and be processed in advance to participate. Please contact Betty at (810) 250-5000 on Thursdays for more details.
"This institution is an equal opportunity provider."
MiCAFE PROGRAM
The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) initiated the Michigan Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCafe). There are several components to MiCAFE. MiCAFE is first and foremost a nutrition education initiative.
MiCAFE is intended to serve at-risk seniors’ needs for nutrition education, food assistance and income support. MiCAFE makes it possible for service providers to determine the eligibility of their customers for nutrition programs, access their nutritional risk, and refer their customers to appropriate nutrition programs.
There are older people in every community in the U.S who do not have enough money to buy food or medicine and pay rent or utility bills. There are federal programs to help them. Yet, less than half of those who could get help are doing so. Many simply don’t know that help exists, or they mistakenly think they would not qualify. In 2003, only 27.5% of seniors eligible for the FoodAssistance Program participated.
MiCAFE is based on income, as are most government subsidized programs. If your income level is less than:
- Household of 1 person $10,210/annually or $850/monthly
- Household of 2 persons $13,690/annually or $1,141 monthly
You should contact the Senior Center at 810-250-5000 for an appointment to discuss this program.