Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

EAST LOS ANGELES—With the annual Coordinated Enrollment Period scheduled to end on December 31, 2008, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) briefed local community leaders on the importance of sending screening forms for Medicare Low Income Subsidy applications early. The roundtable was co-hosted by the California Partnership for Access to Healthcare and was held at the auditorium of Keiro Senior Health Care on Boyle Avenue on Monday, December 1.

Community leaders have emphasized the importance of the open enrollment period for seniors who are 65 years and older because it accords them an opportunity to review their healthcare plans, payment options and choices, especially for government-supported programs such as Medicare Part D.

Unfortunately, many senior adults, especially individuals who are not fluent in English, often experience difficulty understanding how to access and determine the best options for themselves. Lack of English language skills and cultural factors such as fear of government often serve as barriers to access for many Asian seniors.

"These factors can be extremely difficult for all seniors," said Clayton Fong, President and Chief Executive Officer of NAPCA. "Asian-Pacific Islander American seniors who don’t speak English well or have no access to the Internet can experience even greater difficulty understanding their healthcare options."

"The good news is that for the first time since 2006 the government has begun covering prescription drugs. The average senior around the country saved about $125 a month on their medications because of that program," Fong said. "The bad news is, in a place like Los Angeles, the average senior has to pick from a stack of fifty different medical plans. Imagine if you have a stack of fifty brochures; it will be extremely difficult to make the best pick even if you spoke English perfectly. But it you don’t speak English well, it becomes next to impossible to make that choice," Fong said.

According to NAPCA, 58 per cent of Asian-Pacific Islander American senior adults do not speak English well and more than one-third of APIA households have no one who can speak English. "Clearly, language is a barrier for many APIA seniors," Fong stated. "That’s why NAPCA is the only organization that offers a multi-lingual team of professionals who can offer APIA seniors with the help needed to navigate through open enrollment in Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese. Our assistance helps seniors find the best plan to cover their prescriptions and saves them money."

NAPCA also has two offices in LA and Orange Counties with telephone numbers (562) 841-1396 and (714) 560-8877. Medicare Part D forms can be mailed to NAPCA Helpline, 1511 Third Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101, or fax to (206) 623-3573.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on December 3, 2008 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A1 )