Town Hall Meetings To Address Senior Citizens' Questions On Health Care Reform and Other Insurance Issues

State Officials to Meet Seniors in Harlem and East Harlem

NEW YORK, NY (08/17/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Insurance Department officials will answer consumer questions about federal health care reform, the $250 Medicare rebate, homeowners' and renters' insurance and a variety of other insurance issues during town hall meetings with senior citizens in Harlem and East Harlem.

Deputy Superintendent for Community Affairs Ivan C. Lafayette and Assistant to the Superintendent Joseph C. Placide will present the informational sessions at the following locations:

Noon, Thursday, Aug. 19

Central Harlem Senior Citizens Coalition

34 W. 134th St., Harlem

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1

Corsi Senior Center

307 E. 116th St., East Harlem

"Senior citizens are directly affected by the new federal health care reforms, so it's important that they understand how the new law will work and how it will be phased in over the next few years," Lafayette said.

"Among the reforms affecting senior citizens is the one-time $250 rebate for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. The rebate is designed to help eligible individuals pay for the "doughnut hole" – the gap above the initial prescription drug coverage limit but below the point where catastrophic coverage begins."

Senior citizens will also have an opportunity to learn about other insurance-related issues such as obtaining homeowners' or renters' insurance; selling life insurance policies through life settlement contracts, what to consider when buying annuities and how to avoid insurance fraud.

Lafayette is responsible for planning and directing the Insurance Department's outreach and community affairs initiatives. He meets regularly with consumer and community-based groups to discuss insurance issues and answer consumer questions.

The Insurance Department's website, www.ins.state.ny.us, contains a wide range insurance-related information for consumers.

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