Find out if you or someone you know qualifies for discounted internet service

Eligible households can get discounted high-speed internet service.

Find out if you can get help with your internet service costs If you or someone you know needs help paying for internet service, you may qualify for a monthly discount on a new or existing internet service plan through a government program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). You may also qualify for a one-time device discount of up to $100, to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Do I Qualify? To apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575 to request an application. Once your application is approved, you can contact a participating internet service provider to start receiving your monthly discount. Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Research suggests increased broadband Internet access is associated with improved health outcomes. Broadband makes it easier for people to take advantage of information on Medicare.gov, like comparing the quality of nursing homes and hospitals, or finding the health plan that's best for you. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Medicare.gov: "We saved money on our premium. Comparing plans pays."

Have you checked out the 25 Medicare drug plans available in your area (02038), including 4 new plans? Now's the time to find the best plan for your needs and budget — you may even find a plan that saves you money! Compare Plans Here are a few tips: Log in with your Medicare account — and add your prescription drugs and local pharmacies — to get more personalized recommendations. When comparing plans, look at the estimated "Yearly Drug & Premium Cost." A plan with the lowest premium may not always give you the lowest total cost. Important: If your income for 2022 is below $18,600 ($25,000 for married couples), you may be able to save on your monthly Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket Medicare costs, including prescription drug costs. See if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs and learn how to apply. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Medicare covers opioid addiction treatment services

Medicare covers treatment services that can help people recover from opioid use disorder.

Treating Opioid Addiction While prescription opioid pain medications can help treat pain after surgery or an injury, they carry serious risks like addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, Medicare covers treatment services that can help. These services help people with Medicare recover from opioid addiction and include medication coverage (like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone), counseling, drug testing, individual and group therapy, and more. Certain services, like counseling and therapy, are available both in-person and virtually. Learn More The first step is talking with a doctor about treatment options, and where to go to get help. People with Medicare can also visit Medicare.gov and select their state to find local treatment programs. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Are you up to date on your vaccinations, including COVID-19 boosters?

Catch up on vaccines to protect yourself against serious illness.

Stay up to date on your vaccines It's especially important to stay up to date on your vaccines. Vaccines protect you from serious illness and can even keep you out of the hospital. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines may be right for you, many of which Medicare covers:  COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines (including getting all recommended boosters when eligible) will keep you best protected from severe COVID-19 illness. One flu shot per flu season. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October to stay protected throughout flu season. Two different pneumococcal shots. Medicare covers the first shot at any time and a different, second shot if it's given at least one year after the first shot. Visit Medicare.gov to see what other vaccines Medicare covers, and talk with your doctor about staying up to date on your vaccines. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Talk with your family about getting the little ones vaccinated against COVID-19

Talk with your family about getting the little ones vaccinated. In case you missed it, CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 years and older. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing children from getting seriously sick. Learn More If your loved ones have questions, you can share these 6 important things to know about COVID-19 vaccinations for children. Visit CDC.gov for more information on COVID-19 vaccines and dosage for children and teens. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Get over the counter COVID-19 tests at no cost

Good news! Starting this week, you can get up to 8 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free. You'll be able to pick up tests from eligible pharmacies and other participating healthcare providers. Contact your local pharmacy to see if they are participating and to make sure they have tests available. Learn More Remember to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card with you when you get your COVID-19 tests. Over-the-counter at-home tests give rapid results and you can take them anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms. Visit CDC.gov to learn when to test yourself, how to use an over-the-counter test, and what your test results mean. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Medicare.gov: 3 things you can do to protect yourself from Omicron (vax, boost, mask!)

Help stop the Omicron COVID-19 variant by using all the tools to protect yourself and others.

Protect yourself from Omicron The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19. Here are 3 things you can do to help protect yourself and others: Get the COVID-19 vaccine, if you haven't already. Vaccines are the best tool to protect us from COVID-19. They slow the transmission of the virus, and provide strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization. Get the booster when you're fully eligible. Everyone 18 years and older should get a booster shot 2 months after their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or 5 months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. Adolescents and teens ages 12 to 17 should also get a booster of Pfizer-BioNTech 5 months after their primary series. Continue wearing a mask in indoor public places in areas of high or substantial community transmission. Use the COVID-19 County Check Tool to find your county's level of community transmission. Learn More Remember: Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot at no cost to you. Visit Vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccines and boosters near you. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Medicare Reminder: It's time to get your flu shot

Stay safe this flu season — get your flu shot.

It's time for your flu shot. The CDC warns this upcoming flu season could be severe, so it's more important than ever to protect yourself against the flu. The best way to protect yourself and keep you from spreading the flu to others is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October to stay protected throughout flu season. And, you can get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Learn More Remember, Medicare covers the flu shot, so you pay nothing out-of-pocket. Sincerely, The Medicare Team You can update your preferences or use our 1-click unsubscribe to stop receiving messages from the Medicare Team. This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

What are the fixed costs of the Town of Franklin budget?

As part of the continuing series to prepare for the Finance Committee budget hearings (which begin next week) and the Town Council budget hearings (in May), check out the link to the details on the history of the fixed costs year over year from FY 2004 to FY 2022.

• Appendix C3 - Historic Data: Fixed Cost

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/appendix_c_historic_data_fy22.xlsx_-_fixed_costs.pdf

The chart depicts the fixed costs of the budget year by year from FY 2004 to FY 2022.  

What are the fixed costs?

• Liability Insurance
• Employee Benefits:
• Pensions
• Health/Life Insurance/non school
• Retired Teacher Health Ins
• Non GIC - School Retirees
• Workers Compensation
• Unemployment Compensation
• OPEB
• Medicare

What are the fixed costs of the Town of Franklin budget?

Prior posts

Town of Franklin - budget growth and split between municipal and schools - FY 2012 to FY 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/town-of-franklin-budget-growth-and.html

School budget, executive summary by School Superintendent Sara Ahern

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-public-schools-fy-2022-annual.html

Executive summary by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-public-schools-fy-2022-annual.html

Link to Town of Franklin budget proposal for FY 2022
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/fy-2022-town-of-franklin-budget-proposal.html

 

Social Security Admin: New Fact Sheets Added to Your Online Statement

New Fact Sheets Added to Your Online Statement 04/01/2021 03:00 PM EDT Your Social Security Statement, available on my Social Security, tells you how much you or your family can expect to receive in disability, survivor, and retirement benefits. We've added new fact sheets to accompany the online Statement. These new fact sheets provide clarity and useful information, based on your age group and earnings situation. They […]

Visit the SSA Blog https://blog.ssa.gov/new-fact-sheets-added-to-your-online-statement/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Medicare: What you should know about the COVID-19 vaccines

Continue protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

What you should know about the COVID-19 vaccines As vaccines become more widely available, it's important to keep taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Limit gatherings with others. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands frequently. Wear a mask in public. Once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to you, here's what you should know: You will need 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for it to be effective. When you receive your first dose, make sure to schedule your second dose. Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine, so there will be no cost to you. State governments are handling the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Look for updates from your state and local officials as more doses of the vaccine become available for additional priority groups. Visit CDC.gov for additional trustworthy information on the COVID-19 vaccines. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

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