‘It won’t be a foolproof precaution, but it will go
a long way toward protecting your identities’


WASHINGTON, DC, Mar 30 – Medicare has long been a lucrative target for fraudsters. In fact, Medicare fraud costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars each year. The schemes range from fraudulent claims for healthcare reimbursements to fake prescriptions for medications and costly medical devices.


“But identity theft is one of the most prolific and personally dangerous types of fraud for individuals. While bogus claims target the system, ID crimes target you, the individual. When criminals steal your Medicare card numbers, they are also gaining illicit access to your Social Security number. Not only can they then use the information to submit phony healthcare claims, but they can also use it to commit bank and credit card fraud, for example,” says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].


That’s why the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS] will begin issuing new Medicare cards starting in April. The new cards will use random numbers instead of your Social Security numbers as your identifiers.


“It won’t be a foolproof precaution, but it will go a long way toward protecting your identities. It will be up to you to keep your new card safe. The bad guys can still use it to submit fake claims for reimbursement,” according to Weber.


Beware new scams, says the Federal Trade Commission, which has offered these guidelines to Medicare cardholders:

• Don’t pay for your new card. It’s yours for free.  If anyone calls and says you need to pay for it, that’s a scam.

• Don’t give personal information to get your card. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number or bank information, that’s a scam.  Hang up.  Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new number and card.

• Guard your card. When you get your new card, safeguard it like you would any other health insurance or credit card.  While removing the Social Security number cuts down on many types of identity theft, you’ll still want to protect your new card because identity thieves could use it to get medical services.

“Medicare recipients will not all receive their new cards at the same time,” says Weber. “We will be getting our cards according to a state-by-state schedule that will last from April 2018 to April 2019. To see when you will receive your card, click this link.“


ABOUT AMAC


The Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.


AMAC | Address | 917-84

​

            INTERNET SERVICES TO SIERRACITY AND OUTLYING REGIONS was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on March 20th in Loyalton. Supervisor Peter Huebner said there was a business in Sierra City with a new owner who cannot get AT&T to help him or get the internet reconnected, adding without the internet he cannot have the business. Huebner said it’s not just this business, it’s a problem for the whole west side. Huebner asked Supervisor Lee Adams to give a report from what he learned in Washington D.C. Adams said Sierra County remains the highest underserved broadband in the state. He stated RCRC met with federal communications staff, adding he didn’t hold out getting a ton of help from the FCC. He said AT&T has a program called First Net, which is an Office of Emergency Services (OES) program that could bring service to these areas, but is mostly based on numbers and costs. Adams felt AT&T was pushing communications back to the 1920s and thought a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) explaining these issues would be helpful. He added it was shocking and frustrating that basic services are not being met. Sierra County Planning Director, Tim Beals felt they needed to go to Sacramento to be heard. From the audience, Bryan Davey gave a little more background on First Net. He said it is a nationwide OES network similar to a cellular system and emergency services would have access to it first, but that bandwith would be available during non- emergency times. Davey said Verizon is also building a similar service. He said Sierra County OES Coordinator, Lee Brown has been proactive to get this into Sierra County, but AT&T is very secretive about their roll out plan. Davey said he knows Sierra County is on the list to have two sites installed but doesn’t know where. Davey said in Sierra City there is a large fiber line that goes through. He said Digital Path originally came in and needed a core number of users, but thenAT&T came and started offering DSL and undercut the price, so Digital Path pulled out. Davey stated since then AT&T has not upgraded and has stopped DSL service. Beals added it makes it impossible for home-based businesses to survive in Sierra City. The Board voted to draft a letter, which passed unanimously.

​SIERRA COUNTY’S LOAN OF ITS GOLD COLLECTION displayed at the National History Museum of Los Angeles was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, March 20th in Loyalton. 
Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox said this was for a one year extension but wanted to give the board an opportunity if there were any interests to have it moved. He added it would be pretty expensive to move, but criticized the actual display stating it was lumped in with a bunch of others. Supervisor Lee Adams stated there had been talk of trying to get the display closer to home and was pleased to see it was only a one year extension, so they could try and find a better place for it. Maddox said for the time being, it is safe and it is insured for a million even though it’s probably worth twice that. Discussion ended on reaching out to the Nevada State Museum to see if that might be an option.

For 19 years the Sierra County Arts Council has brought the spirit of outdoor adventure and mountain culture to The Yuba Theatre. This year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour features the best mountain films of the year, showcasing remarkable filmmaking talent from the world over to an audience that spans the globe.
The 2017/2018 World Tour features a collection of exhilarating and provocative films that explore life in the mountains. They highlight remote cultures, intense expeditions into exotic landscapes and bring adrenaline-packed action sports into sharp focus. This 42th year of the tour is presented by National Geographic and sponsored by The North Face.  Come experience world travel and thrilling mountain adventure in the comfortable, historic 186-seat Yuba Theatre; a favorite venue, as well as the smallest, on the World Tour.
“The best part of hosting the World Tour is being able to witness a community of film buffs and lovers of the outdoors come together to share stories, to be inspired to set out on new adventures, and to learn about the mountains they love,” say local organizers. “You will always connect with old friends and make new ones at the World Tour screenings. It’s amazing!”
Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 the show begins at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 8 the show begins at 2:00 p.m.  Each screening will feature a different program. Arts Council volunteer, Cracker Eshleman, takes great time consulting with the Banff Road Warrior who tours with the films. Together they select a balance of quality films for each screening. Expect 2 1/2 hours of films at each screening, as well as an intermission with refreshments provided by Downieville High School students. The traditional door prize drawings donated by festival sponsors and local businesses adds a little fun to the festivities. 
The festival is so popular that tickets for Saturday night sold out within a day of being available. But each screening shows different films and you may still purchase tickets locally at the Downieville Day Spa or on-line at www.brownpapertickets.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1(800) 838-3006. 
For further information contact the Sierra County Arts Council by calling B.J. Jordan at (530) 289-3673 or email at info@sierracountyartscouncil.org or visit us at our website: www.sierracountyartscouncil.org where the complete program listing and relevant links are available.  This festival is hosted by the Sierra County Arts Council, State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council.

An eager Treasurer "Jaws" Walker gives a positive report on the recent St. Patrick's dinner.

Exchange student from Slovakia, Vicki "Malibu" poses with "Miss Kitty" Tucker.

Louie Siqueido, Sierra Valley Little League President, gives Rotarians a report on the new scoreboard to be installed on the softball field, courtesy of the Rotary Club.

​ 
ROTARY CLUB OF LOYALTON met on a wet and soggy night March 21st. Members were excited over the recent St. Patrick’s day dinner held at Golden West with a $900 profit to help fund high school scholarships.
Treasurer Lee “Jaws” Walker discussed finances and the payment of $568 to the Boy Scouts, which has an increase in members.
Foreign Exchange Student Vicki “Malibu” reported on her birthday trip to Monterey and Carmel where it was raining and she swam in the ocean, which she described as “cold.” She discussed college plans and would like to attend in the U.S. which she admitted was “so expensive.” She told of an interest in fashion and had visited the Art Institute in Sacramento.  Her parents are coming from Slovakia on April 18th and she talked of travel they hope to take.
Vicki is on the Loyalton Track Team at Loyalton High and she is throwing discus, running the mile, 100-meter and the long jump.
President Steamer read a letter from Outgoing Exchange Student Grace Meschery who is now fluent in French.
 
Scholarship applicants, 8 out of a class of 21, have been interviewed for the Wilbanks Scholarship, the Dick “Twiggy” Wiggin Scholarship and at least one Rotary scholarship for academics and hope for a second.
The Foundation for Sustaining Members was discussed with a goal of $1,000. The Rotary District has a matching grant so that $1,000 comes back to the local club. Donations may be made to the Rotary Foundation and contributions need to be made before June.
The softball scoreboard project was well discussed with Little League President Louie Siqueido who installed the last scoreboard and expects this project to be somewhat less complicated. The scoreboard will arrive in 2-3 weeks and Louie asked for “a few extra hands” to help. The Little League Opener is April 28th. He talked of other improvements on the Little League fields, including painting and repair and on the pitching mounds.
The scoreboard will be installed on April 21st at 9 am. as a Rotarians at Work Day. Come out and support your Rotary Club and the Little League. Many thanks for all the donations in this important community project!!
UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Leadership Assembly Sat. April 7.
• Pinewood Derby Test Runs April 7 at Club Leadership Assembly.
• District Conference May 18-20. Atlantis Hotel Reno. www.rotarydistrict5190.org
• Next meeting April 4.

​Dear Parent,                                                                                                              03-21-2018
 
            It has come to our attention that there have been cases of Chickenpox in our community.  Chickenpox is a highly communicable disease, which is contagious shortly before (1-2 days usually but up to 5 days) the rash develops and for the period during which the person has moist and recurring blisters.  It is no longer considered contagious after all blisters have dried and scabbed over and there are no new blisters (usually 5-6 days).  There may be a period of up to 21 days from the time of exposure during which a person could “come down” with Chickenpox, but commonly from 14-16 days.
 
            Children who have had the Chickenpox vaccine may occasionally have a “mild” case of the disease, which typically lasts 1-4 days.
 
            Please contact your health care provider if you have questions about susceptible family members, E.G.: unimmunized children, immunodeficient individuals, adults not previously infected and for home care instructions. It is not ordinarily necessary to take you child to the clinic or ER unless there are severe symptoms such as listlessness or inability to take fluids. If this occurs, call first so they can prepare and avoid contact with susceptible persons in their care.
 
            Symptoms of Chickenpox are:

• Fever (usually low-grade in infants and young children)
• Itchy rash consisting of crops of red spots and blisters progressing rapidly to crusted scabs sometimes so quickly that the parent doesn’t notice the red spots or blisters
• Illness typically lasts about 5-7 days  

 
Sincerely,
 
 
Emilee Pruitt, BSN RN
School Nurse
832-4284