Bowie State University students can now shop for free food and even chill out on a couch and watch TV in a new food pantry the school opened with a $10,000 Food Lion grant.
READ MORE: Killer of Bowie State student convicted but judge drops hate crime charges
The goal of the food bank, which opened this week, is to eliminate the stigma of getting free food and to meet the nutritional need of students. In a 2019 survey conducted by the Hope Center for College Community and Justice at Temple University in Philadelphia, roughly 45 percent of a polled 86,000 college students nationwide said they experience food insecurity.
The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study also released data that found that 39 percent of undergraduates fell at or below the federal poverty line in 2016.
Bowie wants to be proactive in its handling of the issue.
“When we talked about this concept with Food Lion we really wanted to attack the stigma and breakdown the stigma of people feeling like they didn’t want to come and get food because of the thought that there is something wrong with suffering from food insecurity,” Brent Swinton, Bowie State’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement told WJLA. “That’s a growing trend across the country and colleges are attacking that and Bowie State University is at the cutting edge. So we want people to feel welcome, to come in and realize that this is all about making sure nutrition is available so our students can achieve in the classroom.”
The food bank is located in the basement of the library and is open several times a week. The pantry features both non-perishable items and fresh produce, and school administrators hope to add toiletries and other supplies soon.
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Sadiyah Jenkins, a senior psychology major who attended the pantry’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, told ABC News that the pantry was definitely needed. She said she would drop in once or twice a week.
“If I need more, I know I can always come back,” Jenkins said.
The post Bowie State University opens up free food pantry for students appeared first on TheGrio.
Original Medicare is a federal health insurance plan that consists of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). To qualify, you must be 65 or over, and in most cases, you’re automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B once you’re eligible. In addition, individuals under 65 who receive Social Security disability insurance may qualify for Medicare.
Original Medicare coverage includes many health care services, yet some enrollees find that the plan isn’t sufficient enough to meet their needs. As a result, they end up spending a lot of their own out-of-pocket money. Original Medicare doesn’t include a prescription drug plan, nor does it include coverage for many other healthcare services such as vision or dental. If you need more than what Original Medicare can offer, it’s time to explore Medicare plans offered through the private health insurance company Aetna.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of Medicare, here’s a look at some Aetna Medicare plans which could be a better fit for your needs.
If you’re looking for Medicare coverage outside the federal government, an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan could be what you’re looking for.
Medicare Advantage plans are also referred to as Medicare Part C. As a basic rule, any Medicare plan sold by a private insurance company must offer the same benefits as Original Medicare. For this reason, Medicare Part C automatically includes the benefits of Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition, you’ll receive benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t offer.
For example, several Medicare Advantage plans offered through Aetna also include prescription drug coverage. This is known as Medicare Part D. As people age, their healthcare needs change and certain medications might be needed on a regular basis.
Without prescription drug coverage, you would pay for many prescriptions yourself. Having a Medicare Part D plan, however, can reduce what you pay out of pocket for medication.
Keep in mind that some Medicare Advantage programs don’t include Part D as a benefit. So make sure you research plans carefully and then choose one that offers the coverage you need.
If you currently have Original Medicare, you may not pay a monthly premium for coverage. This isn’t the case with a Medicare Advantage program. Since Aetna is a private insurer, you may have a monthly premium, which can vary by plan and location.
Key points of an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan:
You can enroll in Medicare Part C when you initially become eligible for Medicare. The Initial Enrollment Period is three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday.
You can enroll later if you don’t enroll at this time, but only during annual Open Enrollment Periods.
You don’t have to enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage program to get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
While Medicare Part D is included as a benefit in some Medicare Advantage plans, there’s also the option to purchase Part D coverage alone.
If you purchase Medicare Part D as a standalone policy, you may pay a monthly premium for coverage. In addition, your plan may include a deductible and copayments.
Purchasing a standalone policy is beneficial if you have Original Medicare, which doesn’t automatically include prescription drug coverage. Ignoring or thinking you don’t need this type of coverage can be a costly mistake. Some prescription medications are inexpensive, but others can cost hundreds of dollars each month. According to Aetna, it’s estimated that approximately “40% of people over the age of 65 take five or more medications per day.”
With regard to Medicare Part D enrollment, it’s always best (or rather cheaper) to enroll in a plan when you initially become eligible for Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period is also the three months before your 65th birthday and three months after your 65th birthday.
You can enroll after your Initial Enrollment Period during open enrollment but you may pay a higher premium for coverage.
Aetna also has Medicare options for people enrolled in Original Medicare.
Since Original Medicare doesn’t cover all healthcare expenses, many older adults end up paying a lot for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The good news is that there is a way to save money and reduce some of your upfront costs.
To do so, though, you’ll have to purchase a Medicare Supplement insurance plan through Aetna. This is optional coverage, but well worth the cost because supplement insurance pays some of the healthcare costs that Medicare doesn’t.
Medicare Supplement insurance includes several plans with varying coverage amounts based on where you live. To learn about available plans in your area, search for Aetna Medicare supplement insurance in your state or speak with a licensed insurance agent to get a free, personalized Medicare Supplement quote.
An example of Medicare Supplement insurance plans offered through Aetna includes:
| Benefits | Plan A | Plan B | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N |
| Part A Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Deductible | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Part B Deductible | 100% | ||||
| Blood (first 3 pints per year) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Excess Charges | 100% | 100% |
The best time to enroll in an Aetna Medicare plan is when you are first eligible. If you choose to enroll at a later time, you can only do so during open enrollment, which is every year from October 15 to December 7.
During open enrollment season, you can enroll in Medicare for the first time, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage Part C, as well as switch to a different Medicare Advantage program. Open enrollment is also when you’re eligible to sign up for Medicare Part D and a Medicare Supplement insurance plan.
Understanding how Medicare works and its different parts is how you’re able to get the most out of your coverage. Medicare is not one size fits all, so a plan that works for someone else might not work for you. Do your homework, ask questions, and choose an Aetna Medicare plan that will meet your individual healthcare needs.
Color of Change, a nonprofit civil rights advocacy group, is circulating a petition asking that advertisers pull support from TMZ until the gossip outlet agrees to consult with Black families before reporting on celebrity deaths.
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The petition was started last month after NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash and TMZ reported the news before police could inform Bryant’s family of the tragedy. The petition was further updated yesterday after rapper Pop Smoke, whose birth name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was slain and TMZ once again reported the news before his family learned of his death.
“Once again, in a rush to break the news, TMZ disregarded the effects its rush news reporting has on surviving family members or fans of the deceased— even releasing footage of paramedics working to resuscitate the 20-year old rapper,” the petition states. “TMZ has used Black celebrity deaths as a driver for website clicks and profit far too long. TMZ’s lack of journalistic integrity should have consequences.”
Color of Change, which has been around since 2005, first slammed the media outlet for its handling of Bryant’s death.
“Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a horrific helicopter crash, and TMZ LEAKED the news before the authorities were even able to notify the family,” the initial petition reads. “That means that Vanessa Bryant found out about the death of her husband and child through TMZ, tweets, or comments.”
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The petition added, “IT’S TIME FOR FOX TO CANCEL TMZ AFTER WHAT THEY DID TO KOBE BRYANT’S FAMILY.” It goes on to say TMZ’s actions were “beyond not ok” and hopes to “get TMZ taken down once and for all,” according to ABC’s WHAM 13.
Last month, the petition had garnered more than 100,000 signatures. It is unclear how many signatures the petition has secured to date after Pop Smoke’s death.
The post TMZ under fire for leaking Black celebrity deaths before families are notified appeared first on TheGrio.
Original Medicare is a federal health insurance plan that consists of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). To qualify, you must be 65 or over, and in most cases, you’re automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B once you’re eligible. In addition, individuals under 65 who receive Social Security disability insurance may qualify for Medicare.
Original Medicare coverage includes many health care services, yet some enrollees find that the plan isn’t sufficient enough to meet their needs. As a result, they end up spending a lot of their own out-of-pocket money. Original Medicare doesn’t include a prescription drug plan, nor does it include coverage for many other healthcare services such as vision or dental. If you need more than what Original Medicare can offer, it’s time to explore Medicare plans offered through the private health insurance company Aetna.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of Medicare, here’s a look at some Aetna Medicare plans which could be a better fit for your needs.
If you’re looking for Medicare coverage outside the federal government, an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan could be what you’re looking for.
Medicare Advantage plans are also referred to as Medicare Part C. As a basic rule, any Medicare plan sold by a private insurance company must offer the same benefits as Original Medicare. For this reason, Medicare Part C automatically includes the benefits of Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition, you’ll receive benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t offer.
For example, several Medicare Advantage plans offered through Aetna also include prescription drug coverage. This is known as Medicare Part D. As people age, their healthcare needs change and certain medications might be needed on a regular basis.
Without prescription drug coverage, you would pay for many prescriptions yourself. Having a Medicare Part D plan, however, can reduce what you pay out of pocket for medication.
Keep in mind that some Medicare Advantage programs don’t include Part D as a benefit. So make sure you research plans carefully and then choose one that offers the coverage you need.
If you currently have Original Medicare, you may not pay a monthly premium for coverage. This isn’t the case with a Medicare Advantage program. Since Aetna is a private insurer, you may have a monthly premium, which can vary by plan and location.
Key points of an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan:
You can enroll in Medicare Part C when you initially become eligible for Medicare. The Initial Enrollment Period is three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday.
You can enroll later if you don’t enroll at this time, but only during annual Open Enrollment Periods.
You don’t have to enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage program to get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
While Medicare Part D is included as a benefit in some Medicare Advantage plans, there’s also the option to purchase Part D coverage alone.
If you purchase Medicare Part D as a standalone policy, you may pay a monthly premium for coverage. In addition, your plan may include a deductible and copayments.
Purchasing a standalone policy is beneficial if you have Original Medicare, which doesn’t automatically include prescription drug coverage. Ignoring or thinking you don’t need this type of coverage can be a costly mistake. Some prescription medications are inexpensive, but others can cost hundreds of dollars each month. According to Aetna, it’s estimated that approximately “40% of people over the age of 65 take five or more medications per day.”
With regard to Medicare Part D enrollment, it’s always best (or rather cheaper) to enroll in a plan when you initially become eligible for Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period is also the three months before your 65th birthday and three months after your 65th birthday.
You can enroll after your Initial Enrollment Period during open enrollment but you may pay a higher premium for coverage.
Aetna also has Medicare options for people enrolled in Original Medicare.
Since Original Medicare doesn’t cover all healthcare expenses, many older adults end up paying a lot for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The good news is that there is a way to save money and reduce some of your upfront costs.
To do so, though, you’ll have to purchase a Medicare Supplement insurance plan through Aetna. This is optional coverage, but well worth the cost because supplement insurance pays some of the healthcare costs that Medicare doesn’t.
Medicare Supplement insurance includes several plans with varying coverage amounts based on where you live. To learn about available plans in your area, search for Aetna Medicare supplement insurance in your state or speak with a licensed insurance agent to get a free, personalized Medicare Supplement quote.
An example of Medicare Supplement insurance plans offered through Aetna includes:
| Benefits | Plan A | Plan B | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N |
| Part A Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Coinsurance and Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Deductible | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Part B Deductible | 100% | ||||
| Blood (first 3 pints per year) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Excess Charges | 100% | 100% |
The best time to enroll in an Aetna Medicare plan is when you are first eligible. If you choose to enroll at a later time, you can only do so during open enrollment, which is every year from October 15 to December 7.
During open enrollment season, you can enroll in Medicare for the first time, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage Part C, as well as switch to a different Medicare Advantage program. Open enrollment is also when you’re eligible to sign up for Medicare Part D and a Medicare Supplement insurance plan.
Understanding how Medicare works and its different parts is how you’re able to get the most out of your coverage. Medicare is not one size fits all, so a plan that works for someone else might not work for you. Do your homework, ask questions, and choose an Aetna Medicare plan that will meet your individual healthcare needs.
