Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 15, 2023 Stoneham Bank hosts 'Welcome Back' Pizza Party for Malden High educators TEACHERS GATHER— Malden High teachers enjoy the lunch provided by Stoneham Bank in the fi rst day of school. PIZZA HERE— Here's a tasty sight! PIZZA PARTY— Malden High principal Chris Mastrangelo thanks Stoneham Bank employees for supplying some delicious pizza for the MHS educators. HOUSE BILL 5138 H ouse Bill 5138 is proposed federal legislation that would amend the Medicare program in order to count a period of “outpatient” observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the three day inpatient hospital stay requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services. When Medicare does cover skilled nursing home care, the fi rst 20 days are covered at one hundred percent. The next 80 days involve a co-pay up to $200 per day by the nursing home patient. After 100 days, the nursing home patient needs to pay one hundred percent of the nursing home cost, unless MassHealth is applied for and eligibility is achieved. What this means is that a Medicare beneficiary who needs post-acute care in a skilled nursing facility would not have to pay out of pocket for those services if they did not have a qualifying three day hospital admission, but instead received observation services as outpatients. The bill is intended to address a longstanding issue that affects many Medicare benefi ciaries who are hospitalized for short periods of time, but do not meet the criteria for inpatient status. Under current Medicare rules, benefi ciaries must have a three day inpatient hospital stay in order to qualify for coverage of skilled nursing facility services. However, many hospitals place patients under observation status, which is considered an outpatient service, rather than admitting them as patients. This can result in higher out of pocket costs for benefi ciaries who need post-acute care, as they are responsible for paying the coinsurance and deductible for the skilled nursing facility stay, which can amount to thousands of dollars. This bill would eliminate the fi nancial burden for beneficiaries allowing them to count any days spent in observation status toward the three day inpatient hospital stay requirement. This would align Medicare policy with the current clinical practice of hospitals, which often use observation status to monitor and treat patients who do not need intensive care, but are not ready to be discharged. The bill would also provide more transparency and clarity for benefi ciaries and providers about the coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation. The 50+ Job Seekers Program continues at the Malden Public Library T he Malden Public Library (MPL) is continuing to off er the 50+ Job Seekers Program. This is a free service and anyone 55 years or older is welcome to join any or all the sessions. All classes are held on Zoom. Anyone interested who doesn’t have a computer or isn’t familiar with Zoom is welcome to come to the library and borrow a Chromebook during the sessions. Library staff will make sure anyone interested in participating can do so. The morning sessions are from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and meet on the first & third Wednesdays. The evening sessions are from 6-8 p.m. and meet on the second & fourth Wednesdays. Session topics include: self-assessment and transferrable skills, creating your “career story” pitch, LinkedIn profi les, resumes, networking and creating a marketing plan. The MPL is excited to continue offering this program and encourages anyone interested to attend. Call the MPL with questions at 781-324-0218; ask for Marita. Morning Schedule: FIRE | FROM PAGE 10 safety and the homes they live in. The Fire Department is off ering free smoke detector inspections and installations for senior citizens in the community. Statistically, adults aged 65 years and older are twice as likely to be killed or injured in a fi re, compared to the populaSeptember 27, 6 p.m. – Create a LinkedIn Profi le & Personal Branding October 11, 6 p.m. – Resumes: the Basics October 25, 6 p.m. – Resumes: Beyond the Basics November 8, 6 p.m. – Thinking Outside the Box (Panel Discussion) November 29, 6 p.m. – Interview Strategies & Preparation December 13, 6 p.m. – Net50 + Job Seekers September 20, 9:30 a.m. – Create a LinkedIn Profi le & Personal Branding October 4, 9:30 a.m. – Resumes: the Basics October 18, 9:30 a.m. – Resumes: Beyond the Basics November 1, 9:30 a.m. – Thinking Outside the Box (Panel Discussion) November 15, 9:30 a.m. – Interview Strategies & Preparation December 6, 9:30 a.m. – Networking 2.0 December 20, 9:30 a.m. – Creating a Marketing Plan & Brief Afternoon Schedule: tion at large. The percentages of those risks continue to rise with the increase in age. Flame burn injuries were the leading cause of burn injuries to older adults. Many homes do not have enough smoke detectors or might have detectors that are not operating or are defective. It is important that senior citizens do everything Important Schedule Note for Evening Meetings Due to Thanksgiving, we’re hosting a meeting on Wednesday, November 29 (fi fth Wednesday), instead of on Wednesday, November 22 (the fourth Wednesday). Due to Christmas, we’re hosting a meeting on Wednesday, December 20 (the third Wednesday), instead of on Wednesday, December 27 (the fourth Wednesday). December 20 will be a double-header with both a morning and evening meeting! in their power to prevent fi res. To qualify for the program, residents must be 65 years of age or older and the home must be owner occupied and be a one- or two-family residence. Please contact the Fire Prevention Offi ce at 781-3977383 Ext. 2107 to schedule an appointment. working 2.0 December 20, 6 p.m. – Creating a Marketing Plan & Brief
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