Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023 DONATE | FROM Page 1 deserved,” Keefe said. “They’re model citizens.” Jordan is 16 and entering her junior year in high school. She’s captain of the fi eld hockey team and plays outfi eld on the softball team. Kayla is returning to Merrimack College for her sophomore year. She was her high school class president her junior year and served on the Student Council. Both, collectively known as the Lemonettes, represented Revere in Project 351, an organization which uses one student from each of the state’s communities as goodwill ambassadors and volunteers. Their involvement with Alex’s Lemonade Stand has led each to consider medicine and science as careers. Kayla is studying to be a nurse, while Jordan wants to study forensic science. Their dad is Don Martelli, who is running for an at-large seat on the City Council this year. He was inspired to run by his daughters. “They say you should set an example for your kids, but they’re setting an example for us,” he said. “I’m very proud.” The family lives in Ward 4, Jordan and Kayla Martelli – The Lemonettes – at their lemonade stand (Advocate photos by Neil Zolot) Keefe’s ward before he became Acting Mayor. He lives within walking distance and has known them for years. So does Ward 4 Councillor candidate Paul Argenzio. “The amount of money they’ve raised is phenomenal,” he feels. Other Councillors also visited the house Saturday, including Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky and Ward 6 Councillor Richard Serino. “Representatives from the city have been very generous,” Don said. Friends and relatives also Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe presented Jordan and Kayla a Key to the City. BREAKFAST | FROM Page 1 over the next year. Cole said increased prices and supply chain disruptions have been challenges for the food service program. Also on the horizon are changes to the USDA dietary guidelines which have proposed a 10 percent reduction of sugar in foods served, a change in the type of milk off ered, a reduction of sodium or salt in food and a change in whole grain products served. Those changes are not offi cial yet and would not go into eff ect until the 2027-2028 school year. Cole said that would give food manufacturers time to adjust their recipes to be in compliance with the guidelines. Cole said one of the biggest problems was fi nding a supplier of halal and kosher products. Once a month, schools serve halal burgers or halal chicken tenders, but supplies limit the off ering. Cole is continuing to search for consistent suppliers and to increase vegetarian and diversity options. Despite the challenges, Cole said, participation in the breakfast program has increased from 42 percent to 48 percent, while lunch numbers have jumped from 71 percent participation rate to 74 percent. Cole also said the National School Lunch Program has launched a Culinary Alliance made up of executive chefs from districts around the country. The Alliance develops and shares ideas and recipes. Maria Davis, executive chef of Revere Public Schools, is a member of the Alliance and has contributed the recipe for an Aloha Bowl, a dish with pineapple salsa and halal chicken tenders. “It’s exciting to think students across the country will be eatcome over every year and a party ensues. Among them was Jordan and Kayla’s grandmother Doreen Curreri, who lives in Point of Pines in a house once owned by Wonderland Ballroom owner Joseph DiStefano. “I’ve never missed visiting the lemonade stand,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see them do something for a good cause. It’s gotten bigger and bigger over the years. When they started, they were very young. To me they were babies. I’m very proud of them.” ing food designed in Revere,” said Schools Supt. Dianne Kelly. The state has pledged $1.7 million in aid for schools now required to provide free lunch for all students. Cole said Revere was recently awarded a nearly $70,000 grant to purchase supplies from farms and manufacturers within a 300-mile radius. School Committee Member Jacqueline Monterosso suggested a survey of students to see what they liked and expected from the school food service. Cole agreed a survey would be useful and suggested asking parents about their expectations. Committee members praised Cole and the staff for their work. “Everyone is knowledgeable, they have a great relationship with students, and they are proud of what they serve,” said Acting Mayor Partrick Keefe, chair of the School Committee. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma How Does Medicare Cover Preventive Health Services? Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to fi nd out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in. Just Turned 65 Dear Just Turned, You’ll be happy to know that Medicare covers a wide array of preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy, but not all services are completely covered. Here’s what you should know. Free Preventive Benefi ts Most of Medicare’s preventive services are available to all benefi ciaries (through Part B) completely free with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards. Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against fl u, pneumonia, COVID-19 and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, HIV, various cancers and cardiovascular disease; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services. But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts Medicare “on assignment,” which means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment. Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specifi ed intervals. For example, cardiovascular screening blood tests once every 5 years; or colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk. Medicare also offers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your fi rst year, along with annual “Wellness” visits thereafter. But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors and serve as a baseline for future care. Cost Sharing Services There are, however, a few Medicare preventive services that do require some out-ofpocket cost sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service after you’ve met your $226 Part B yearly deductible. The services that fall under this category include glaucoma tests, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer. For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit Medicare.gov/ coverage/preventive-screeningservices. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your plan is also required to cover the same preventive services as original Medicare as long as you see in-network providers. Hidden Costs You also need to know that while most of the previously listed Medicare services are free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service. For example, if your doctor fi nds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, you will pay 15 percent of the doctor’s service fee. Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged here too. You may also have to pay a facility fee depending on where you receive the service. Certain hospitals, for example, will often charge separate facilities fees when you are receiving a preventive service. And you can also be charged for a doctor’s visit if you meet with a physician before or after the service. To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to fi nd out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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