September 25, 2025

Medicare Open Enrollment starts in just a few weeks and TARCOG is here as a trusted resource for counseling and support to help you make an informed choice on your coverage.

During 2025, 2,749 people in the TARCOG region have collectively saved more than $2.5 million on their Medicare insurance premiums because of the Alabama State Health Insurance Plan Program (SHIP).

Appointments are already being scheduled for the open enrollment period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7.

“SHIP is here to help you every step of the way,” said Sheila Dessau-Ivey, director of aging programs. “The counselors save millions on Medicare insurance premiums each year for clients throughout our region.”

Sheila said counselors and volunteers are dedicated to helping participants navigate the often-confusing world of health insurance benefits.

It’s important for multiple reasons. Carla Sims, who coordinates SHIP in Limestone County, said she had one instance in which a couple was sharing insulin because they couldn’t afford it. On their insurance plan, it cost $400 a month for one of them to get a 30-day supply so they shared it. This meant neither was able to effectively manage their condition, but it was the best they could do.

Fortunately, the couple attended an outreach event where Carla spoke about SHIP and how important it is to review your prescription plan each year to make sure you have the best one for your needs.

The couple made an appointment.

“They were on the wrong program for their medication needs,” Carla said. She reviewed medications for both of them and found plans for them that allowed them to each get their insulin for $30 a month.

Carla said people don’t always understand why it’s important to review the medications each year, but to make sure you have the best plan for your individual needs, it’s best to spend a little time and let the SHIP counselors review the options to make sure you have the most beneficial plan.

“What works great one year may not be the same the next,” Carla said. “Plus, there are times when Medicare doesn’t renew a contract with a provider.”

It’s easy to get help. SHIP provides free, confidential, and objective information about Medicare, health insurance, and low-income resources for seniors, said Teresa Hazzard, TARCOG’s SHIP resource coordinator.

What’s important to know about the Alabama SHIP program through TARCOG, is that the counselors are not affiliated with an insurance company and will not attempt to sell insurance to Medicare beneficiaries, like the places consumers call in response to TV commercials featuring celebrities.

The TARCOG team responsible for answering questions and helping all TARCOG clients includes:

• Teresa Hazzard, who works out of TARCOG’s headquarters in Huntsville can be reached at 256-830-0818.
• Veronica Woodall in Jackson County can be reached at 256-574-6733.
• Lynn Hixon in DeKalb County can be reached at 256-845-8590.
• Tammy McElroy, Sandy Bishop and Kennedy Cooper in Marshall County can be reached at 256-571-7805.
• Carla Sims in Limestone County can be reached at 256-233-6412.

July 22, 2025

Fraud targeting the elderly is on the rise and resulted in nearly $5 billion in financial losses throughout the U.S. in 2024.

This is one reason TARCOG wants to help the community learn about the most common scams and how to outsmart fraudsters at its upcoming Fraud & Scam Summit 2025. TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Scam Summit will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Sandridge Ballroom at Athens State University. TARCOG’s event is free to the public but pre-registration is required by noon on Monday Aug. 4.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center data, in 2024 there was a total of $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints of financial scams targeting seniors across the U.S. This was a 46 percent increase in complaints from 2023, as well as a 43 percent increase in losses.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at TARCOG empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries their families and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. The Fraud & Scam Summit will also provide an overview of scams and fraud in Alabama and cover topics like:

• How to recognize and avoid common scams
• Identity theft prevention tips
• The role of caregivers in spotting and reporting fraud
• Steps to take when you suspect financial abuse
• Key contacts and reporting agencies for immediate help

In addition, exhibitors from state programs, community partners, nonprofit and community organizations and area businesses will be there to share educational information and valuable resources to attendees.

Click here to register for the 2025 Fraud & Scam Summit.

June 30. 2025

TARCOG held a public hearing for the Area Agency on Aging’s Area Plan for FY 2026-2029.

If you have questions please call TARCOG at 256-830-0818.

June 16, 2025

During June, around the U.S., awareness is placed on Medicare fraud prevention and elder abuse. At TARCOG, Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said the observances are an opportunity to expand the conversation to include all types of fraud and scams because it is so prevalent among the aging community.

“These are all very important topics all year long,” Sheila said. “We try to highlight national observances through community and staff education and awareness, but these are issues that we are constantly tracking and working to let our seniors know what to be mindful of when new scams start showing up because unfortunately, it’s an ongoing crime.”

On the front lines to educate and provide tools and tactics to safeguard against becoming a victim is Teresa Hazzard. She is TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol coordinator. Her name may be familiar because she’s also the coordinator of the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helping clients with Medicare Open Enrollment.

In recent weeks, she’s been upset with herself because for the second year in a row, she’s been targeted by scam artists.

“I teach this, and I know how it works, but let me tell you, when someone is on the phone telling you that they’re calling from the police department and if you don’t do what they say you will be going to jail if you don’t give them money, it rattles you. It did me.”

Teresa has never even had a speeding ticket. She had no idea why she might be in trouble and could not recall anything in her past that might lead to a warrant being issued for her arrest. After talking to the caller, she decided that she would turn herself in.

“I picked up my purse and went to a coworker’s office on my way out the door and told her I was going to turn myself in … I told her the whole story, and she helped calm me down and realize that it was a scam,” Teresa said. “This is embarrassing but it just goes to show how convincing these people can be when they’re trying to con you out of your money.”

Last year, her bank account got raided because of a Netflix offer that turned out to be a scam.

“I’ve wondered if I should be the person doing this job, but look, it really goes to show you how convincing they can be and why it’s important to remain vigilant,” Teresa said. “And never, never give out your personal information over the phone or agree to give someone you don’t know money.”

Sometimes as you get older, you also have to be concerned about giving people you do know money because there are unscrupulous people among us who will take advantage. For older people, it is one form of elder abuse.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15 each year to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

In addition to special presentations on elder abuse in the community throughout the month, TARCOG staff also participated in a training class for elder abuse awareness. The training was called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action

“At TARCOG, we are here to support our aging population,” Sheila said. “Promoting awareness days for the issues that we all need to be reminded of as we age are among the small ways that we offer assistance.”

For more information contact TARCOG at 256-830-0818.

TARCOG staff participates with their hand prints for a special staff training event for World Elder Abuse Awareness.The training was called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action

TARCOG staff training on elder abuse awareness called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action

Everyone Can Prevent Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse cost people money, time, and well-being. The TARCOG Senior Medicare Patrol, which is part of the Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol, of the Alabama Department of Senior Services, wants to empower the community to learn how to prevent Medicare fraud from happening.

The entire first week of June is recognized as Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. TARCOG used social media posts on its Facebook and Instagram feeds to share information each day about ways to safeguard against fraud.

Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year. It costs Medicare beneficiaries time, stress, medical identities, and health. It costs families, friends, and caregivers worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from falling victim to Medicare fraud.

“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Department of Senior Services Commissioner Jean Brown. “Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol teaches people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud. By preventing fraud from happening, AL SMP helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.”

Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud. During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week:

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure the products and services received match what is on the statements. They can request free My Health Care Trackers from AL SMP.
• Caregivers can help by being on the lookout for items such as durable medical equipment (like boxes of knee braces) lying around the house that may have been shipped to the beneficiary without their or their doctor’s approval. They can remind their client or loved one to never give out their Medicare number or other personal information over the phone.
• Families can help by talking to their loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help their loved ones create a Medicare.gov account to access their Medicare statements online or remind them to open and review the statements when they come in the mail. They can also register their phone number on “do not call” lists and go to optoutprescreen.com to opt out of mailings.
• Partners and professionals can help by sharing AL SMP information on social media, referring clients and consumers to AL SMP, and inviting AL SMP to speak at events.
• Health care providers can help by talking to patients about healthcare-related scams such as those related to durable medical equipment and genetic testing schemes. They can remind patients that products and services should only be ordered by physicians they regularly see. Needed medical items should never be ordered through TV ads or unsolicited calls.
• Community members can help by looking out for older neighbors. When in public, they can be aware of older individuals purchasing gift cards in large amounts. They can encourage those they know to talk to a trusted source about their Medicare questions and tell neighbors about the most recent Medicare scams they know of. They can also consider volunteering with AL SMP.

Senior Medicare Patrol is ready to provide information to PROTECT individuals from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT concerns. The program can help with questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

Contact TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol at 256-830-0818 or the state SMP may be reached at 1-800-243-5463.

May 30. 2025

TARCOG’s Area Agency on Aging is hosting a public hearing to gather input from older adults, caregivers, service providers, and community members across our five-county region that includes Dekalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties.

The meeting will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at the North Huntsville Public Library, 3011 Sparkman Drive.

This hearing is a critical part of developing our comprehensive Area Plan for FY 2026-2029, which guides the delivery of coordinated, supportive services, nutrition programs, and senior center activities in our region.

Feedback gathered during this hearing will help us shape programs and services that reflect the real needs of our communities. All voices are welcome, and multiple ways to participate will be provided to ensure accessibility.

We’re especially looking for input from:

• Older adults with limited income
• Rural residents
• Minority communities
• Individuals with limited English proficiency

Can’t attend in person? You can still share your input via:

• Online or paper comment forms. Click here to complete a Needs Survey.
• Phone calls to 256-830-0818
• Email at info@tarcog.us
• Written comments mailed to: TARCOG, PO Box 1087, Huntsville, AL 35807

Please join us and help shape the future of services for older adults in the TARCOG region.