FYI 9-2-18

County Historical Society to hold banquet

William R. Eddleman, associate director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, will be the keynote speaker at the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society Autumn Banquet on Nov. 4. The banquet will be held at the Jackson Civic Center, 381 E. Deerwood Dr., and will begin at 6 p.m. A $35 registration is required. Eddleman will discuss early Cape Girardeau County history, including details of two of its founding families, the Lorimiers and Rodneys. For more information, contact the society at (573) 979-5170.

Supply drive benefits Franklin, Jefferson schools

A school supply drive benefiting Franklin and Jefferson elementary schools is being conducted through Sept. 8. School supplies may be dropped off at PC Wellness Centers, 5 Doctors Park, or Fingerprint Dance Studio, 707 Broadway, both in Cape Girardeau.

New officers in local committee

The Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee met for a biannual reorganization on Aug. 21. The following officers were elected to serve from 2018 to 2020: chairman Victor Gunn, vice chairwoman Debbie Griffin, treasurer Jerry Keele, secretary Erin Windbigler and deputy treasurer Doug Austin.

Medicare conducting survey of beneficiaries

An official survey of Medicare beneficiaries is underway, and the Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) is offering some pointers to folks who may receive visits, according to a recent news release.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to conduct a national study to provide information on the health care experiences of Medicare recipients. As part of the effort, the NORC representatives are interviewing Medicare beneficiaries in Missouri.

Because the Missouri SMP has been vigilant in warning people against unwittingly answering personal healthcare questions, the SMP wants to make the public aware that this survey -- titled the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey -- is an official research study of the U.S. government.

The data collected will be used to analyze health care policy issues and improve planning of health care services.

Interviewers will visit pre-selected households. While Medicare officials are seeking consumers' cooperation with these researchers, participation is completely voluntary. Interviewers will wear photo ID, will adhere to strict professional standards, and will be trained and legally bound to pledges of confidentiality.

Individuals' answers will be kept private, and answers will not affect a participant's benefits.

Consumers will not be required to supply their Medicare numbers, credit card numbers or bank account numbers to these interviewers.

Questions can be directed to the Senior Medicare Patrol at (888) 515-6565, or mcbs.norc.org.