NEWS

Keeping You Informed

Helpful Information

 Organ & Tissue Registry: The state of North Dakota has expanded the registry for tissue and organ donation. On November 18th, the North Dakota Department of Transportation began a new online organ and tissue donor registry. A comment from Susan Gunderson, CEO LifeSource, stated that in North Dakota “64% of licensed drivers and ID card holders are registered as organ and tissue donors.” One donor can save up to 60 lives through organ donation. To become an organ and tissue donor, go to: http://donatelifend.org

 North Dakota Personal Assistance Services – Online Registry: This online registry is a resource for home and community-based services. It is designed to connect consumers with personal care providers. To learn more, go to: www.homecarend.com

 Health Information Online:
o Medline Plus – www.medlineplus.gov
o Health Finder – www.healthfinder.gov
Note: Safe Website are those ending with: .gov or .edu / not-for-profits end with: .org
*Be careful with .org

 ProHealth Home Care: ProHealth Home Care is a new business in Minot started by two nurses, LuAnn Henning and Judy Hoff. Services are available to individuals who are 55 years of age or older and may be covered by long-term care insurance or private pay. Services provided include: assessment of needs, help with medications, meals, housework, and transportation.

 Prescription Drug Take Back Program: Sponsored by the North Dakota Attorney General Office. The Minot Police Department is one of four cities in North Dakota to participate in the program. People are encouraged to bring their unused prescription medications to a drop-box located in the lobby of the Minot Police station for proper disposal. Contact the on-duty shift commander at 852-0111 for additional information.

 Diabetes Education Center: Will be located in the Town & Country Shopping Center near White Drug. Trinity Health is expecting to open the education center in the early months of 2010.

 Rosa’s Law (S. 2781): U.S. Senator Barbara A. Miklulski (D-MD) introduced this bipartisan bill in November of this year to eliminate the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from the federal law books. The ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, U.S. Senator Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) is the Republican sponsor of the bill. An update or change to this type of terminology in the federal law books has not occurred since 1960.

2010 Social Security Changes
Source: www.socialsecurity.gov

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will not automatically increase in 2010, as there was no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.
- Maximum Taxable Earnings: 2009 2010
Social Security (OASDI only) $106,800 $106,800
Medicare (HI only) No Limit

- Quarter of Coverage: 2009 2010
Earnings needed to earn one Social Security credit $1,090 $1,120

- Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts: 2009 2010
Under full retirement age $14,160/yr $14,160/yr
$1,180/mo $1,180/mo
NOTE: $1. in benefits will be withheld for every $2. in earnings above the limit.

-The year an individual reaches full retirement age: 2009 2010
$37,680/yr $37,680/yr $3,140/mo $3,140/mo
NOTE: Applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age. $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above the limit.

*There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age.
- Social Security Disability Thresholds: 2009 2010
-Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Non-blind $980/mo $1,000/mo
Blind $1,640/mo $1,640/mo
-Trial Work Period (TWP) $700/mo $720/mo
-SSI Federal Payment Standard Individual $674/mo $674/mo
Couple $1,011/mo $1,011/mo
-SSI Student Exclusion Monthly Limit $1,640. $1,640.
Annual Limit $6,600. $6,600.
NOTE: Because there is no COLA, by statute these amounts remain unchanged in 2010.