Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State Efforts to Address Serious Mental Illness and Street Homelessness

State-Funded ‘Safe Options Support’ Teams Have Connected Nearly 200 Formerly Homeless Individuals with Permanent Housing, Mental Health Support

Nearly 100 State-Operated Inpatient Psychiatric Beds Now Available to Treat Individuals with Serious Mental Illness

Initiatives Are Part of Governor Hochul’s $1 Billion FY24 Budget Investment to Transform the Continuum of Mental Health Care In New York

Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on the latest State efforts to provide treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness, part of efforts funded by her $1 billion investment in mental health care in FY 2024 State Budget. The Governor announced that Safe Options Support teams have helped nearly 200 formerly homeless individuals find permanent housing. She also highlighted 99 new state-operated inpatient psychiatric beds are now available for use – more than halfway to the goal set in her budget proposal – and that approximately 500 inpatient psychiatric beds at community hospitals will be restored by January 2024.

“We have a moral obligation to care for those struggling with mental illness, but for too long these critical issues have been ignored or left untreated,” Governor Hochul said. “That is not the case any longer: my administration’s plan to improve our mental health system is providing treatment and care to the individuals who need it most. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and our commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to the help they need.”

Established in 2022, the 11 Safe Options Supports (SOS) teams have helped secure housing placement for nearly 200 of the roughly 2,000 individuals living on the streets or in the subway system – many of whom were living with mental illness. These outreach and referral-based teams work with individuals experiencing homelessness to help build life skills and strengthen their support network so that their care can successfully be transferred to community-based providers and supports.

Under the FY 2024 budget, Governor Hochul’s plan creates eight new teams – five in New York City and three in the rest of the state –to bolster these successes. Among these new additions, several dedicated overnight outreach teams are expected to start operations in New York City in the near future.

Governor Hochul met with staff from Services for the UnderServed, which operates one of the SOS teams based in New York City, at Grand Central Station in Manhattan. The governor discussed the work and experiences of these multidisciplinary team members in helping New Yorkers experiencing chronic homelessness achieve stability.

Governor Hochul also updated New Yorkers on the expansion of inpatient psychiatric beds at state-operated psychiatric centers. To date, 99 new state-operated inpatient psychiatric beds are available for use, with all 150 beds outlined in her landmark mental health care plan to be brought online by Jan. 1, 2024.

The new inpatient beds at state-operated facilities were added at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center; Buffalo Psychiatric Center; Rochester Psychiatric Center; Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center; Greater Binghamton Health Center; South Beach Psychiatric Center; Bronx Psychiatric Center; and the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center.

Building on this progress in the five months since the state budget passed, Governor Hochul also announced that approximately 500 community hospital beds –also known as Article 28 and 31 beds –that were taken offline during the COVID-19 pandemic will be restored into service by the New Year. The Governor committed to restoring beds earlier this year and is now working to sanction those hospitals that are not compliant.

Governor Hochul made increasing operational capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment a priority in her $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul New York State’s continuum of mental health care. This plan was adopted as part of the FY 2024 Enacted Budget, which was approved in May.

In addition to increasing inpatient capacity, Governor Hochul’s plan includes expanding outpatient community-based services, creating new supportive housing units to serve New Yorkers with mental illness, and building-out programs that have a demonstrated record of success. The plan also builds on prior investments made under Governor Hochul’s leadership, helping to close gaps and ensure the system adequately serves the mental health care needs of all New Yorkers in crisis, including marginalized and vulnerable populations.

The New York State Office of Mental Health has finalized guidance on evaluation and discharge practices for comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs and emergency departments, and for Article 28 and Private Article 31 inpatient facilities. This guidance sets the expected standard of care for assessing, evaluating and discharging individuals with behavioral health conditions and will help ensure that individuals leave with appropriate community support.

The plan will establish 50 new Critical Time Intervention care coordination teams will provide wrap-around services for discharged patients– from treatment, to housing, to community and recovery support. Simultaneously, the Office of Mental Health is developing 42 new Assertive Community Treatment teams to provide intensive community services to New Yorkers with the highest level of need.

Complementing these efforts, Governor Hochul established the state’s first Transition to Home units at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center to help provide recovery-oriented, person-centered care for individuals struggling with chronic homelessness. These two 25-bed inpatient units are staffed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and other clinical and non-clinical personnel to provide recovery-focused treatment with a goal of eventually discharging patients to community-based care.

As part of Governor Hochul’s plan, the OMH is also developing 900 units of additional community residential step-down housing to help individuals transitioning out of hospitals or emergency rooms to build skills needed to move into a more independent housing setting. Individuals in the step-down program will be connected to SOS, ACT, and Intensive Mobile Treatment teams– all being expanded– to support their transition back to the community and to permanent supportive housing.

The plan will also develop 1,500 supportive housing units serving individuals with a serious mental illness who have less acute needs, but still require support to live independently. The plan will also triple the number of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics providing comprehensive services for individuals requiring behavioral health support– from 13 to 39 statewide by July 2025.

 

MAYOR ADAMS HOLDS VIRTUAL BRIEFING TO DISCUSS SECURITY MEASUREMENTS BEING PUT IN PLACE

 

Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy, Communications: Good evening. My name is Fabien Levy, and I'm deputy mayor for Communications for the City of New York. This is been a difficult week for all of us, for our city, for our state and for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East. But while the attacks we witnessed in Israel last weekend have shaken our conscience they have not shaken our resolve: we will not be intimidated.

 

And here in New York, neither our city nor our state will tolerate any form of bigotry, whether it be antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other kind of hate or discrimination. We are working closely with law enforcement officers, our state partners and other cities across the country to monitor for potential threats and keep people safe.

 

In anticipation of today's day of resistance that has been widely promoted in social media, the city has already had multiple meetings and calls with different Jewish and Muslim groups across the five boroughs throughout the day. But we wanted to speak to all New Yorkers about the actions the city and the state are taking to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.

 

To keep you informed about these efforts, we are joined today by New York City Mayor Eric Adams; New York Governor Kathy Hochul; First we will hear from Mayor Eric Adams.

 

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. And I want I want to thank the governor for really her leadership and partnership as we ensure that all New York State residents are safe, and we're going to continue to coordinate together. We know the entire world is horrified by the attacks the terrorist organization Hamas has made on our brothers and sisters in Israel, and we are deeply disturbed by the message of hate urging violence in other communities in this region and around the world. It is not acceptable.

 

I want every New Yorker, especially our Jewish New Yorkers and other groups to know there are currently no credible or specific threats against our city. But with large‑scale protests planned for tomorrow, we must remain vigilant. New York City is the most diverse city in the world, and protecting our residents is the most sacred responsibility that we have. We have directed the NYPD to surge additional resources to schools and houses of worship to ensure that they are safe and that our city remains a place of peace.

 

We're also stepping up NYPD patrols in other key neighborhoods to help protect all of our city residents. New York City will do whatever it takes to keep our people safe; an if New Yorkers see something, we're saying to you, do something by reaching out to your local authorities. New York City rejects terrorism. We reject hate. We stand united. And we mourn the innocent lives taken in these attacks. Let us pray for the safe return of those captured and for all those on both sides suffering the horrors of wars. We will be united together. And again, I want to thank this team and I want to thank the governor of the State of New York for her leadership at this moment. Thank you.

 

Deputy Mayor Levy: Thank you, mayor. Next, we'll hear from Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor.

 

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul: Thank you, Mayor Adams; and once again, the two of us have been strong partners as we work to protect the public safety of all New Yorkers. And this past week has been one of unimaginable heartbreak. These attacks on innocent civilians — babies, children, grandmothers — have now unleashed a spiral of violence. We all watched in horror and anguish as we saw so many of our own residents affected deeply, some of whom are over there still in harm's way. And it's a fear even within our city limits and our state that people never experienced, expected to feel again so soon.

 

And I agree with the mayor: reports that Hamas has called for a day of action calls for us together to address the concerns of New Yorkers as you receive this information. And I'm proud to work with you, mayor, and our Commissioner Caban as we update New Yorkers. What we first want to emphasize, something that is simple and it's non-negotiable: that the safety of New York's Jewish communities is not up for debate. We will stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbors today, tomorrow and every day. There is no call to violence that will shake that conviction, and there's no evil we are unwilling to confront.

 

Before I discuss the security measures we're adopting in the State of New York tomorrow, let me tell you what we've done briefly already to protect the citizens of our state. Immediately following the attacks on Israel Saturday morning, we directed the state police to work with local law enforcement, especially here with the NYPD, to up our local patrols and outreach. Yeshivas, synagogues, museums, cultural institutions — places that were deemed vulnerable in the city and throughout the state — constant communication with our federal partners, state intelligence experts as we monitor any potential security threats.

 

I physically visited our New York State Intelligence Center in Albany to get an in‑person briefing. Speaking regularly with the White House; and in fact, I have a call momentarily with the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State for the latest updates. And as the mayor has been doing, outreach to our community groups, religious organizations, the Muslim community, the Jewish community and also responding to any credible threats.

 

But we all have to be clear: there is currently no intelligence showing any active threats in New York — that is, the entire state of New York. 

 

But in a moment fraught like this, we will continue to exercise elevated vigilance and impose measures to deter any potential violence.

 

Let's talk about what we're planning to do in response to tomorrow's elevated threat. We fully activated our Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Counterterrorism. State police have been fully activated, we have a strong presence throughout the state as well as here in the city. We're prepared to support NYPD at our Joint Operations Center; and if we need them, we have the resources of the New York National Guard and our Joint Task Force Empire Shield ready to be activated.

 

The National Guard is already directed to patrol key transportation hubs. We've been in contact with the MTA, the Port Authority to ensure that they also have heightened their security measures. Our Hate Crime Task Force is on high alert, it will help investigate disturbing incidents as necessary.

 

We want to reiterate to New Yorkers: there's no reason to feel afraid. No one should feel they have to alter their normal lives or their routines; and indeed when we change our behavior without a serious credible threat, then we're letting the terrorists win. I want all New Yorkers to feel confident going to a synagogue, going to school, walking to the streets of New York and throughout our state over the next few days.

 

And those who seek to use Hamas as just...violence as justification for violence of their own, we have no tolerance for your hate. I condemn violence of every kind in New York. I want to be clear. When I say "every kind," that's exactly what I mean. I am outraged at reports of violence or threats against Jewish New Yorkers, including a reported incident where an Israeli student was assaulted on their very own college campus. And I have zero tolerance for hate directed towards Palestinian New Yorkers, a community that is also cherished and respected in our state. Last night's reported attack in Brooklyn of a Palestinian New Yorker is also completely unacceptable and reprehensible.

 

Public safety will always be my top priority. My commitment is to keeping New Yorkers safe. That is unwavering; and again, mayor, so proud to team up with you once again. We have the finest working with us. I thank your team, I thank my state team. 

VCJC News & Notes 10/13/23

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

1. Shabbos
   
   
   Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
   Here are the times you need:  
   Shabbos Candles Friday 10/13/23 @ 6:01 pm
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 10/14/23 @ 7:04 pm
    

2. Rosh Chodesh
   Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Sunday 10/15, Monday 10/16

3. Yizkor
   Yizkor has been said twice in the past few weeks.
   It is customary to make a charitable donation in conjunction with Yizkor.  If you wish to donate to VCJC as part of your Yizkor observance, it can be done in person at the office, by check, or online through our website

4. This Sunday! Lloyd Ultan Lecture 10/15/23
   Bronx Historian Emeritus,  Prof. Lloyd Ultan will give a talk on The Historic Ethnic Diversity of the Bronx.  (see below).  Please plan on joining us!  So that we can properly prepare, please let us know if you plan to attend via email.
   Note that the lecture is set for 2PM so that members of the larger community can attend.  We hope to see you there!

5. We will be setting up a donation page to support Israel

   Please watch for information on that page and donate what you can.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

Councilman Rafael Salamanca and Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. Annual Faith Leaders Luncheon

 

Over 100 people came to the Shiff Hall at the Bronx Zoo for the Annual Faith Leaders Luncheon by Councilman Rafael Salamanca and Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Councilman Salamanca, followed by the invocation by Pastor Frederick  Crawford of the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Councilman Salamanca introduced his mentor former Councilman Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr., who said, some day Councilman Salamanca will make a great Bronx Borough President. Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr. introduced his mentor former Councilman and Pastor Fernando Cabrera, who mentioned the impact of the clergy on the city.

Honorees were the 49th Precinct Clergy Council, Rabbi Saabia Pewzner, and Iman Sheikh Hamud Alsilwi.

Councilman Rafael Salamanca welcomes everyone to the Faith Leaders Luncheon at the Bronx Zoo.

Former City Council members Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. and Pastor Fernando Cabrera. Also in the photo seated is Leslie Diaz.

The  49th Precinct Clergy Council received the first award.

Rabbi Saabia Pewzner receive awards from Councilman Salamanca and Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr.

Iman Sheikh Hamud Alsilwi receives awards from Councilman Salamanca and Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr.

A group photo of the honorees  and others.

Did Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez use the Bronx Chamber Of Commerce and a City Employee for Her Political Campaign

 

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Little Yemen Business to Business Networking w. Councilmember Velazquez. 

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez with YAMA, TD Bank and NYC Department of Small Business Services for an evening of business to business networking and coalition building in the Morris Park section of Council District 13. Learn from business experts and grow your network.

What it was however appeared to be a political campaign stop for Councilwoman Velazquez as you will see by the photos below. The councilwoman took pictures with some YAMA people, she then gave a speech, Karline Jung (Legislative Assistant) of the NYC Consumer and Worker Protection Department spoke briefly, and then Iman Sheikh Hamud Absilwi spoke on how the community must re-elect Marjorie Velazquez, as he held up a mailer from the councilwoman. After that the meeting was over as Councilwoman Velazquez had left for another event going on at the same time, and light food consisting of salad, rice, beef and chicken was served. 

Before the short meeting Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez poses with members of YAMA  and Iman Sheikh Hamud Alsilwi to her left in white. 

Councilwoman Velazquez is speaking to the members of YAMA as she stands between the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and YAMA signs.

Another view of Councilwoman Velazquez with NYC Consumer and Worker Protection Legislative Analyst Karline Jung (right) waiting to speak next.

Iman Sheikh Hamud Alsilwi would speak next as he holds a political mailing from Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez as he electioneers for the councilwoman in front of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and YAMA signs telling YAMA members she must be re-elected.

This is the political mailing that the Iman had in his hand.

When I asked who from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce was in charge Tonisha Hurd Administrative Executive gave me her card, and then John Bonizio Vice-Chairperson Board of Directors gave me his card and asked what was wrong. I said this evening was nothing but a event using the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and a city employee for a political purpose by Councilwoman Velazquez. Mr. Bonizio spoke to me about not writing anything, and when I said no, he appeared to warn me to be careful and get home safe.

 

 

Assembly Member Zaccaro Hosts Housing Assistance Services

 

Dear Friends, 

Are you or someone you know in need of free housing assistance services? In partnership with the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC) our Community Office is hosting a housing assistance specialist twice a month to help individuals in need. 

To schedule an appointment or for more information please contact our Community Office at 718-409-0109 or email District80@nyassembly.gov. 

For the First Time, Historical Record of NYC’s Original and Altered Streets Available in One Place via City Planning’s “NYC Street Map” Tool

 

Updated map version adds details of original NYC streets – not just alterations – from documents dating back to the early 20^th century

 

NYC Street Map tool provides helpful data to New Yorkers on the size, shape, and angle of their street, making it easier for them to access this info and pursue changes to their property

Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick today announced that the NYC Street Map now includes the comprehensive mapping and history of New York City streets, including their width, angles, and more. For the first time, this interactive tool includes the streets as originally mapped, in some cases in the early 20th century, building on previous versions of the NYC Street Map tool that included only alterations to the city map. The total history of New York City’s more than 32,000 streets is now a click away for New Yorkers aiming to request a change to their street, pursue changes to their property, or find out more about the history of New York.

 

“Word on the street is that this update will give the public all they need to know about New York City’s roads, avenues, boulevards, and corridors. As we work to streamline housing and job development and make our city greener, this tool will help those looking to make changes to their property save time and money by making this info readily available. It’s a great example of how we’re increasing transparency and putting data at New Yorkers’ fingertips,” said Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning Director and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

 

“The NYC Street Map tool is an exciting and innovative example of how the city government is leveraging technology to unlock potential for businesses, real estate developers, and curious citizens alike,” said New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “With a comprehensive history of New York City available at a click of button, New Yorkers across the five boroughs can play an active role in civic participation continuing to make New York City a great place to live, work, play, and learn.”

 

For New Yorkers looking to renovate their property, this NYC Street Map update will provide all the information they might need to navigate a requested change. A family-run restaurant looking to add outdoor dining can now plan around the width of the street, for example, or a homeowner on the corner of two blocks can easily learn the specific angles of that intersection in order to make changes to their yard.

 

Users can view technical schematics for any street in the city by clicking on the street grid square, which will bring up options to view the historic map from when the road was originally documented as well as any alterations that have taken place. Some of these street maps go back to the start of the 20th century, with the oldest document dating from the turn of the last century.

 

In addition to this data, which combines more than 8,000 paper map documents maintained by DCP, the NYC Street Map provides New Yorkers easy-to-find information about the streets near their homes. This tool contains every street map DCP has under its purview, covering nearly all city blocks. For the few blocks where we do not have more thorough details available, we are working with the Borough President’s office to fill in the gaps in the near future.

 

Also available on mobile devices, NYC Street Map also allows New Yorkers to:

• Find streets, corners and public areas named to honor notable individuals such as 9/11 victims and first responders or recognized community members.
• These ceremonial name spaces are displayed in purple and include a link to the City Council report enacting the place name.
• Find the City’s 56 public “step streets,” where staircases replace roadbeds and sidewalks. (The Bronx has the most with 42.)
• Find streets that have been converted to another use, such as parkland for example. (Until 1962, Fifth Avenue ran through Washington Square Park.)
• See that Battery Park City was built in the 1970s (on landfill from excavation for construction of the World Trade Center).
• See when a street was mapped or built, including historical images and data reaching as far back as 1924.
• View streets that are private or unmapped, and find out if a building is on a mapped street that has not been built.
• See if your home or business is in a federally-designated flood zone.

 

 

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

 

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.

During Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Free NYS Medicare Counseling Program Helps Older Adults Make Choices

Income-eligible beneficiaries also encouraged to enroll in Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to save up to an estimated $7,000 annually on out-of-pocket costs

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) reminds older New Yorkers that free and objective counseling is available to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate their options during the Medicare open enrollment period from October 15 through December 7.

Open enrollment is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes in their health plan or prescription drug coverage and other options. Any changes take effect January 1.

The NYSOFA-administered Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) helps 248,000 New Yorkers annually to understand Medicare decisions. It also helps beneficiaries apply for programs that save older adults out-of-pocket costs such as co-payments, premiums and deductibles. Last year, HIICAP saved low-income Medicare beneficiaries an estimated $115 million through these programs. HIICAP counseling has also shown to reduce hospitalizations by 54% and emergency room visits by 14%. This free and objective assistance is provided locally by trained counselors. For assistance, call the helpline at 1-800-701-0501. More information about HIICAP is on NYSOFA's website. 

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, "Trained counselors are available to help beneficiaries or new enrollees make informed decisions about plan coverage during Medicare open enrollment, a time when many may feel overwhelmed by their choices. Best yet, this information is free, objective, and local, through NYSOFA's network of over 700 counselors statewide. By matching individuals with the right coverage levels, this assistance not only improves access to preventive health, but it also helps individuals save on health care costs and enroll in important benefits or subsidies, like the Medicare Savings Program, which provide vital economic security."

Heather Leddick, administrator for HIICAP in New York, said, “All Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to take a close look at their health care needs during open enrollment, especially any changes such as new doctors who might not be in their plan’s network, prescription changes, or additional service needs. HIICAP counselors provide information and tools that empower beneficiaries to make their own informed decisions about which options match their current needs."

For income-eligible older adults, HIICAP is also available during open enrollment – and throughout the year – to assist in the application process for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). The MSP was expanded in 2023 to help an additional 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries who may be potentially eligible to save up to an estimated $7,300 in Medicare-related health costs annually.

The MSP helps older adults and people with disabilities living on limited incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums and automatically enrolls them in Extra Help. This financial assistance can be a lifeline for enrollees, allowing them to maintain their Medicare coverage, access needed care, and afford other necessities. Learn more about this program, and how to enroll, on NYSOFA's MSP information page here, including a video tutorial about the application process. 

HIICAP in Detail

During open enrollment, or at any time of the year, HIICAP can help you:

• Understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan.

• Understand low-income subsidy programs, including Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.

• Find ways to pay for your medications or medical equipment.

• Understand and apply for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program.

• Choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

• Understand Medicare rules and your medical bills.

• Report possible Medicare fraud or abuse.

• Provide information on how to appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider, or other health insurance company.

• Discover ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps.

• Learn how to file a Medicare or Medigap complaint.

• Learn about Medicare-covered prevention and screenings.

Protecting Yourself

Medicare experts report a higher risk of potential fraud during the open-enrollment period as well as potentially misleading marketing. Medicare has rules about how plans can and cannot communicate with you to market their insurance products. The Medicare Rights Center offers the following warnings:

• Plans are allowed to send you mail. However, unless you are currently enrolled in the company’s plan, they are not allowed to call, email, visit your home, or approach you in public to market their plan without your permission.

• Beware of people who pressure about making plan changes, claim to be representing Medicare, or attempt to alarm you about losing benefits unless you enroll in a particular plan.

• Beneficiaries who believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact Medicare. More information is available at medicare.gov.

NYSOFA and Medicare also remind older adults to treat their Medicare number as they do their Social Security number and credit card information. People with Medicare should never give their personal information to anyone arriving at their home uninvited or making unsolicited phone calls selling Medicare-related products or services. If someone calls and asks for a recipient’s Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).