OSHIIP and Aging in Place Planning

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is a free, state-sponsored service provided by the Ohio Department of Insurance, designed to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate complex health insurance options. As Ohio's official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a network funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), OSHIIP offers unbiased, one-on-one counseling to seniors, their families, and caregivers, ensuring informed decisions about coverage without sales pressure.

Key Services Provided by OSHIIPOSHIIP focuses on empowering older adults (65+ or those eligible for Medicare due to disability) to maximize their benefits while minimizing costs. Core offerings include:

• Personalized Counseling: Free phone, email, or in-person sessions to explain Medicare Parts A/B/D, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, and long-term care insurance. Counselors review eligibility, compare plans during Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7), and help appeal denials.
• Education and Resources: Workshops, speaker bureaus, and trained volunteers cover topics like prescription drug coverage, fraud prevention, and coordinating benefits with employer plans. They also assist with applications for low-income programs like Extra Help or Medicare Savings Programs.
• Hotline Support: Call 1-800-686-1578 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4:30 PM ET) for immediate guidance—no appointment needed. Email: OSHIIPmail@insurance.ohio.gov. Website: insurance.ohio.gov (search "OSHIIP").

In 2024, OSHIIP assisted over 100,000 Ohioans, saving an estimated $50 million in premiums through better plan choices. It's especially valuable during Medicare's Annual Enrollment, when switching plans can reduce out-of-pocket costs by 20–30% for many.Why OSHIIP Matters for Aging in Place and Elder Law PlanningFor Ohio families committed to aging in place, staying home with support like in-home aides or modifications rather than nursing facilities, OSHIIP is an informational lifeline. It helps consumers bridge gaps in Medicare coverage, which doesn't pay for most custodial long-term care (e.g., daily activities like bathing). Key ties to planning include:

• Medicaid Coordination: OSHIIP counselors can explain how Medicare pairs with Ohio's Medicaid (e.g., PASSPORT waiver for home care, income under $2,901/month in 2025), and asset protection strategies like irrevocable trusts to navigate the five-year lookback.
• Avoiding Pitfalls: OSHIIP provided guidance on spotting scams (e.g., fake Medicare cards) and reviewing contracts prevents costly errors, like signing unintended guarantees in facility admissions (as seen in recent cases like Bartley Healthcare v. Ott).
• Estate Planning Synergy: Use OSHIIP to align insurance with trusts or powers of attorney, ensuring assets fund home-based care without estate recovery claims.

Avoiding pitfalls is essential to aging-in-place planning.  First, assets lost to scams and mismanagement threaten independence and autonomy by removing financial capability.  Second, being subjected to scams can raise questions regarding capacity and capability; a senior who has been taken advantage of is more likely to be deemed incapacitated and in need of guardianship services, legally removing that senior's decision-making authority.  Third, agents appointed or nominated by powers of attorney, or trustees of a trust, can be removed for being unable to protect assets from scammers, separating the senior from his or her most trusted advisors.  

How to Get Started

• Contact OSHIIP: 1-800-686-1578 or visit insurance.ohio.gov/oshii p.
• Local Access: Find counselors via your Area Agency on Aging (e.g., Central Ohio: 614-645-7250) or SHIP locator at shiphelp.org.
• Pro Tip: Schedule a session early in Open Enrollment to lock in 2026 coverage—pair it with an elder law attorney for holistic planning.

OSHIIP isn't insurance itself but a trusted navigator, helping Ohio seniors avoid overpaying and underinsuring. For personalized advice, reach out today; independence starts with informed choices.

IRS Publishes "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams Targeting Taxpayers

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) puts out their “dirty dozen” list. This is a list of scams that are so prevalent that the IRS wants everyone to watch out for. The scams fall into four main categories: pandemic-related scams; scams relating to personal information; schemes focusing on certain victims; and scams that persuade taxpayers into taking crooked actions.  Of course, readers of this blog are aware that Alzheimer's cure scams are currently targeting the elderly and their families. 

Pandemic Scams

Due to the pandemic, the government passed legislation that provided financial help to individuals and businesses. A scam can focus on stealing these payments. The IRS alerts taxpayers to watch out for mailbox theft of stimulus checks. The IRS reiterates that an IRS employee will not initiate contact via phone, email, or text asking for your social security number or other information in order to process stimulus checks.  These scams often target a person's sense of community, need for unity, and commitment to good public health.

Scammers have also stolen identities and filed unemployment claims, the IRS says. These scammers have benefited from the bolstered unemployment benefits but the legitimate taxpayer is the one who may receive a Form 1099-G to report on their income tax return. If you received this form and you didn’t actually receive unemployment benefits, you should contact the appropriate state agency for a corrected form.

Scams Related to Personal Information

Personal information (PI) is information that is used to identify you and thus could lead to a scammer impersonating you. PI includes your social security number, driver’s license number, banking information, passwords, and more.

The first scam related to PI that the IRS warns against is phishing. This involves the scammer sending you a communication that looks like it is from a legitimate source, like a government agency. You think you are dealing with the IRS but you are instead dealing with a ne’er-do-well. The scammer collects your PI and then is able to perpetrate fraud on your accounts. Or the scammer has a virus embedded in the communication that compromises the security of your computer or phone.

Schemes Focusing on Certain Victims

There are also scams related to social media. The scammer may open a social media account and pretend to be friend or family member in order to extract PI from you. Or the con artist could ask you for money due to an “emergency” or for a fake charity contribution.

With the pandemic, fraudsters have set up fake charities or disaster relief companies. Or they create bogus stories on social media about a fake family that has had it particularly rough due to COVID-19. These stories or charities pull at your heart strings. Before you give to a cause, do your research to make sure it is legitimate, and your funds will be used as you intend. Be wary of a charity asking for a donation via gift card or money wire.  Even legitimate news organizations have been bitten by scammers, and have unwittingly facilitated relief scams. 

Scams that Persuade Taxpayers into Taking Crooked Actions

Immigrants are the targets of some scammers. The con artist will impersonate a government employee and threaten deportation or jail if a sum is not paid. The IRS states that a legitimate IRS agent will not make these threats. Similarly, those with limited English-speaking capability are susceptible to phone scams. The Schedule LEP let’s a taxpayer request a change in their language preference so that they can more easily understand official IRS communications.

Scammers may offer big discounts for a “settlement” with the IRS, or say that they will file for certain relief programs, such as an Offer in Compromise. While relief programs do exist with the IRS and can prove very helpful for some taxpayers with IRS debt, you need to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company who will actually do legitimate work on your behalf. Look out for misleading advertising or deals that seem too good to be trust. It might be worth contacting the IRS yourself first to see what options you have. There are many resources on the IRS’ website, including a questionnaire to see if you qualify for an Offer in Compromise. And, of course, the IRS offers its forms online.

Scammers are out there waiting to prey on the vulnerable and unsuspecting. The IRS warns to look out for any scam that requests payment via gift cards. Also, be aware that in most circumstances, the IRS will first communicate with you via mail. If the first contact is a phone call, be cautious. And the IRS will almost never send out communications to you via email.

One tactic that may reduce the damage resulting from a variety of scams is a security freeze and increased alert protection on the use of your identity.  There is a free service provided through the federal government.  For more information, read the blog article here. 

The Department of Justice maintains a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

Additional Protection to Help Protect Taxpayers

    IRS makes IP PINs available to all taxpayers – adding additional security

To help taxpayers avoid identity theft, the IRS this year made its Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program available to all taxpayers. Previously it was available only to victims of ID theft or taxpayers in certain states. The IP PIN is a six-digit code known only to the taxpayer and to the IRS. It helps prevent identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns using a taxpayer's personally identifiable information.

Using an IP PIN is, in essence, a way to lock a tax account. The IP PIN serves as the key to opening that account. Electronic returns that do not contain the correct IP PIN will be rejected and paper returns will go through additional scrutiny for fraud.

        Reducing fraud

The IRS and its Security Summit partners in the states and the private-sector tax community have made changes to help reduce identity theft-related refund fraud that are noticeable to the average person filing a return:

• Tax software providers agreed to strengthen password protocols. This is the first line of defense for these companies to make sure their products are secure.
• State tax agencies began asking for taxpayers' driver's license numbers as another way for people to prove their identities.
• The IRS limited the number of tax refunds going to financial accounts or addresses.
• The IRS masked personal information from tax transcripts.

    Multi-factor authentication can help

It is important for taxpayers filing in 2021 to know that online tax software products available to both taxpayers and tax professionals will contain options for multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication allows users to better protect online accounts. One way this is accomplished is by requiring a security code sent to a mobile phone in addition to the username and password used to access the account.

The IRS and its Security Summit partners have formed an information sharing center that allows them to quickly identify emerging scams and react to protect taxpayers. The Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud Information Sharing and Analysis Center PDF is now operational.

Also, check out our recent A Closer Look column for more on how to be vigilant about tax scams. Visit Identity Theft Central and Tax Fraud Alerts for more information on how to protect against or report identity theft or fraud.

If someone contacts you claiming to be from the IRS, you should call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to see what the facts are before proceeding.

Protecting Seniors From Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

The following is a reprint, for the reader's convenience, of an article published in  Today's Caregiver.  I thought it a timely topic since there is recent discussion of possible approval of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, which will be addressed in a future blog post:  

Alzheimer’s disease is the health condition that many fear the most. That concern can prompt us to eat well, exercise, get regular health checkups and follow our doctors’ recommendations. However, for some older adults, the fear of the disease leads to wasting money on Alzheimer’s cure scams that at best do nothing and at worst may cause harm.

Alzheimer’s Cure Scams 

Alzheimer’s disease is the health condition that many fear the most. That concern can prompt us to eat well, exercise, get regular health checkups and follow our doctors’ recommendations. However, for some older adults, the fear of the disease leads to wasting money on Alzheimer’s cure scams that at best do nothing and at worst may cause harm.

Alzheimer's and dementia treatment scams are big business. Some manufacturers know that seniors fear Alzheimer’s and have money to spend. Seniors are also uniquely vulnerable to scams. As we age, our brains can change in ways that make us less aware when something important is happening nearby and reduce our ability to read social cues. Researchers say those brain changes can make us more vulnerable to scammers.

The good news is that the FDA is cracking down on companies that prey on people’s desperation for an Alzheimer’s cure. Earlier this year, the agency acted against makers of 58 products that claimed to treat the disease but didn’t have FDA approval or proof that they worked.

The bad news is there are still unproven products out there being sold to seniors and their family members who are desperate for some sense of hope. The FDA says in some cases, they can interact with prescription medications and harm the people who take them.

How to Protect Your Parents From Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

How can you tell if an Alzheimer’s treatment or dementia supplement is worthwhile? Here’s a checklist based on tips from the Alzheimer’s Association and the FDA.

• Does the product appear on the FDA’s Flickr account? The agency has a photo stream of products that have made unproven Alzheimer’s claims. The photos include close-ups of the products’ labels and packaging.
• Does the product claim to cure Alzheimer’s or dementia? Again, the FDA notes that there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
• Does the product claim to reverse dementia symptoms? The FDA says there’s no product or FDA-approved treatment that can stop or reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms.
• Does the product say it can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by a specific amount? The FDA says there’s no proof to back up such claims.
• Some products are marketed with vague language that is misleading, scientists say. Look for these types of statements:
• Does the product claim to be a “scientific breakthrough?” That’s a general term that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
• Does the product claim to help with lots of illnesses, not only Alzheimer’s? The FDA says you should “steer clear” of products that made broad, vague health claims.
• Does the product mention results in the lab or in animals? Those results don’t prove the treatment will help people.
• Does the product say it “may” help with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? That means the product may or may not, and your parents may be better off saving their money.

Finally, remember that dietary supplements marketed to Alzheimer’s patients may seem legitimate because they’re available at the drugstore, but the evidence may not support dementia claims. Check the Alzheimer’s Association list of commonly recommended supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids and Ginkgo biloba to learn what they can and can’t do.

If you go through the checklist and you’re still not sure if a product is legitimate, ask their doctor. Your parent’s doctor knows which treatments and over-the-counter supplements may be helpful for your parent’s overall health. They also know which might interfere with their medications and which would be a waste of money.

Other Ways to Combat Alzheimer’s Scams

If you think your parent participated in any Alzheimer’s scams or if you suspect a product is a scam, you can report it to the FDA. Use the online form for reporting unlawful sales of medical products on the internet. You can also file a complaint with the attorney general in the state where your parents live. If your parents have taken a supplement that harmed them, you can report it to the Department of Health and Human Services. Of course, encourage your parent to talk about it with their doctor.

As with all issues concerning a senior for whom you are a caregiver, communication, and reinforcement of the message is important. My wife and I would find alternate ways of communicating a message, such as telling the senior a cautionary tale about another senior.  Being creative makes directed conversations more natural (less "preachy") and reinforces a message without emcouraging resistance.     

 

Beware Coronavirus Scams that Exploit Unity and Commitment

We’re witnessing a phenomenal solidarity of people around the world stepping up during the global emergency of Covid-19. Apparently, cybercriminals waste no time to exploit it to their advantage. The number of coronavirus-themed scams and security incidents related to it has been steadily increasing over the last couple of months. Hackers are preying on people’s fears, spreading disinformation, and monetizing panic.

“This may be the most dangerous time to be online,” says Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN Teams. “And those least informed are in most danger. Hackers are exploiting very real fears about the coronavirus through fake emails and scam websites. People are giving up private information and downloading malware without a second thought.”  NordVPN Teams is a cybersecurity solution for business from the world’s most advanced VPN service provider NordVPN. 

The following are the most common coronavirus scams and security incidents:

Emails from “health authorities.” When Covid-19 was just ramping up, cybercriminals were already on it. Pretending to be health officials, they sent out emails with instructions on how to prevent coronavirus infection. These instructions, disguised as PDF, mp4, docx files, contained malware, which harvested sensitive data or took over infected devices. “That’s the granddaddy of coronavirus scams,” says Daniel Markuson. “Fake emails from WHO, CDC, and other health authorities have been circulating since January, containing malware or phishing scams instead of life-saving information.“

Fake coronavirus maps. A black world map with expanding red dots. The now-famous Johns Hopkins University map is a source of much-needed information that is accessible to all. Hackers used Johns Hopkins University data to create malware-ridden apps and spread them all over the web to unsuspecting users. This resulted in cybercriminals gaining access to people’s phone cameras, microphones, and text messages.

An ecosystem of scam websites. Every day sees the launch of a thousand fraudulent coronavirus websites. They host phishing scams, distribute malware, or sell non-existent cures and supplements. “Covid-19 and coronavirus-themed websites are growing at an exponential rate,” says Daniel Markuson from NordVPN Teams. “Among them, there’s a large number of suspicious or outright malicious websites.”

Covid-19 weaponized in cyberwarfare. In February, an email went viral in Ukraine. Supposedly coming from the health ministry, it reported new coronavirus cases in the country, sparking violent protests and clashes with the police. The email was fake, and it came from outside of Ukraine. Russia is among the suspects because, as the email went viral, its state-sponsored hackers attacked Ukrainian targets with malware hidden in Covid-19 documents. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. South Korean and Vietnamese cybersecurity firms reported coronavirus-themed attacks coming from North Korea and China, respectively. In India, a Pakistani-sponsored agent used a decoy health advisory document to collect sensitive information from Indian institutions.

Cyberattack on the US Health and Human Services Department. On March 15, cyberattackers tried to overload the Department’s servers with a DDoS attack (an attempt to flood and crash a service with superfluous requests). The Department's servers suffered millions of hits over several hours, but this failed to make a dent in its systems. US officials suspect that the attack came from foreign actors. “No worse time than a global health emergency to DDoS the Health Department. Ethically, this is one of the worst things you can do — it could’ve cost lives,” says Daniel Markuson, the digital privacy expert at NordVPN Teams.

The virus of the mind. Hackers know that scared people tend to make irrational decisions. This is exactly why cybercriminals have been using coronavirus conspiracy theories to grab attention and exploit fear. By claiming to have a secret coronavirus cure or a new vaccine against Covid-19, they use social engineering to extract confidential data or bait users into downloading malware. “Not a piece of cybersecurity advice, just a general one — check your sources and prioritize what health authorities and healthcare professionals say over anything else.”

Thanks to NordVPN Teams for putting this information together, and to Today's Caregiver, for distributing it.  

NordVPN Teams offers a full range of features to ensure convenience and powerful digital protection for small and medium enterprises, freelancers, and remote teams through advanced 256-bit encryption, including ad and malware blocking, unsecured traffic prevention, automatic connection on Wi-Fi networks, and 24/7 customer support with a dedicated manager.