BY FADIA PATTERSON TAMPA
PUBLISHED 9:50 PM ET MAR. 25, 2024

PINELLAS COUNTY — The health care industry is currently facing a major cyber attack, which has directly impacted the payment exchange systems used by hospitals, doctors and insurance companies. While patients have not been the direct victims of the attack, the consequences are significant. Additionally, the non-profit organization Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas, Inc. is currently struggling financially.

Despite the cyberattack, the agency is keeping its doors open.

Randal Igus is a 67-year-old quadriplegic who requires constant care.

“What they are providing me is assistance and support,” said Igus.

The veteran has been getting care from the comfort of his home since 2018 from the Area Agency on Aging.

The agency is ensuring uninterrupted service quality despite a nationwide cyber attack that has affected all of Change Healthcare’s providers. This platform is used by the agency for billing purposes.

“We can’t get paid,” said Executive Director Ann Marie Winter. “So we haven’t been paid for the months of January and February, and here we are at the end of March; the program costs us about $300,000 a month.”

Winter says the agency has been staying afloat with the help of reserves and an advance of $300,000 from the parent company of Change Healthcare.,

It covers home health aids, incontinence supplies, and transportation to doctors’ offices; every service needed to stay at home.

They plan to request another advance. Ann Marie says they have never considered discontinuing healthcare for the veterans they serve.

“This is our mission; our mission is to help seniors stay at home for as long as possible and avoid nursing home placement. There is no way that we would not provide these services. We just need the money to be able to do it,” said Winter.

If the platform remains inaccessible until the end of this month, they will have paid $900,000 out of their own pockets..

“I appreciate the agency doing all it does, the care and just doing all it can do to keep me healthy,” said Igus.

The American Hospital Association has labeled the recent cyberattack as the most significant one to hit the U.S. healthcare system. The incident is currently under federal investigation.

United Health Group, the parent company, issued a statement on their website stating that Change Healthcare experienced a cybersecurity issue. They also mentioned that they have implemented multiple workarounds to ensure that healthcare providers’ claims are addressed, and people can access the necessary medications and care.

Additionally, United Health Group has advanced over $2.5 billion to care providers through their temporary funding assistance program at no cost.

Link to original story can be found here.

By: Trevor Sochocki
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — After his wife died more than a decade ago, Francis Lombardo had questions.

“When she passed away, I was wondering, where would I have to go? Maybe out on my own?” Lombardo recalled.

But the 101-year-old’s daughter said no — he would live at home with her and her husband.

“I couldn’t be more happy because that’s right now,” Lombardo said. “It’s the best thing that happened to me.”
And when he thinks about all the help he receives from his family, Lombardo gets a little emotional.

“I sit in my room and think about how much trouble they go for me,” Lombardo said as his eyes watered. “Makes me feel good.”

The World War II veteran is able to live at home with the help of funds from the Veterans Administration that assist with paying for his various needs.

“It makes it easier for us,” said Francis’s son-in-law, Paul Argus. “Gives us a little bit of more room to work and more options.”

But the VA is billed for that money from the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas (AAAPP), which uses Change Healthcare to do so. One month ago, Change Healthcare was hit with a cyberattack and couldn’t process any billing.

“We didn’t realize how catastrophic that was until we could not enter any information into the system,” Ann Marie Winter, executive director of the AAAPP said.

The nonprofit said it dipped into its reserves to pay $300,000 to veterans for February, and added that it only has enough saved to do that once more at the end of March.

“The longer this goes on, it’s a real financial burden for our agency,” Winter said.

In a statement to 8 On Your Side, United Health Group, the company that owns Change Healthcare, said they are making progress in restoring services.

​“We know this has been an enormous challenge for health care providers and we encourage any in need to contact us,” the statement added.

Original story with video can be found here.

By: Barbara Behrendt / Times staff
Published Dec. 7|Updated Dec. 7
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Pasco residents 65 and above who meet low-income requirements will get a break on future property taxes under an ordinance approved by the County Commission this week.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously agreed to an additional $50,000 expansion in the homestead exemption for those senior homeowners who have a total household income of less than $35,167, beginning in the 2025 tax year.

The move brought quick praise from Ann Marie Winter, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., the agency that oversees funding and service delivery for various programs that assist senior citizens. She told commissioners that because of that work, the agency “knows only too well the struggle seniors are facing right now, right here in Pasco County, with the high cost of living.”

Thirty-one percent of Pasco’s population is 60 or older, she said, and of those, 22,000 are homeowners who are “cost burdened.” That means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs and earn an income below 50% of the area’s median income level.

Passing the new exemption, Winter said, will ensure that Pasco County remains a place “where families want to move to and continue living in throughout their golden years.”

Winter added that the Area Agency on Aging was “proud to partner with Pasco County to help seniors remain independent and safe in their own homes.”
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Expanding the senior homestead exemption was an issue raised by commissioners in September during their annual budget discussions. During their public hearings, they heard repeated concerns by Pasco citizens struggling with rising property values and taxes while other costs of living were also on the rise.

Commissioners agreed to reduce the amount of tax increase related to fire service needs in the last hearing but also agreed to look at the additional homestead exemption for seniors in need.
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The exemption means the county would lower the estimated value of a primary residence by that amount for the purpose of calculating its tax bill. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have implemented the same program, though Pinellas caps the exemption at $20,000, County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told commissioners at the time.

Barbara Behrendt is a reporter covering Pasco County. She can be reached at [email protected]

WUSF | By Gabriella Paul
Published November 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM EST





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Nearly $3 million in home modification funds remain for Pasco and Pinellas County residents until Dec. 31. Seniors in Pasco and Pinellas Counties who need modifications to stay in their homes are eligible for free equipment and installation — if they apply before time runs out.

The Pasco-Pinellas Area Agency on Aging is one of the 11 elder affairs offices across the state participating in this temporary program.

While there's nearly $3 million in remaining funds for Pasco and Pinellas County residents — nearly 80% of the total program allocation — there's not much time left, according to the director of program accountability Christine Didion.

Money for home modifications, like installing bedrails or a lift chair, must be claimed by Dec. 31, she said.
"For many of us, we think of the services or supports we might need to stay in our homes ... but something that doesn't come to our mind is home improvements ... to make them more functional, safer and more accessible as you age and experience changes in your health," she said.
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She urged Pinellas and Pasco residents to take advantage of this existing program while it's available.

Didion said there is the possibility of a permanent home modification program next year, if it's greenlit by Florida lawmakers. On Thursday, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs pitched a $10 million program to improve the housing conditions of seniors in the state, according to a Florida Phoenix report.

In these counties, between January and October, 287 residents received free home improvements, medical equipment and services.

Among them was Anna Sanders, 60, who uses a walker.

In November, her bathtub was converted to a walk-in shower in her home in San Antonio, Florida.

"This has been a lifesaver. I mean, it really helps our budget. It helps my peace of mind and my family's peace of mind since I'm here alone," she said.

Sanders suffers from chronic back pain, and after a surgery earlier this year, Sanders said stepping over the tub became too difficult.

Now, with the modification, she said she's regained a sense of independence — and she's saved about $9,000, the average cost of a tub-to-shower conversion.

With those savings, Sanders said she can invest in modifying other parts of her home to support her through retirement.

Pasco and Pinellas county residents who apply to the program are eligible for home safety improvements and services, including:

• Tub-to-shower conversion
• Bedrails/handrails
• Electric lifts
• Enhanced chore
• Grab bars
• High-seated toilet
• Hospital bed
• Hurricane preparedness
• Lift chair
• Non-slip flooring
• Ring camera/video doorbell
• Smart appliances
• Smart pill dispenser

To reach the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, email [email protected] or call
727-570-9696 x 163.

Gabriella Paul covers the stories of people living paycheck to paycheck in the greater Tampa Bay region for WUSF. S
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Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging Announces Collaboration with Ring to Help Senior Residents Age in Place and Enhance Safety
 
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Senator Lauren Book (D-FL) Express Support for Collaboration

SUNRISE, Fla. – December 13, 2022 – The Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging announced a new community initiative in collaboration with Ring to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life as they age. Ring, whose mission is to make neighborhoods safer, is making a monetary contribution and donating over 1,000 Ring and Amazon devices, including 50 Ring Video Doorbells and 50 Echo Show 8’s, to each of the 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) throughout Florida.

“We are very excited about this new initiative with Ring,” stated Lisa Bretz, President of the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Executive Director of Advantage Aging Solutions. “This donation will help provide an additional layer of support and security for our older adults as well as give them peace of mind as they remain independent.”

The mission at the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging is to promote the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida’s seniors, their families, and caregivers. The network of Area Agencies on Aging functions as a coordinated body for information and access to services for all Floridians seeking long-term care resources. This collaboration is intended to leverage technology to support agency programs that assist older adults with diverse needs to stay connected, independent, and safe at home as they age in place.
“In the past few years, it has become clear how essential technology is to stay connected,” added Charlotte Mather-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. “We hope Ring's donation will make a difference for seniors looking to feel more secure at home and facilitate communication with their loved ones.”

“As your leader and advocate in Congress, I will continue working to deliver critical legislation and resources that improve the quality of life for seniors throughout our district and the state of Florida,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “I applaud the collaborative efforts of The Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Ring to help our seniors securely age in place. This community initiative will provide much-needed support for older adults who desire to maintain their connectivity, safety, and independence.”

“Technology can be a wonderful tool to provide peace of mind and safety as our loved ones get older,” shared Senator Lauren Book. “Broward County thanks Ring and Amazon for the donation of devices to our local Area Agency on Aging and those throughout the state, adding one more layer of security at the doorsteps of our aging residents.”
 
In December 2021, Ring launched a similar collaboration with the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas to support and empower seniors. Since this program’s launch and the successful anecdotes shared by AAA of Pasco-Pinellas, AAA’s throughout the state of Florida expressed interest in expanding this work statewide to reach their communities and more seniors.

“We were honored to work with the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas late last year and are thrilled at the positive reception that this program received from local seniors and other Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state,” said Karla Torres, Head of Community Engagement at Ring. “We continue to lean on experts like Charlotte and the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging to understand how Ring can best support senior safety and well-being. We are excited to scale our efforts this year to include Ring and Amazon technology that is easy-to- use, convenient, and can help seniors stay connected with family members and loved ones. We look forward to learning how we can continue to support seniors and caregivers throughout
Florida.”
 
 Program Overview:

Ring will donate the following devices and services at no cost to each of the 11 AAA locations throughout the state of Florida:
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• 50 Ring Video Doorbells with a free Ring Protect Basic subscription for the life of each donated device.
• 50 Echo Show 8 devices and Motion Sensors with an optional 30-day Alexa Together subscription. With the Echo Show 8, users have the ability to make video calls, schedule Routines and even have them start once motion is sensed, or set timers and update lists by asking Alexa. Alexa Together is a remote caregiving service, designed to give family members peace of mind with features like 24/7 access to trained Urgent Response agents.
• 50 Ring Security Yard Signs.
• Each AAA location will distribute devices on a first come, first served basis to eligible senior residents.
• Device eligibility will be determined by each AAA organization.
• Ring will offer technology and installation training to each AAA location.

 
Photos available for download here.
 
About The Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging. The 11 Florida Associations of Area Agencies on Aging operate as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), which function as a single, coordinated system for information and access to services for all Floridians seeking long-term care resources. The ADRCs provide information and assistance about state and federal benefits and local programs and services.
By sharing a common information and referral system, the ADRCs can provide elders with uniform aid no matter where they live. This system also offers the public access to a statewide database of local community resources, available online or by calling the Elder Helpline toll- free at 1-800-96 ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
  
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