I recently saw a full-page ad in a magazine for a book that lists "free stuff for seniors," mostly health information or services paid for by the government. The book costs $14.95. This seems like a good buy to me, what do you think?
The answer to your question comes from Carole Walton, a special agent in the Kansas Attorney General's Office:
"About a year ago, the Consumer Protection Divison began to receive a number of telephone and mail inquiries from Kansas seniors who had read an ad in a popular farm magazine. The ad was promoting a book that professed to convey valuable information on little-known United States government benefit programs for seniors. Some of the benefits mentioned in the ad included the availabilty of free prescription drugs, free dental care and cash to help pay for groceries, utility or rent bills. It listed free medical care for diseases such as Alzheimer's or heart disease. Also listed in the ad were promises of travel benefits, such as being paid to spend the summer at a national park or earning $100 a day to travel overseas. According to the ad, the key to learning the details on how to obtain some of these benefits was to send $14.95 (plus shipping and handling) to buy the book.
"We have recently learned that the ad has appeared again, causing seniors to inquire about the promotion of this book. We want to warn seniors that the ad is misleading and specifically designed to sell the book. The truth is, many of the programs mentioned have specific income and assest eligibility guidelines. For example, not all states have the free prespcription drug program, not all drugs are covered and certain guidelines must be met. The ad listed free dental care. In Kansas, Medicaid only covers dental care in a case of reconstructive surgery following an accident or other major event. There are clinics in some urban areas, but not in most rural areas. The Kansas Dental Assn. provides some assistance, but currently there is a long waiting list. These are just two of the programs described in the ad that can mislead seniors.
"According to the Kansas Department on Aging, any information regarding services available to Kansas seniors is freely given to anyone who inquires. The state agency does its best to help Kansas seniors by disseminating the information through newspaper articles, public services announcements, state fairs and senior fairs. The Kansas Department on Aging contends that the advertisement for this booklet inaccurately promises help that is not available to all seniors and is not available in all states. The ad does not tell seniors that information on all of these programs is available free of charge through state units on aging and area agencies on aging. In other words, you can save $14.95 by simply calling the Kansas Department on Aging, (800) 432-3535."
-- If you have a question or comment for "Sense for Seniors," write to Betty Gibb, Kansas Senior Press Service, 11875 S. Sunset, Suite 200, Olathe 66061.
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