Des Moines – Iowans currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan have options to switch through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period that continues through March 31.
“During this open enrollment period Iowans can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.  They can even go back to Original Medicare and, if needed, join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan,” Kristin Griffith, Director of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) said.

Iowans switching Medicare Advantage Plans or switching to Original Medicare with or without a Medicare drug plan, will have new coverage start the first day of the month after your new plan gets your request for coverage. “Iowans should keep in mind, if you go back to Original Medicare, you may not be able to buy a Medicare Supplement insurance policy.  Call 1-800-351-4664 to be connected to a SHIIP counselor who can help you make the change and answer your questions,” Griffith said.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period isn’t for people who are enrolled in Original Medicare or are enrolled in a Medicare Cost plan.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – One month of 2021 already behind us, but there are still several days left before the tax filing season opens for 2020. I-R-S spokesman, Christopher Miller, says February 12th is the first day you can file. “If that seems a little late to some people — we have changed the date depending on what we need to do to our systems,” Miller explains. “The February 12th start date allows the I-R-S to do additional programming and testing of the I-R-S system.”

He says that additional programming is needed after the tax change that came on December 27th. Miller says that was the change that brought the second round of economic impact payments and other benefits, and the programming is needed to keep things running smoothly. Miller says the changes ensure that eligible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return. “If filing season were open without the correct programming in place — then there could be a delay in issuing refunds to taxpayers — and nobody wants that,” according to Miller. ” These changes ensure that eligible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a recovery rebate credit when they file their 2020 tax return.”

Miller says the agency is still urging you to file electronically with direct deposit as soon as you have the information they need. He says you can get the tax returns completed now and the returns will be transmitted to the I-R-S when the filing season opens on February 12th.

(Radio Iowa) – Scammers are targeting some Iowans who are trying to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Larry Jones, a public health expert, says criminals are pretending to be from a local health department or another organization in order to get your personal information. “Health departments, etcetera, are not going to be asking people for their credit card numbers or personal information of that nature,” says Jones. “They’re going to be wanting to know your name, probably a telephone or an email to be able to get back with you, but they’re not going to be asking you for financial information.”

Jones says some of the scammers have built sophisticated websites with authentic-looking vaccine sign-up forms. “They look very legitimate like they are a local health department and they’re not,” says Jones. “When you go onto their site, they start asking for their credit card and their Medicare or Medicaid numbers and things of that nature.”

If you get a call, email or letter from your local, county or state health department that looks suspicious, call that agency directly before responding.

The Atlantic Community School District Board of Directors and representatives with the Non-Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit (CBU) are set to begin contract negotiations on Wednesday, February 2. The meeting starts at 4:00 p.m. at the High School Media Center, and will be available for viewing live on YouTube. The meeting is open to the Public. The NCS CBU will present its proposal first, followed by the Atlantic Board of Education’s proposal.

In the last school year (2020-2021), the non-certified staff CBU negotiated a 2.31% increase, at an estimated cost of $68,357.64. In 2020-2021, the certified staff CBU negotiated a 2.28% increase for the 2020-21 school years, with an estimated cost of $157,503.82.

(Radio Iowa) A House committee has voted to create two new state tax incentives for expanding child care in Iowa, but backers admit both bills are not in final form. Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson says the first would establish a new state tax credit for property developers.

The other bill would offer state tax breaks to business owners that promise to expand on-site day care centers for their employees or build new ones. State economic development officials have asked for more guidelines for how businesses would qualify. Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque says these two bills are a start.

Other bills on the topic are pending. One that’s eligible for House debate would increase the number of Iowa parents who are eligible to claim a state income tax credit for child care expenses.

(Radio Iowa) – Students in Iowa’s K-through-12 schools would be led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day under legislation that’s cleared initial review in the Iowa House. Representative Joe Mitchell, a Republican from Wayland, says Iowa is one of four states that doesn’t have this requirement.

If the bill becomes law, students would not be forced to stand and say the pledge if they or their parents object. Parochial schools would be exempted if the pledge conflicts with the school’s religion. The Iowa State Education Association — that’s the state teachers’ union — is registered in support of the bill, while other groups representing school boards and school administrators are registered as undecided.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa public health officials say coronavirus testing has identified three cases in Iowa of the virus variant strain found in the United Kingdom. Two of the cases were found in Johnson County in eastern Iowa and one in Bremer County in northeast Iowa. Based on scientific study of the variant strain called B.1.1.7. researchers believe it can spread more easily than the original strain of COVID-19 and it is believed to be deadlier. Current vaccines are believed to be effective against the strain. However, Iowa vaccine rollout has been slow. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Iowa has delivered 190,689 first vaccine doses to individuals, or 6,044 per 100,000 people, the third lowest rate among states.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The second of three suspects accused of firing shots into a Sioux City home during a New Year’s party has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. Eighteen-year-old Carlos Morales, of Sioux City, entered his plea Monday. Police allege he and two others fired at least 27 shots into a house where 20 to 25 people were partying. Eighteen-year-old Mita Kritis was killed and three others were injured. Morales’ brother, 19-year-old Christopher Morales, pleaded not guilty earlier to the same charges. A third suspect, 18-year-old Anthony Bauer, has not entered a plea.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man shot in an apparent domestic disturbance at a Davenport home over the weekend has died. The Quad-City Times reports that the shooting happened just before noon on Saturday. Officers called to the scene on Fillmore Street found 33-year-old Nicholas Brown, of Davenport, suffering from a gunshot wound. Brown was rushed to a Davenport hospital with critical injuries. Police say he died at the hospital on Monday. Police have not released other details of the shooting, including whether police have a suspect or have made any arrests in the case.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The second of three suspects accused of firing shots into a Sioux City home during a New Year’s party has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. Eighteen-year-old Carlos Morales, of Sioux City, entered his plea Monday. Police allege he and two others fired at least 27 shots into a house where 20 to 25 people were partying.

Eighteen-year-old Mita Kritis was killed and three others were injured. Morales’ brother, 19-year-old Christopher Morales, pleaded not guilty earlier to the same charges. A third suspect, 18-year-old Anthony Bauer, has not entered a plea.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, reported the arrest on Jan. 29th, of 35-year old Brandon Amos Woodruff, of Omaha. He was arrested at the Mills County Jail on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held in the jail without bond.

And, Glenwood Police report three arrests. On Monday (Feb. 1), 37-year old Kristina Erwin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a prescription drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her cash/surety bond was set at $2,300.

On Sunday, 49-year old Earl Nosekabel, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And, on Friday, Glenwood Police arrested 47-year old Edwin Rogers, of Glenwood, on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $5,000.