What are the changes taking place with air travel security? I have heard everyone will have to have a passport even to take a flight inside the United States?
On Oct. 1, 2020, the federally mandated REAL ID law goes into full enforcement, and if you travel by air, this law will impact you. If you haven’t been paying attention to REAL ID, it’s time to get informed.
REAL ID is the post-9/11 federal requirement that sets higher security standards for identification. Once in full effect, standard state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards no longer will be good enough in Homeland Security scenarios, such as boarding flights within the United States and entering certain federal facilities, such as military bases or nuclear power plants.
The good news is many people already have a REAL ID document, such as a valid U.S. passport, a DHS Trusted Traveler Card or an Enhanced Driver’s License. A full list of acceptable REAL ID documents is available at the Transportation Security Administration’s website www.tsa.gov. The bad news is your standard driver’s license or ID card isn’t on that list, unless you turn it into a REAL ID-compliant document by visiting a Secretary of State branch office and presenting the required documents.
Here’s what you’ll need to bring:
- Your driver’s license or state ID card.
- Your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)
- If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents for every time your name has changed, such as marriage licenses or court orders.
There’s no additional fee to turn a license or state ID card into a standard REAL ID if it’s done during your normal renewal time; otherwise a duplicate card fee will be charged. So, don’t delay. REAL ID goes into effect Oct. 1, 2020.
Remember to check your Part D drug plan during open enrollment, October 15th through December 7th!
Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 during which you can review your current prescription drug plan, or your Medicare Advantage plan, and compare it to others to see what your best option is for the upcoming calendar year. You can do this by going online to Medicare.gov and clicking on “Find Health and Drug Plans.” This year, the plan finder has been updated and everyone is encouraged to create an account in order to get specific plan information. If you don’t have computer access or aren’t comfortable going online, The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has counselors certified by the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) who are available to assist in objectively reviewing your current Medicare plan and comparing other Medicare drug plan choices. This service is free and confidential.
It is a good idea to double-check your options every year because so many variables can impact the cost of your coverage, such as cost of individual drugs and whether your plan still covers all the drugs you take. If you would like some help comparing Medicare plans, call the AAA’s main office line, after October 1, at 269-983-0177. There are counselors in other locations in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, as well as AAA’s office, so we can help you find a counselor near you.
Area Agency on Aging will be moving in the direction of Enrollment Events with local MMAP counselors to offer walk-in service, so individual appointments are limited. These will be held at 2920 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph, from 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm, on Monday, Oct. 21st; Tuesday, Nov. 5th; Tuesday, Nov. 19th; and Thursday, Dec. 5th. You will need to bring your ID, a current medication list, and ALL your insurance cards, including your Medicare Card. No registration is required. The last person signed in at 3:30 pm will be seen.