Flint Township View

Business Briefs





20th annual Community Holiday Dinner

FLINT
— The Genesee County Bar Foundation and Bar Association 20th Annual Community Holiday Dinner is scheduled for Dec. 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 755 S. Saginaw St., downtown Flint.

The free dinner will feature a full meal. Children will have their photographs taken with Santa Claus and receive a small gift. No reservations necessary.

Details: Call 810-232-6012. — G.G.

Flint IRS relocates office

FLINT
— The Internal Revenue Service announces the relocation of its Taxpayer Assistance Center in Flint. With the tax season approaching, the IRS is informing Genesee County residents that the local IRS office will be moving effective Dec. 13.

The current location at 815 S. Saginaw, Flint, will close at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9. The new location at 917 N. Saginaw, Flint, MI 48503 will open at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

“The new location offers plenty of free parking,” said John Crawford, IRS spokesperson. “There are also bus stops near the building.”

“The move was scheduled prior to the tax filing season to have minimal impact on taxpayers who want to visit the office,” said Crawford.

The office will be closed all day Dec. 10, and during the morning of Dec. 13. Normal business hours, which will resume on Dec. 14, are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — G.G.

Medicare Advantage plans receive highest ratings

DETROIT
— Health Alliance Plan (HAP) has received the highest star ratings in Michigan for all three Medicare Advantage products from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The five-star rating system is used by CMS to monitor plans to ensure that they meet Medicare’s standards for quality of care and customer service. The ratings provide Medicare beneficiaries with a tool to compare Medicare Advantage plans.

The star ratings are currently based on criteria that show how well the plan performs in a number of categories, including member satisfaction, customer responsiveness and service, and actual quality of care such as how often members get recommended preventive services and chronic disease management.

Coverage for individuals who enroll during this period begins January 1, 2011. Now is the time for Medicare beneficiaries who do not receive coverage through an employer to review their current medical and prescription drug coverage for 2011. Those who have health benefits from an employer group plan should ask the company or union for advice before signing up for any plan. — G.G.


Leave a Reply