VAN e-Bulletin November 2025

Questioning Assumptions: Where Change Begins

By Donna Comer, VAN volunteer

Once a week, I sit with a small group of high school students—eight of us gathered around a table—ready to take on whatever question their coursework throws our way. My job isn’t to give answers but to guide the conversation, helping them stretch their thinking and recognize that most issues have more than one side.

Recently, their government teacher assigned them a tough one: Create a new law—something original and as nonpartisan as possible that they would present to Congress. They had to be able to defend their bill.

One student proposed setting a maximum age for presidential candidates. “We already have a minimum age of 35,” she reasoned. “So maybe age 65 should be the maximum.”

I laughed and said, “Well, there goes my chance to be president.” She laughed too, but I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes.

Have you received a Medicare or Medicare Advantage denial? Here’s what to do.

A stethoscope on a form with a pen nearby

Frank Commers, a retired Medicare hearing officer and a member of the VAN community, recently reminded us about the ongoing problem of denials of medical claims and what to do if you get a denial.

A review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found that 75% of Medicare Advantage denials are overturned when enrollees and health care providers file appeals. Enrollees and providers appeal only 1% of the denials.

What to do?

Frank recommends this summary from NOLO, an organization that helps consumers find answers to their everyday legal and business questions.

How to Appeal Your Medicare or Advantage Plan Denial

If you’re denied Medicare coverage or payment for a hospital stay, doctor's visit, or medical procedure, here's how to appeal.

Thank you, Frank Commers, for sharing this information.

Upcoming VAN Events

Wellness 50+ Oakdale

Craft Socials with Nicki Fischer

Sunday, December 21 | 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Oakdale Discovery Center

Need more table space, like to share your crafting, need help to finish a craft, or just want to see what others are working on - come to this program.

Refreshments provided.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Friday, December 26 | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Oakdale Discovery Center

Visit the calendar on the VAN website for ongoing Wellness 50+ Oakdale events

Wellness 50+ Twin Cities

Intro to Archery

Thursday, December 4 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Chilakoot Bowhunters, a private indoor archery range in Somerset WI, will once again host us for an Introductory session. Instruction and equipment provided. No prior experience necessary. A potluck lunch is planned for after the lesson. Register on Meetup.

Holiday Lights in Stillwater (Currently full, click on the link to join the waitlist)

Tuesday, December 9 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

We will enjoy walking downtown Stillwater to see the holiday lights and decorations. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place the weekend before. Register on Meetup.

Aging with Gusto

Watch for Aging with Gusto sessions coming in February and March 2026 that are open to everyone.

Are you interested in hosting a three-part Aging with Gusto session or a Confronting Ageism session? Please email us at AWG@vital-aging-network.org and let us know what you have in mind.

We Love Receiving Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs

IRA owners and beneficiaries age 70½ and older can use their IRAs to donate money to a qualified charitable organization (VAN qualifies!) without paying taxes on the distribution (check with your tax professional).

The QCD must be withdrawn from your IRA before year-end, so now's the time to request the transfer from your financial institution.

Learn more about QCDs.

If you decide to donate using a QCD, send us a quick email so we know who it is from (sometimes financial institutions send a check without noting the contributor's name or address).

Thanks for considering a contribution to VAN, as a QCD or with a direct contribution.

Donate today!

Good to Know

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec 7

Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year and is a period when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. The changes will become effective January 1. Learn more and get help from Minnesota Aging Pathways.

Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging 2025 Summit

Are you interested in having your voice heard on policy issues that affect older adults? Attend this year’s Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging Summit on December 10 (Zoom) and 16 (St. Catherine University). This conference is Minnesota’s only systems-level conference focused on aging policy. Learn more and register.

Home is Where the Health Is: Making the Right Move

Join Central Minnesota Council on Aging for the first session in this two-part virtual series exploring the challenges and the possibilities of finding the right place to call home. December 15, 2025 - 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Free. Register.

Legacy Letters: What Will You Leave Behind?

Gray Panthers NYC, Transformation Tuesdays

Nov 25, 2025, 1:00 PM Central Time on Zoom

Leave an inheritance more valuable than money—life wisdom. Join us to learn how to write a Legacy Letter that shares your values, love, and life lessons across generations. Amy Paul will guide participants through the art and importance of creating a Legacy Letter—an ancient practice that has reemerged as a meaningful tradition for families today. Register.

How Americans Are Thinking About Aging

Pew Research Center

The Pew Research Center surveyed 8,750 U.S. adults from Sept. 2 to 8, 2025, to understand how they’re thinking about aging. They wanted to learn how things are going for older Americans as they age, what younger adults think about aging, aspects of aging that people feel they can control, and more. Read their findings.

What’s New in Aging

Richard Eisenberg, with Next Avenue, attended this year’s Gerontological Society of America (GSA) annual conference and reports on what he learned about longevity, family caregiving, retirement living and more. Read the article.