Senior benefits in Major County, Oklahoma

The Long Term Care Authority (LTCA) of Enid has been the Area Agency on Aging for Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Major and Noble counties since 2016. Its Older Americans Act services include transportation, information and assistance, legal assistance, senior nutrition, the long-term care ombudsman, and family caregiver services. It also offers senior Medicare counseling, ADvantage long-term care program information, caregiver support groups and respite help for grandparents raising children. Call 580-234-7475 or toll free 888-858-9628.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

Fairview Regional Medical Center in Fairview, a critical access hospital, has a charity care policy based on family size and gross income compared with the federal poverty guidelines. Patients in households below 200% of the poverty level get a sliding-scale discount, and those below 100% pay only a small fixed fee. Charity care covers medically necessary clinic visits and in-house lab and X-ray services, and it can also cover balances from the 90 days before you apply. The hospital may ask for recent tax returns, last year's W-2s, a Social Security benefit letter, or your 3 most recent pay stubs. Uninsured patients who are not approved for charity care can get a self-pay discount and may set up monthly payments. Applications are available at the hospital Business Office, 523 East State Road, Fairview, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 580-227-3721 to confirm the current policy before you apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

MAGB Transportation, based in Fairview, is a rural public transit provider serving Major, Harper, Woods and Texas counties. Service is open to the public. The local Area Agency on Aging lists MAGB as a ride provider for people 60 and older, with rides scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 580-227-3374.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year