8
W hen you have high blood pressure (HBP) you take prescripon medicaon in order to feel beer and prevent HBP’s se- rious side effects on your body that could potenally kill you. But even if you are checking your blood pressure on a regular basis and taking your medicaon as pres- cribed, you need to be aware of complica- ons when taking other prescripon and over-the-counter (OTC)medicaons such as cold and flu remedies. If you have HBP, and don’t know it, OTC medicaons can increase your HBP to dangerously high levels. If you are cu- rrently taking medicaon for HBP and you mix it with other medicaons, your HBP could dramacally increase or the HBP me- dicaon could interact with the cold and flu medicaon prevenng either drug from working properly. People with high blood pressure should be aware that the use of deconges- tants may raise blood pressure or interfere with the effecveness of some prescribed blood pressure medicaons. Many (OTC) cold and flu preparaons contain decon- gestants such as: NSAIDS Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs NSAIDS may be included in both prescrip- on and over-the-counter medicaon. They are oſten used to relieve pain or re- duce inflammaon from condions such as arthris. Oxymetazoline Phenylephrine Pseudoephedrine High levels of sodium T he Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce a new program designed for eligible race track workers with diabetes. The program provides up to $250 towards the purchase price of a pair of work boots specifically designed and measured to help protect the feet from sores, rubs, and cuts. To be eligible for the special work boots a person must meet the Fund’s usual eligibility requirement plus the individual must have been licensed in the prior calendar year and diagnosed with diabetes. In addion, the individual must meet the majority of the components of being medically compliant with their diabetes treatment (regular doctor visits, prescripon medicaon use and controlled blood sugar). Once eligible the individual will receive a custom fing, three custom made inserts and the boots. Travel to Louisville for the fing may be required. Individuals are eligible for this benefit once every twelve months. For specific informaon about your eligibility contact Richard Riedel at 502-636-2900, extension 104. Volume 19, Issue 1 January - June 2016 High Blood Pressure and OTC Medications Continued on Page 4 High Blood Pressure and OTC Medications Work boots For Diabetics Be sure and check the labels before ta- king an OTC medicaon. If you are not sure you can ask the pharmacist to assist you. When going to a doctor provide a list of ALL the medicaons and dosages you use, both prescripon and over-the-counter, to every doctor you visit. Talk to your doctor before using any over-the-counter medica- on, herbal preparaon, vitamins, or other nutrional supplements. Ask for alterna- ves to potenally harmful medicines. Eligible race track workers have plenty of free and low cost opportunies to learn if they have HBP and how to manage it through medicaon, diet and exercise. At Turfway Park horsemen can take advantage of the Horsemen’s Wellness Center @ Turfway Park where you can have your blood pressure taken and a me- dical consultaon for free. The Center is open, by appointment only, every Wednes- day during the race meet. There is also a February health fair held in the track kit- chen building where you can have your blood pressure taken for free. If there is a problem you can then seek medical advice at the Horsemen’s Wellness Center. See Donna in the H.B.P.A. office to arrange an appointment.

Volume 19, Issue 1 January - June 2016 High Blood Pressure ... · if they have HBP and how to manage it ... form of anxiety about going to the dentist. ... While the dentist can help

  • Upload
    lydien

  • View
    216

  • Download
    1

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

When you have high blood pressure (HBP) you take prescription medication in

order to feel better and prevent HBP’s se-rious side effects on your body that could potentially kill you. But even if you are checking your blood pressure on a regular basis and taking your medication as pres-cribed, you need to be aware of complica-tions when taking other prescription and over-the-counter (OTC)medications such as cold and flu remedies.

If you have HBP, and don’t know it, OTC medications can increase your HBP to dangerously high levels. If you are cu-rrently taking medication for HBP and you mix it with other medications, your HBP could dramatically increase or the HBP me-dication could interact with the cold and flu medication preventing either drug from working properly.

People with high blood pressure should be aware that the use of deconges-tants may raise blood pressure or interfere with the effectiveness of some prescribed blood pressure medications. Many (OTC) cold and flu preparations contain decon-gestants such as:

NSAIDSNonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory DrugsNSAIDS may be included in both prescrip-tion and over-the-counter medication. They are often used to relieve pain or re-duce inflammation from conditions such as arthritis.

• Oxymetazoline

• Phenylephrine

• Pseudoephedrine

• High levels of sodium

The Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce a new program designed for

eligible race track workers with diabetes. The program provides up to $250 towards the purchase

price of a pair of work boots specifically designed and measured to help protect the feet from sores, rubs,

and cuts. To be eligible for the special work boots a person must meet the Fund’s usual eligibility requirement plus the individual must have been licensed in the prior calendar year and diagnosed with diabetes. In addition, the individual must meet the majority of the components of being medically compliant with their diabetes treatment (regular doctor visits, prescription medication use and controlled blood sugar). Once eligible the individual will receive a custom fitting, three custom made inserts and the boots. Travel to Louisville for the fitting may be required. Individuals are eligible for this benefit once every twelve months. For specific information about your eligibility contact Richard Riedel at 502-636-2900, extension 104.

Volume 19, Issue 1 January - June 2016

High Blood Pressure and OTC Medications Continued on Page 4

High Blood Pressureand OTC Medications

Work bootsFor Diabetics

Be sure and check the labels before ta-king an OTC medication. If you are not sure you can ask the pharmacist to assist you. When going to a doctor provide a list of ALL the medications and dosages you use, both prescription and over-the-counter, to every doctor you visit. Talk to your doctor before using any over-the-counter medica-tion, herbal preparation, vitamins, or other nutritional supplements. Ask for alternati-ves to potentially harmful medicines.

Eligible race track workers have plenty of free and low cost opportunities to learn if they have HBP and how to manage it through medication, diet and exercise.

At Turfway Park horsemen can take advantage of the Horsemen’s Wellness Center @ Turfway Park where you can have your blood pressure taken and a me-dical consultation for free. The Center is open, by appointment only, every Wednes-day during the race meet. There is also a February health fair held in the track kit-chen building where you can have your blood pressure taken for free. If there is a problem you can then seek medical advice at the Horsemen’s Wellness Center. See Donna in the H.B.P.A. office to arrange an appointment.

DISCLAIMER

The Kentucky Racing Health & Welfare Fund is a non-profit charitable organization that receives no government funding or public tax revenue.

It is not an insurance company and does not assume res-ponsibility for any incurred charges nor does it guarantee approval for any request for assistance. This newsletter should not be construed as a policy and shall not be consi-dered as an offer to extend assistance, benefits, coverage, payment, or medical advice. The Fund’s guidelines are changed at the sole discretion of the Fund and are mo-dified, extended, altered, and revised from time to time without prior notice. Therefore, any information supplied in any form must not be construed or regarded as creating an expressed or implied right to the services, coverage, or benefits the Fund may offer. A copy of the Fund’s current guidelines can be obtained by a written request submitted to the Fund.

FALSIFYING INFORMATION Once an individual applies to the Fund for assistance the

Fund will conduct a routine inquiry into the accuracy of the information that has been provided.

If the individual has provided inaccurate or false informa-tion pertaining to, but not limited to:• Work related injuries• False KHRC license information• Insurance or other benefit coverage (if eligible the

Fund will always be considered secondary)• Employment• Identities• Transferring benefits to a non-eligible individual

THe fOllOwing aCTiOn will Be Taken:

firsT Offense• No benefits until the Fund has been paid for all benefits

received under false pretenses.• Loss of benefits for six (6) months once the Fund has

been repaid.• Future benefits will be provided on a reimbursement

basis for six (6) months.

seCOnd Offense• Complete loss of benefits for a two (2) year period.

THird Offense• Complete and indefinite loss of all benefits

THe HOrse’s MOuTH is publishedtwo times a year

by the kentucky racing Health& welfare fund, inc.

Elizabeth Alarcon - Layout and Design Editor

kenTuCkY raCingHealTH & welfare fund, inC.

A non-profit charitable organizationEstablished 1978

Donald Ball - ChairmanRick Hiles - Vice Chairman

Dr. Randy Scheen - TreasurerCarol Hebel - Secretary

Peter W. Salmen - MemberRobert P. Benson, Jr. - Counsel

Richard Riedel - Executive DirectorKaren Pehlke - Director of OperationsErika Lowe - Director of Client ServicesElizabeth Alarcon - Service CoordinatorDonna Davis - Turfway Park & Ellis Park

Service CoordinatorDiana Varon - Keeneland & TTC

Service Coordinator

422 HeYwOOd aVenuelOuisVille, kY 40208

Phone (502) 636-2900 (800) 548-3662

Fax (502) 636-2955

Website Address: kyracinghealth.org

Email Address:[email protected]

Louisville office hours:Monday - Friday

9:00 am - 2:45 pm

Health benefits provided since 1978 - Dec 2015$ 40.8 Million

Kentucky Race Track Retirement contributions since 2001 - Dec 2015

$ 5.5 Million

2

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

LIKE US ON

Dental care ranks number one as the health care service most skimped on, even for those who

have dental insurance. One in five adults report that they had unmet dental care because they couldn’t afford necessary care, according to the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center. People said they were more likely to go without dental care than prescription drugs, doctor or specialist care, and medical tests.

Putting off regular dental check-ups leads to the inevitable - tooth decay and gum disease. Once your mouth starts hurting then the fear really sets in....the fear of the needle and drill. It’s a vicious cycle: You’re so terrified of the dentist’s drill that you avoid checkups like the plague. As a result, you don’t get preventive care, your teeth get worse — and you end up having to suffer through yet another drilling session. Which makes you even more terrified of the dentist’s chair than you were before. We won’t even talk about extractions!

Sound familiar? You’re far from alone in your fear.

Millions of people suffer from some form of anxiety about going to the dentist. There is even a word for it: dentophobia, the fear of dentistry and of receiving dental care. The fear of pain is commonly cited as the primary reason adults avoid the chair, with a root canal treatment listed as the most feared procedure.

Adults are as afraid of getting a root canal as they are of flying on an airplane during a storm, and are more fearful of the procedure than of speaking in public and most people would rather die than have to give a speech.

Some dentists offer sedation for dental-phobic patients. But there are a variety of non-chemical and fear-taming techniques dentists and their patients can try together.

“Our dentists always tell the patient that it’s OK to feel scared … it’s a natural reaction,” said Tim Muhsen, spokesman for Universal Dental Clinics, which runs seven

offices in the Chicago area. “Then they explain exactly what they are going to do. Some doctors make it fun by using music, or they keep talking to the patient about a lot of different things so they forget the treatment. Some tell jokes. Some use the TV as a tool to calm the patient’s fears.”

The American Dental Association offers these tips for patients who break out in a sweat the moment they set foot in the dentist’s office:

• share your anxiety. If you’re tense or anxious, tell your dentist and the dental staff. Getting your concerns out in the open will let your dentist adapt the treatment to your needs.

• Help yourself. Choose a time for your dental visit when you’re less likely to be rushed or under pressure. For some people, that means a Saturday or an early-morning appointment.

• wear headphones. If the sound of the drill is more than you can take, bring headphones and listen to your favorite music. Some dental offices will even show TV programs or DVDs. During the visit, try visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach.

While the dentist can help you overcome your fears, the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund can help you with the cost of most dental procedures and help you find a dentist, if you don’t have a dentist that sees you regularly.

The Fund may be able to provide up to $1,000 in dental benefits each year depending on the number of years you have consecutively held a racing license in Kentucky and the type of dental procedure you need. For additional information about dental and other benefits for health related needs contact our Louisville office at 502-636-2900 or visit an office at a race track near you soon.

resources:kaiser health news.org and lifezette.com

3

Kentucky Racing Health Services Center422 Heywood avenue louisville, kY 40208 • (502) 636-2900

BY aPPOinTMenT OnlY • Monday 10:00 am - 3:30 pm • Wednesday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm • Friday 10:00 am - 3:30 pmMusT PresenT a CurrenT PaYrOll CHeCk or PaYrOll CHeCk sTuB & CurrenT kHrC liCense wHen sCHeduling an aPPOinTMenT

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

Don’t Fear the ChairAnxiety and cost keep adults from regular dental check-ups.

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

4

422 Heywood avenuelouisville, kY 40208

(502) 636-5950Contact: Jerri gaines

Call fOr an aPPOinTMenTMonday through Friday

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

studio apartment - $4721 Bedroom apartment - $506

• One block from Churchill Downs• All utilities included in rent• On-site laundry facility• Appliances furnished with carpet & blinds

Must be 55 or olderor disabled Income eligible

THE OLD SCHOOLApartments

Complications ofHigh Blood Pressure

When blood pressure stays high over time, it can damage the body and cause complications. Some common complications

and their signs and symptoms include:

• aneurysms: Bulges in the wall of an artery can develop and grow for years without causing signs or symptoms until they rupture, grow large enough to press on nearby body parts, or block blood flow.

• Chronic kidney disease: When blood vessels narrow in the kidneys, possibly causing kidney failure.

• Cognitive Changes: Signs and symptoms include memory loss, difficulty finding words, and losing focus during conversations.

• eye damage: When blood vessels in the eyes burst or bleed. Signs and symptoms include vision changes or blindness.

• Heart attack: The most common warning symptoms of a heart attack are chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort, and shortness of breath.

• Heart failure: Common signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath or trouble breathing; feeling tired; and swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and veins in the neck.

• Peripheral artery disease: The most common are pain, cramping, numbness, aching, or heaviness in the legs, feet, and buttocks after walking or climbing stairs.

• stroke: The symptoms of a stroke include sudden onset of weakness; paralysis or numbness of the face, arms, or legs; trouble speaking or understanding speech; and trouble seeing.

Common symptomsof High Blood Pressure

You should not try to evaluate your symptoms in an attempt to self-diagnose high blood pressure. Diagnosis should only be made by a healthcare

professional. A variety of symptoms may be indirectly related to HBP but are not always caused by HBP, such as:

• Severe headaches• Severe anxiety• Shortness of breath• Nosebleeds• No symptoms at all

High Blood Pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” and you may have it and show no symptoms. That is why is important to have periodic check-ups.

If you are stabled at Keeneland or The Thoroughbred Center, the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund can help you arran-ge, if you are eligible, a free or low cost doctor’s visit. Offices are located at each facility. See Diana to arrange an appointment.

If you are stabled at Churchill Downs or Trackside, you may have your blood pressure taken at the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center. The Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday all year long. For those who are eligible, there is a $5.00 co-pay for each visit. To arrange an appointment contact the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund at 422 Heywood Ave-nue, Louisville or call 502-636-2900.

If you are stabled anywhere else in Kentucky you may learn if you are eligible by calling the Fund at the number listed above.

resourcesnational Heart, lung and Blood institute,

american Heart association,web Md

High Blood Pressure and OTC Medications Continued from Page 1

(502) 636-5950

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

from MayoClinic.orghttp:www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/basics/

used with permission of Mayo foundationfor Medical education and research, all rights reserved.

Dry eyes is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication

for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons. For example, dry eyes may occur if you don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears.

Dry eyes feel uncomfortable. If you have dry eyes, your eyes may sting or burn. You may experience dry eyes in certain situa-tions, such as on an airplane, in an air-condi-tioned room, while riding a bike or after loo-king at a computer screen for a few hours.

Treatments for dry eyes may make you more comfortable. These treatments can in-clude lifestyle changes and eye drops. You’ll likely need to take these measures indefini-tely to control the symptoms of dry eyes.

Signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:• A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation

in your eyes• Stringy mucus in or around your eyes• Sensitivity to light• Eye redness• A sensation of having something in your

eyes• Difficulty wearing contact lenses• Difficulty with nighttime driving• Watery eyes, which is the body’s response

to the irritation of dry eyes• Blurred vision or eye fatigue

when to see a doctorSee your doctor if you’ve had prolonged

signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including red, irritated, tired or painful eyes. Your doctor can take steps to determine what’s bothering your eyes or refer you to a spe-cialist.

To relieve your signs and symptoms whi-le you wait for your appointment, try over-the-counter eye drops. Look for lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) and avoid those that advocate reducing redness in the eyes. eye drops that reduce eye redness can cau-se additional eye irritation.

Dry eyes are caused by a lack of adequate tears. Your tears are a complex mixture of water, fatty oils and mucus. This mixture helps make the surface of your eyes smooth and clear, and it helps protect your eyes from infection.

For some people, the cause of dry eyes is decreased tear production. For others it’s increased tear evaporation and an imbalan-ce in the makeup of your tears.

decreased tear productionCommon causes of decreased tear pro-

duction include:• Aging• Certain medical conditions, including dia-

betes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scle-roderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency

• Certain medications, including antihista-mines, decongestants, hormone replace-ment therapy, antidepressants, and drugs for high blood pressure, acne, birth con-trol and Parkinson’s disease

• Laser eye surgery, though symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary

• Tear gland damage from inflammation or radiation

increased tear evaporationCommon causes of increased tear evapo-

ration include:• Wind, smoke or dry air• Blinking less often, which tends to occur when you’re concentrating, for example,

whi-le rea-

ding, dri-ving or wor-

king at a computer• Eyelid problems, such

as out-turning of the lids and in-turning of the lids

imbalance in tear composition

The tear film has three basic layers: oil, water and mucus. Problems with any of the-se layers can cause dry eyes. For example, the oil film produced by small glands on the edge of your eyelids might become clogged.

Factors that make it more likely that you’ll experience dry eyes include:• Being older than 50. Tear production tends

to diminish as you get older. Dry eyes are common in people over 50.

• Being a woman. A lack of tears is more common in women, especially if they ex-perience hormonal changes due to preg-nancy, using birth control pills or meno-pause.

• Wearing contact lenses

People who have dry eyes may experien-ce these complications:• eye infections. Your tears protect the sur-

face of your eyes from infection. Without adequate tears, you may have an increa-sed risk of eye infection.• damage to the surface of your eyes. If

left untreated, severe dry eyes may lead to eye inflammation, abrasion of the corneal surface, corneal ulcer and vision problems.

• decreased quality of life. Dry eyes can make it difficult to perform everyday activi-ties, such as reading.

You’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor. He or she may then refer you to an

5

Doctor My EyesWas I unwise to leave them dry

and burning for so long?

doctor My eyes Continued on Page 6

DON’T FORGET YOUR MONTHLY MEDICINEIf you take monthly medications for asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, hormones, mental health, psoriasis, thyroid, glaucoma, acid reflux, ulcer’s or certain other chronic conditions the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund may be able to continue to assist you when you ship out of Kentucky.To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

1. Must pre-register with the Fund prior to leaving Kentucky2. Currently receiving benefits from the Fund.3. Currently taking medication for one or more of the above illnesses.4. Must have been licensed and worked in Kentucky during six of the twelve

months prior to applying for the OOPS program.5. Must contact the racing jurisdiction to which you are shipping to see if you

are eligible to receive prescription benefits.6. Must continue to work for the same employer for whom you last worked

for in Kentucky during the period you are out-of-state.7. Benefits are on a reimbursement basis

6

Gone…… But Not FORGOTTENThe Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund

pays tribute to the following dedicated individuals who have recently passed awayafter dedicating many years in the Kentucky

racing industry:

danny allen trainerCarl wayne anderson groomJames Carlin groomwallace “wally” dollase trainerCharlie gott hot Walkereverett Hammond trainerdanton “dan” Hays trainerTommy skinner trainerscott sowle Jockey/TrainerBarry wheatley Jockey Agent

eye specialist (ophthalmologist). Because appointments can be brief, it’s a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment.

what you can do• list any symptoms you’re experiencing,

including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

• list key personal information, including any recent life changes.

• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you’re taking.

• list questions to ask your doctor.

For dry eyes, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:• What’s the most likely cause of my dry

eyes?• Do I need any tests?• Can dry eyes get better on their own?• What are my treatment options?• What are the potential side effects of each

treatment?• I have other health conditions. How can I

best manage these conditions together?• Is a generic drug available for the medici-

ne you’re prescribing me?• Do you have any brochures or other prin-

ted material that I can take with me?• What websites do you recommend?• Do I need to plan for a follow-up visit?

Don’t hesitate to ask additional ques-tions that may occur to you during your ap-pointment.

what to expect from your doctorYour doctor may ask:

• Can you describe your symptoms?• Do you recall when you first began expe-

riencing symptoms?• Have your symptoms been continuous or

occasional?• Do other members of your family have dry

eyes?• Have you tried over-the-counter eye

drops? Did they provide relief?• Are your symptoms worse in the morning

or late in the day?• What medications do you take?• Have you had any radiation to the head

or neck?

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

Doctor My EyEsContinued from Page 5

By Appointment onlyContact Donna

in the Kentucky HBPAoffice for information

to schedule anappointment

medical helpfor non-work

related reasons,but don’t have timeto go to the doctor?

Horsemen’s Wellness Center @ Turfway Park

Open every Wednesday during Turfway Park Race Meet

2016 Sign-upRequirements

The first step in determining eligibility for a contribution is to sign-up. This must be done every year. the deadline for signing up is november 15.

liCensed assisTanT Trainers, eXerCise riders and sTaBle eMPlOYees are required to submit a copy of their 2015 W2s and/or 1099s from a trainer who made at least ten (10) Kentucky starts in 2015.

liCensed Trainers are required to submit one of the following: 2015 Form 1040 and schedules showing income of at least $5,200 or 2015 Form 1099s from Kentucky owner(s) showing income of at least $5,200 or a letter from their tax preparer stating their gross revenues from Kentucky racing in 2015 exceeded $5,200.

liCensed Owner/Trainers can submit one of the above or they can submit their 2015 1099s from Kentucky race track(s) showing income of at least $5,200.

To qualify for a contribution you must be a licensed Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Exercise Rider or Stable Employee.

Kentucky Race Track Retirement Plan

information must be presentedat time of sign-up.

for more information call (502) 636-2646.

7

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

Plan Ahead Sign-Up Now If planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now, signing up now for the Kentucky Race Track Retirement Plan is one the easiest ways to accumulate cash savings for that time when you eventually get back to the future for which you did or did not plan. It’s simple enough. Be sure you sign-up for the Plan every year, meet the income and employment requirements and you will receive a cash contribution to your account. Over the years that account will grow and when you reach retirement age you can begin to make monthly withdraws. The best part is that it is absolutely free. As if that wasn’t enough, the Plan has the flexibility that you may be able to collect if you become disabled. You can also leave the value of the account to a loved one, friend, or organization in the event you should die before you collect the money. So what are you waiting for, don’t get left in the past. There is no time like the present to plan for the future. See additional information about signing up on this page and the complete sign-up schedule on the back page of this newsletter.

Who’s Planning For the Future?The 2015 sign-up period closed on November 17, 2016. There were 327 eligible Members who shared in the $250,000 contribution from the Kentucky

Racing Health and Welfare Fund. That’s an 11 percent increase in participation over 2014. Unfortunately, 16 others had their accounts redistributed due to a break in service. The redistribution of funds was added to the accounts of the 327 eligible Members who signed up during the year.

Over $1.7 Million in Free MoneySince 2001, 270 Plan Members or their beneficiaries have received over $1.7 million dollars in retirement, disability, and death benefits. This was totally free money to the recipients as Members did not have to provide any of their own money or make a contribution to be able to participate. The beginning of 2016 found 23 retirees receiving monthly checks of $442 from the Plan. They will continue to receive that amount until their account is exhausted. You can also take a lesser amount each month if it is to your benefit when in certain Medicaid and tax situations.

Account Balance LossesLess Than 1 Percent

For 2015 Active Retirement Plan Members experienced a minor loss on their December 31, 2014 balance. This follows six consecutive year in which the Plan’s investment portfolio experienced growth. Plan Members who signed up and were eligible grew their accounts by an additional $764 when they received an equal share of the $250,000 contribution.

KENTUCKY RACE TRACK RETIREMENT PLAN1 - 502 - 636 - 2646

(SEE PAGE 8 FOR SIGN UP SCHEDULE)

$ 153,781Paid out to retiring vested

race trackers last year.

March 4 Friday Turfway Park 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.March 11 Friday Turfway Park 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. March 18 Friday Turfway Park 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. March 25 Friday Turfway Park 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

April 5 Tuesday Keeneland 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. April 14 Thursday Keeneland 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. April 20 Wednesday Keeneland 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

May 11 Wednesday Churchill Downs 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. May 12 Thursday Churchill Downs 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

June 7 Tuesday The Thoroughbred Center 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.June 8 Wednesday The Thoroughbred Center 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

July 15 Friday Ellis Park 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.mJuly 22 Friday Ellis Park 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m

august 12 friday Last Chance Sign up at Ellis Park 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.October 5 wednesday Last Chance Sign up at The Thoroughbred Center 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. October 6 Thursday Last Chance Sign up at Keeneland 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. november 11 friday Last Chance Sign up at Turfway Park 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Trainers MusT HaVe One Of THe fOllOwing aT TiMe Of sign-uP:

1. 2015 Form 1040 and Schedules showing income of at least $5,200 or

2. 2015 Form 1099 from KY owner (s) showing income of at least $5,200 or

3. 2015 Form 1099 from KY race track (s) if licensed as an owner/trainer showing income of at least $5,200 or

4. A letter from your tax preparer stating your gross revenues

from Kentucky racing in 2015 exceeded $5,200

assisTanT Trainers, eXCerCise riders and sTaBle eMPlOYees MusT HaVeTHe fOllOwing aT TiMe Of sign-uP:

• 2015 Form W2(s) or 1099(s) from a KY trainer (s) who made the required Kentucky starts in 2015 in which your total earnings were not less than $5,200

• You may also sign-up at the offices of the kentucky racing Health and welfare fundfrom Monday, January 18, through Tuesday, november 15, 2016; Monday through friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Office location, The Old school, 422 Heywood, louisville, kentucky 40208• all daTes and TiMes suBJeCT TO CHange.

Call 1-502-636-2646 for updates and answers to your questions about the Plan.

2016 KENTUCKY RACE TRACKRETIREMENT PLAN SIGN-UPS

The Horse’s Mouth January - June 2016

8