How Seniors Can Combat Addiction
Are you or a loved one suffering from addiction? It’s actually quite common for seniors to suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol due to lack of mobility, isolation and loneliness, and depression. Plus, seniors are more likely to have prescriptions for addictive drugs and are more likely to receive prescriptions that they don’t really need and become overmedicated.
The Recovery Process
The recovery process for seniors to combat addiction is not much different than the process for younger adults. There are two steps to every addiction recovery process: physical and psychological. Affected seniors will have to train their bodies to not be dependent on alcohol, drugs, or whatever they’re addicted to, but that starts with psychologically training the mind to not want those items. Most affected individuals will go through a withdrawal period that can bring symptoms like nausea, shakiness, sweating, loss of appetite, and anxiety.
Treatment centers often coach not only the affected senior but also the person’s family members or friends. That way, people can learn how to take care of their loved ones. Group therapy options are also available.
Treatment Coverage
Mental health and addiction treatment is one of the ten required services under the Affordable Care Act. That means that Medicare marketplace plans are required to cover addiction treatment. As long as services come from a provider or facility who participates in Medicare and a doctor states that the services are medically necessary, addiction treatment must be covered.
The Breakdown
Medicare Part A will pay for any hospitalization related to substance abuse and addiction treatment, but out-of-pocket costs (according to your individual plan) will apply. That means that you have to pay any copays or deductibles that you are normally responsible for. However, there is a limit. Medicare will only cover up to 190 days spent in a psychiatric hospital for an entire lifetime.
Medicare Part B will pay for substance abuse and addiction treatment at a doctor’s office or if you are a hospital outpatient. As usual, Medicare will pay 80% and you will be responsible for the other 20%. This coverage includes things like therapy, hospital follow-up visits, and hospital drugs. For other drugs, you will need a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.
Are you or your loved one covered?
If you or someone you know has a problem with substance abuse or addiction, we can help make sure they have the best coverage possible. Our agents are licensed to sell products from multiple carriers, so we can supply the unbiased care they deserve. Call to set up a no-cost appointment at 1-844-431-1832.
Winter and Holiday Health Tips
Winter and Holiday Health Tips
Even though Thanksgiving is over, the season of unhealthy temptations is still upon us. From large, carb-filled family meals to all the shopping you have to do, it’s hard to stay healthy during the winter and holiday season! Plus, it’s the worst time of year for airborne illnesses like The Flu. Medicare Plan Finder can help you. These are our best winter and holiday health tips.
Stay Active
It’s hard to find the motivation to go to the gym when it’s cold outside. Consider working out at home instead! You don’t need fancy equipment to do it, just a little bit of room to move and willpower to get it done. Take the stairs whenever you can, take 10-minute walking breaks at work, or consider these other sneaky workout tips.
Eat Healthy
If you’re planning a big Christmas dinner or if you’re having a hard time staying away from candy canes, there are alternatives! Reach for dark hot chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. Consider drinking mint tea instead of reaching for a candy cane. Always provide healthy side dishes, like creamed spinach or sweet potatoes.
Travel Safely
Whether you’re going to visit family for the holidays or going on a ski trip, December is a big travel season.
Germs spread incredibly easily through airports, and even more easily through planes. You’re stuck breathing the same air as a lot of other people for the duration of your flight. Plus, the airport common areas and the planes themselves aren’t exactly thoroughly cleaned very often. Bring mini hand sanitizers (small to pass through security) with you and wash your hands thoroughly before eating or touching your face. Bring your own pillows and blankets.
If you’re driving, be sure to check road conditions first. Look out for bad weather and heavy traffic! Keep an emergency first aid kit, jumper cables, and a toolkit in your car. Make sure everyone is buckled in and there are no distractions.
Avoid The Flu
Illnesses like The Flu really do spread more easily in cold weather, so bundle up! Keep yourself warm, wash your hands often, and drink plenty of water. Avoid touching your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth – especially if you’ve been in a public area. Eat plenty of foods with antioxidants, like berries, pecans, and dark, leafy greens.
Also, take advantage of your health care! Your plan probably includes preventative care. Be sure to attend your yearly wellness visits, and go to your doctor as soon as you feel sick. Remember that Medicare includes one free well visit every year. Contact us for help with your health care. Call 1-844-431-1832.
Have a happy, healthy, and safe winter and holiday season!
Your Mood Affects Your Health
Your Mood Affects Your Health
Did you know that stress and depression can weaken your immune system? Your mental health affects you physically as well as emotionally. Thankfully, Medicare provides benefits that can serve as “mood boosters” to help keep you both physically and emotionally healthy. Learn how emotions affect the body and how you can stay healthy.
How Your Mood Affects You
Depression is all-too common among seniors, and it often comes from the stress of aging. The feeling of stress is triggered by the release of the hormone cortisol, which slows down motivation and metabolism. This means that stress can cause you to not only lose the motivation to eat healthily and exercise, but also lose the metabolism to break down fatty foods, ultimately leading to unhealthy weight gain. Aside from weight gain, the influx of cortisol can inflame the immune system, weakening it and making it easier for you to catch infections and get sick.
On the same side of the token, a positive mood will allow you to heal more quickly. If you take a positive attitude with your illness or injury, your immune system will stay stronger and you’ll have less cortisol holding you down.
How To Heal
What makes you happy? All the little small things that you enjoy can help you heal emotionally and physically, as the two are connected. Consider starting with your senses – do you have a scent that makes you happy? Light a candle or spray a fragrance. Do you have a sound that makes you happy? Play some music. When it comes to emotion and mental health, the senses are a great way to start.
If your home remedies aren’t helping, consider taking advantage of your Medicare plan.
Medicare Mood Boosters
Medicare’s SilverSneakers® program promotes healthy social and physical behaviors for seniors like you. The program revolves around group exercise programs hosted within gyms and YMCAs. The programs include activities like strength, flexibility, walking, and yoga classes. The group setting gives you an opportunity to socialize with other seniors in your area, and the activities will help strengthen your physical health. If SilverSneakers® is a benefit included in your Medicare plan, you should receive a list of participating facilities. Then, all you’ll need to do is bring your SilverSneakers® card with its 16-digit member number to the facility.
If you feel your mood slipping often or if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it may be a good idea to consider joining a SilverSneakers® class.
If you aren’t sure whether your plan includes SilverSneakers®, or if you’re looking for another Medicare benefit that can help you, one of our agents can answer your questions. Call today at 1-844-431-1832.
How To Talk To Your Doctor
How To Talk To Your Doctor
Talking to doctors is harder for some people than others. Do you ever go to your yearly exam and forget to mention something that’s been bothering you? Do you ever find yourself struggling to answer your doctor’s questions about your health? Use this guide to prepare yourself for your next appointment!
Bring Notes
There is no shame in bringing notes about your health to your doctor’s appointment. In fact, it may create a higher interest level in your doctor. Though doctors should treat all patients equally, they are more likely to spend more time with you if you show that you care about your health. You may not need all of this information, but it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared!
Here’s what you should write down:
- A list of all medications you’ve taken in the past few months, as well as how often you take them.
- An idea of how often and how much you eat on a typical day as well as what your diet typically consists of and how much water you drink each day.
- Your general sleeping habits.
- Reminders to yourself of ANY health concerns you’ve had since your last doctor appointment.
- If you have any symptoms, write down how they make you feel and anything that makes you feel better or worse.
- Contact information for your other doctors.
- Your family medical history (especially if you’re seeing a new doctor).
Additionally, bring your glasses or contacts and hearing aids, if you have them. Don’t forget to bring your Medicare card!
List Your Concerns
Your doctor likely has multiple patients waiting at any given moment, so make sure you list your biggest concerns at the forefront of your appointment, so you can be sure that they are addressed. Don’t assume that feeling tired or achy is normal.
Tell your doctor about ALL health concerns, so that you can get the most out of your appointment.
As your doctor addresses your concerns, take notes then, too! Don’t be afraid to write down what the doctor says. It’s easy to forget, especially if you’re talking about multiple concerns.
Ask Questions
Part of your doctor’s job is making sure that you know how to take care of yourself once you leave the office – so ask all the questions you have! For example, if a doctor tells you to take your medicine with food, does he mean before, after, or during your meal? No question is a stupid one. If you had the answers, you wouldn’t need the doctor. Ask about side effects of your medication, reasons for testing, etc.
The only thing your doctor may not have answers to is whether or not your insurance covers something – but that’s what we’re here for. If your doctor can’t answer those questions for you, give one of our agents a call at 1-844-431-1832.
Make The Most Of Your Medicare
Take Advantage Of Your Medicare
Do you know how to make the most of your Medicare plan? Do you know all of your benefits? Millions of people who enroll in Medicare pay their monthly premiums but don’t take advantage of their available services.
When you have a Medicare plan, you should use doctors in your network and prescription drugs on your formulary to save as much money as possible. You should visit your doctor even when you feel completely healthy or have minor concerns. Get your vaccinations, get tested for diseases that your family has a history of, and take advantage of other benefits like gym memberships.
Read on to discover what coverage you’re missing out on:
Find Doctors In Your Plan Network
Some carriers have doctor and hospital search engines so you can see which doctors are covered under your plan. ZocDoc is a great non-affiliated doctor search website as well. If you continue to use a doctor that is outside of your plan, you’re wasting potential savings that you’ll receive if you visit a doctor who is within your plan’s network.
Prescription Drug Coverage
The same goes for pharmacies and drugs. Your coverage is likely much higher for generic brand prescription drugs, so ask your doctor for a generic version when he gives you a prescription. Your coverage includes mail-order prescriptions as well. Mail-order is often cheaper because there are less labor costs! Plus, you can buy bigger supplies.
Take Advantage of Preventative Benefits
Medicare coverage isn’t just for help in the event of illness or injury – It’s also great for prevention. That means you have coverage for well-visits with your doctor, vaccinations (like flu shots), screenings and tests, and prescription supplements. Why not take advantage of those benefits and get ahead of potential illnesses? As a bonus incentive, staying healthy can keep your life insurance rates low.
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Know Your Additional Benefits
Some Medicare plans include discounts and freebies like gym memberships, massages, nutrition classes, support groups, and even LASIK surgery. Some even provide “rewards” in the form of discounts if you stay healthy.
Understand Your Coverage
If you have questions about your Medicare coverage, don’t be afraid to contact your carrier or agent. If you are enrolling for the first time or hoping to change your plan, set up an appointment with one of our experienced agents by calling 1-844-431-1832.
Home Health Services Covered by Medicare
If you’ve been following our blog, you know that Original Medicare encompasses Part A, hospital care, and Part B, doctor care. Thankfully, hospital and doctor care covered under Original Medicare is not limited to in-office care. Most of your home care needs will also be covered by your Original Medicare.
Do You Need Home Health Care?
Home health care is usually equally as effective as the care you would receive in a hospital or facility. If you have an injury or illness that prevents you from leaving your house, you’ll want to consider home health care.
Home health care is not limited to treatments and doctor visits. It can also mean care education for you and/or your caregiver. You may have a relative or friend taking care of you who needs help to give you the best care possible.
However comfortable it may be to have a friend take care of you, if you need injections or close monitoring, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional to check in on you at your home. A home nurse or doctor will also communicate with your other doctors and health care professionals to keep everyone on the same page and keep all documentation updated. It’s all in the interest of promoting good health for you.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Home health care does not only include treatments and doctor visits, but also education for you and your caregiver. ” quote=”Home health care does not only include treatments and doctor visits, but also education for you and your caregiver. “]
Home Health Services Covered By Medicare
To be eligible, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B, and a doctor must certify that you need the service that you are requesting coverage for and that you are homebound. With your Part A, you will pay $0 for home services and 20% of the Medicare price for any required medical equipment.
Included:
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Occupational therapy
Not Included:
- 24-hour home care
- Delivered meals
- Homemaker or personal services
You will stop receiving coverage for your home care if your treatment is no longer medically necessary or if you are no longer homebound.
Choosing Your Home Care
Your doctor will probably recommend a home health care service to you if he doesn’t provide those services himself. Otherwise, Medicare has a Home Health Agency finder so you can locate the care you need in your area. When choosing an agency for yourself or for a loved one, make sure you’re asking the right questions, such as:
- Are you Medicare (or Medicaid) certified?
- Do you offer ____ service?
- What are your hours and do they align with my needs?
- Will you have emergency staff available on weekends and after hours?
- Do you perform background checks on staff? Do you have credentials?
- Will I have to pay anything out of pocket?
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, you may want to inquire about an agency’s quality of care. Any home care agency who services Medicare clients and has serviced at least 20 patients will have a star rating. Patient Care Star Ratings are based on patient health improvement and the outcome of home treatments and care.
If you have more questions about your home care costs or are considering adding coverage, like a Medicare Supplement plan to help with costs, speak to one of our agents today. Call 1-844-431-1832.
Beginner’s Guide to SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers, in a nutshell, is a fun exercise program designed exclusively for older adults. It is a fitness benefit found in many leading Medicare insurance plans that help provide guidance as well as convenient group exercise classes to improve general fitness, strength, flexibility, and walking ability for older adults. The program’s social events can also help seniors find new friends who also want to pursue an active lifestyle.
SilverSneakers has over 11,000 locations across the United States. These locations include gyms, wellness centers, and YMCAs. Additionally, each location can also give equipment demonstrations. Once enrolled in SilverSneakers, you have access to and are welcome to use any of these participating facilities. Enrollees receive a list of local participating facilities, including addresses and phone numbers.
It is estimated that approximately 20% of seniors are eligible for the SilverSneakers health benefit. More than 65 leading Medicare Advantage, as well as Medigap plans, include SilverSneakers as a benefit. The best part is that this is available to you – if you qualify – at no cost! How do you figure that part out? Well, ask us at MedicarePlanFinder.com or just pick up the phone and call – 844-431-1832.
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The Classes
SilverSneakers classes normally last from 45 to 60 minutes, twice a week. These classes are total body conditioning workouts and often involve hand-held weights, elastic tubing for resistance exercises, and small exercise balls. In some classes, participants may use chairs for additional support and balance.
SilverSneakers also offers outdoor, as well as indoor, exercise opportunities. Some locations have yoga on the beach, exercise in a neighborhood park, or other fun outdoor exercise opportunities.
It’s Important!
It’s never too late to start exercising. Active lifestyles are important for maintaining health as well as quality of life. Moreover, exercise can benefit older adults mentally as well as physically. Moderate exercise can help alleviate stress and potentially reduce feelings of depression. Additionally, regular exercise may be able to improve mental function. Some studies have found regular exercise contributes to improvements when quickly shifting between tasks as well as planning an activity. Furthermore, doctors recommend weight-bearing, flexibility, and resistance exercise for those who suffer from osteoporosis.
Regular participation in the program helps seniors improve strength, balance, and endurance. We’ve seen a very real benefit for our members when they take the time to embrace even light exercise – being fir really helps older adults retain their independence and improve the enjoyment of their retirement years. Reach out to us to learn more – call us at 844-431-1832.
