Understanding Medicare Benefits, Coverage and Costs, Post II

Post II: Medicare Parts C and D

 

Click here  to refresh your memory on the video we introduced to you in Post I of this series.

Now that you have a better understanding of Medicare Parts A and B, were ready to help you understand Parts C and D in this post.

 

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)

 

Medicare Part C serves as an alternative to Original Medicare. Commonly known as Medicare Advantage Plans, Part C allows consumers the option of purchasing Part A & B benefits through a private insurer. Medicare Advantage Plans are typically a lower-cost alternative to Original Medicare. The plans are required to cover all medically necessary costs and usually offer extra benefits to users as well, in addition to prescription drug coverage (Part D). When one purchases a plan under Part C, they still have to pay the premiums for Part B (and Part A if applicable); however, overall costs tend to be reduced as a result of the expanded coverage provided by the Part C plan.

 

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

 

Medicare Part D is generally utilized by those on Medicare, as well as anyone in a Medicare Advantage plan that lacks prescription drug coverage. The 2010 Part D deductible is $310. After meeting this deductible, Part D pays 75% of ones covered prescription drug costs. Once you reach $2,830 in total drug costs, Medicare Part D stops paying and doesnt start paying again until your total out-of-pocket costs reach $4,550 (this includes your annual deductible and copays). This gap in coverage is what is known as the proverbial donut hole of the Medicare system that so many recipients fall into.

 

Additional Advice to Medicare Recipients

 

In addition to a basic knowledge of Medicares parts, their benefits, and the associated costs, I always advise clients to stay informed on current events as they relate to Medicare. Additionally, each new year brings annual changes in Medicare rates (mostly increases!). Every legislative session attempts to alter the Medicare program in some way, shape, or form. Once informed, I encourage Medicare recipients to speak out when they feel their elected officials are not acting in their best interest.

 

If youd like to talk more about Medicare expenses and what to expect, contact Erin Nichols of Denver, Colorado, Always Best Care Certified Senior Advisor or feel free to post your questions and comments on this topic here.

Understanding Medicare Benefits, Coverage and Costs

Post I: Medicare Parts A and B 

 

Budgeting for Medicare and choosing the right combination of benefits for one's current and future care needs is extremely important. Unfortunately, too many retirees come to understand the true costs of Medicare after-the-fact. Without proper planning, a senior could easily exhaust a large amount of their retirement fund on unanticipated care expenses. One way to minimize the probability of this occurring is to become familiar with each section of the program and the associated costs.

 

Watch this video for a great crash course on Medicare Parts A, B, C and D.

 

After watching the video, read on for Post I of our series on Understanding Medicare Benefits, Coverage and Costs. Post I of our 2-post series on this topic will give you a quick breakdown of the major costs for Medicare Parts A and B.

 

Medicare Part A (Hospital, Skilled Nursing, Home Health, and Hospice)

 

Part A benefits assist with inpatient hospital care, post-hospitalization skilled nursing care in a facility, home health care, and hospice care. Most people, with ample working history, receive Part A coverage with no monthly premiums. Sounds great, right? It's a good start, but the program does not cover every associated expense. To begin with, only a specific number of days are covered for Part A service and access to service comes with various deductibles, co-insurances, and co-pays. For example, for days 1 through 60 of a

period of hospitalization, a Medicare recipient pays a $1,100 deductible; for days 61 to 90, $275 daily copay is required. For skilled nursing, only the first 20 days of skilled nursing care are covered 100% by Medicare; after that the next 21 - 100 days are covered with a $137.50 daily co-pay. After 100 days, Medicare no longer covers nursing services. If one does the math, a prolonged illness requiring a hospital say, could add up to over $6,000 out-of-pocket for a period of hospitalization (making it all the more important to budget for Medicare expenses).

 

Medicare Part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance)

 

Most people have to pay a premium for Part B, which is also referred to as supplemental medical insurance. The 2010 Medicare Part B premium ranged from $96.40 - $354.00, depending on a beneficiary's yearly income. From 2009 to 2010, Part B premiums increased by 15%. Most Medicare recipients are quite surprised when they learn exactly what Part B does not cover. For example, items such as routine physicals, eye and hearing examinations, certain immunizations, private nursing care, dentures, and the first three pints of blood in a transfusion are not included in Original Medicare coverage. Without being a conscious consumer, the costs can very quickly add up.

 

 

Stay tuned for our next post covering Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). Find out how you can stay abreast of annual changes in Medicare premiums and how the changes will affect you personally.

 

If you still have questions pertaining to Medicare Parts A and B coverage, contact Erin Nichols of Denver, Colorado, Always Best Care Certified Senior Advisor , or post your questions and comments here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cognitive Therapies and Smell Tests Battle Alzheimers

As the population of our country rapidly ages, the looming impact of Alzheimer's disease on our society becomes more and more evident. Research indicates that there are five times as many people living in the United States with Alzheimer's as there are with HIV/AIDS, yet despite these numbers the amount of federal dollars spent on the search for a cure for Alzheimers pales in comparison to HIV/AIDS

($615 million versus $2.7 billion).

 

Third-party organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association have been extremely successful in their attempts to raise money for Alzheimer's research, yet a lack of federal funding remains one of the largest obstacles in the search for a cure. Investing in research - now - will cost our nation far less than the cost of care for the rising numbers of Americans who will be affected by Alzheimer's in the coming decades, says Bill Thies, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer for the Alzheimer's Association. Despite the lack of funding, momentum in Alzheimer's research continues to increase. Here are two very interesting highlights:

 

Early Diagnostic Tools: Smell Tests

Researchers have been aware for quite awhile that people with Alzheimer's often have a reduced ability to perceive smells, as well as to identify specific odors. New studies even suggest that loss of smell may be one of the earliest indicators of the development of Alzheimer's disease. Using this information, scientists are hoping to soon provide an inexpensive diagnostic alternative, in the form of an

olfactory test, to replace costly brain scans. While the link between loss of smell and Alzheimer's is not a new one, it has recently rose again to the forefront of Alzheimer's research due to affirmative results of research on mice published by New York University's Langone Medical Center.

 

Onset Prevention: Cognitive Fitness and Innovative Therapies

Cognitive Fitness and Innovative Therapy (CFIT) is a first of its kind therapy program designed to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. CFITs curriculum utilizes cognitive approaches such as puzzles, games and quizzes, in conjunction with physical practices like control of blood pressure and cholesterol. An exercise regimen and a meal plan based on the Mediterranean diet are also important parts of the program. A total of four CFIT clinics are on tap to be built in New York and California. Participation in the program costs $4,000/month. The programs founder, Dr. Kenneth Kosik of the Neuroscience Research Institute at the University of California Santa Barbara, recommends that individuals start efforts to prevent Alzheimers in their early 50s.

 

The Wall Street Journal published a sample of four CFIT brain teasers along with a feature article about the CFIT program back in March of this year. Admittedly, I found a few of the challenge questions a little difficult (should I be concerned?). Click here to give the puzzles a try yourself.

 

Eradicate Alzheimer's
Chances are if you are reading this blog you know someone who has been affected by dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease, being the most commons, accounts for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of all cases of dementia.[1]   Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. 

 

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s is staggering. For example,

• In 2010, nearly 5.5 million people in the United States alone will be living with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
• By 2050, 16 million people are expected to be living with Alzheimer’s.
• Alzheimer’s-related dementia is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States. 

 

For those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, one of the best things they can do is to seek out support for themselves, their family members and friends. The Alzheimer’s Association  is a great place to start a quest for information and support. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading organization in the U.S. committed to Alzheimer care, support and research. For families and those with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association is a priceless resource.

 

As the disease progresses, a family will want to reach out to a company such as Always Best Care for support within the home or assistance in finding the right memory care or assisted living community for their loved one.   

 

Always Best Care caregivers are some of the highest trained in the industry in working with families and sufferers of Alzheimer’s and/or other forms of dementia.    In addition to specialized internal Alzheimer’s and dementia training, Always Best Care caregivers attended the day-long 2010 Alzheimer’s Symposium held on March>>> by the Alzheimer’s Association.     

 

It doesn’t stop with our caregivers - the Always Best Care commitment to the education and advancement of research to eradicate Alzheimer’s disease runs even deeper. Always Best Care staff volunteer on a weekly basis on the Alzheimer’s Association HelpLine (1-800-272-3900), which equates to nearly 250 hours of volunteerism a year!   This commitment continues with our annual participation in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk.   

 

 The 2010 Denver Memory Walk will take place in City Park on Saturday, September 4^th. If you would like to join our team in the 2010 Denver Memory Walk, would love to have you! The Walk will take place Saturday, September 18th in City Park. To sign up, simply click here and fill out the form or contact Always Best Care directly at (303) 952-3060 / enichols@abc-seniors.com.

 

If you can’t directly participate, we can still use your help and remember - every little bit counts! If you would like to make a donation to the Always Best Care 2010 Memory Walk team, click here.

 

 

[1] Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Facts & Figures 2010.

Honoring Elderly Americans
May marked National Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older. President John F. Kennedy established this month in 1963, when there were 17.5 million Americans over the age of 65. This age group continues to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2008 there were over 38.9 million Americans age 65 and up.

Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way or another to older persons in their communities. Here are some simple suggestions on how you can easily pay tribute to an older American in your life:

 

Listen! Seniors have wonderful stories to share about the past that can teach us lessons about history and life. Sometimes it takes a little prompting but asking questions like "Who was your favorite President?” or "Where did you meet his/her significant other?” can always spark warm memories and great stories.

 

Be Patient. As we age, our ability to hear, see, and compute information changes. Sometimes we get frustrated with older adults when they cannot hear what we are saying or have to ask us to repeat things several times. Be patient and remember that their ability to understand what you are saying isn’t diminished but their abilities to process information have simply slowed. Keep in mind you will go through the same experience eventually!

 

Make Time. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes we overlook the special older people in our lives. Though people’s and abilities may slow, one’s desire to feel loved and engaged with their family rarely goes away. Make time in your schedule to visit or call the older American in your life on a regular basis – it will mean more to them than you know.

 

Volunteer. There are countless volunteer opportunities out there to pay tribute to older Americans through volunteerism. Delivering food through Meals on Wheels, putting on a program at a local senior center, or enlisting in a friendly visitor program through your church are all great ways to give back. Always Best Care staff volunteer on a weekly basis with local organizations such as Total Longterm Care (TLC), the National Stroke Association and the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

This year ABC employees will contribute nearly 850 hours of service to local organizations that assist older people!

Dealing with Alzheimer's at Home

This is a sample blog post. Content copied from Web site.

 

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease at home is a challenging task that can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new demands and opportunities as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior.

 

• Adjust your communication style
• Schedule visitors to avoid surprises
• Establish routines in activities
• Maintain social contacts and fun
• Set up a safe home environment

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