Tag Archives: Tips

Travel smart with Medicare

Before going on any trip, creating a checklist is always recommended. While you are updating your passport, checking the weather to prepare to pack, you should also make sure to check on your health coverage while traveling. Medicare can be great for travelers if the proper decisions are made.

Original Medicare covers you in the United States of America, including the District of Columbia, Guam, U.S. Virgins Islands, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and America Samoa. If you are going outside of these lands and/or overseas, for a majority of the time Medicare will not pay for the health services or supplies. There are some rare occasions where Medicare will cover your service or supplies.  An example of the rare occasions where Medicare will cover your service or supplies is as the following: If your emergency happens in the United States of America but nearest hospital to treat you is in Canada or Mexico.

According to Medicare.gov “In some cases, Medicare may cover medically necessary health care services you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S. Medicare won’t pay for health care services you get when a ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port. “  As you can see, understanding the boundaries, the loop holes and the safety net created by Medicare is best left to an expert to fully understand.

Many experts advise their clients to invest in travel insurance as a “just to get home” safety net. when you have travel insurance you will have coverage for things that aren’t an emergency. It’s reasonably priced, and a great asset to have to in your back pocket if you are a frequent traveler, particularly an international traveler. If you have an emergency under $50,000, Medigap is a great option for you. With Medigap you can go anywhere in the U.S. that accepts Medicare . Also most Medigap plans include foreign travel emergency coverage up to  $50,000- but this coverage is meant to be reimbursed. For example, if you were hurt abroad, depending on the procedure needed you would either Medivac to the United States or receive treatment abroad. Either way, it would be your responsibility to pay for that procedure out of pocket, and then the insurance company will reimburse the claim. The Medigap covers 80% up to 50k, so you could still end up with a big bill.

So before setting sail, or boarding the plane, make sure you speak to your Medicare advisor and ask many questions. No one plans to have a medical emergency while on vacay, but it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive.

10 Healthy eating tips for seniors.

As we all know, when we increase in age our metabolism decreases. As a result, our food intake has a higher level of importance compared to when we were in our 20’s or 30’s.  Here are some quick and easy tips to eating healthier and living a longer life.

 

  1. Eat a variety of foods

Some of us stick to our favorite foods, and aren’t open to trying anything new. To ensure that we are getting all of the necessary vitamins needed, we must have a well-balanced diet. According to the National Council on Aging, our meals need to consist of fruits, whole grains, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. Not only will this meal make your body feel amazing, but it will look more amazing, too.

  1. Minimize the salt

As we age, our sense of taste becomes weaker and we try to compensate for that by using extra salt. According to many studies, salt has a direct connection to high blood pressure. We know that stress, lack of physical activity, some medications, and a whole list of other factors can lead to hypertension. To combat this, exchange some of the salt for fresh herbs and spices.  Herbs and spices like basil, cardamom, garlic and ginger are known to lower blood pressure. These ingredients also add a punch of bright flavor where you might normally add salt.

  1. Drink more water

We all need water to survive. Our muscles are about 70% water, our brains are about 85% water, and our blood is about 80% water. Not only do these percentages show we obviously need water, but our body gives physical signs when it is lacking water.  Drinking fresh juice and some sugary drinks are okay once in a while, but water needs to the main source of hydration in our diets. You may be surprised how much better you feel just by upping your daily water intake!

  1. Read the labels

Sometimes we can fall into the habit of buying the same things.  We should question ourselves and ask “How often do I read the nutrition label?” Those labels are not there to take up space, they actually hold real value. Some of the numbers on the labels may shock you. The next time you’re shopping, take a peak at the nutrition labels and see what you find.

  1. Consider supplements

Some of us are taking a lot of pills, medications, and other things already, and the thought of adding another thing to the list is overwhelming.  Fruits and vegetables are great sources for vitamins, but in some cases they’re just not enough. For example, people over the age of 50  do not get enough vitamin B12 according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Talk to your doctor and see what they supplements they recommend for you.

  1. Reduce sugar

Reducing the sugar in our diets is something many dietitians and nutritionists agree on throughout the world of nutrition.  We should aim to exchange some of our sugary snacks and treats with fresh fruits. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, strawberries are great for eyes and contain plenty of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help lower your risk of cataracts.

  1. Eat more Kale, if you can

Kale is an amazing source of lutein and zeaxanthin, both are needed for healthy eyes and retina protection. Kale can help protect our eyes from sun damage, lower the risk of cataracts, and it can help protect our eye from macular degeneration. Even though this amazing leafy-green can help many, some of us who are taking blood thinners like Coumadin, and others who have a cruciferous vegetable allergy should speak to their doctors before eating kale.

  1. Try Green Tea

According to many studies, green tea has been considered to help reduce our risk of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. The studies referenced here focus on breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.  Not only does green tea help with lowering our risk of cancer, it can also help lower our risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Both diseases are classified as neurodegenerative, and studies show that the compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons.

  1. Not all fats are bad

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good brain health.  Studies shows that is can help with improving healthy memory function. Seafood and fatty fish is an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids.  Not everyone likes fish, for those of us who doesn’t , plant sources like nuts and seed also contain omega-3 fatty acid.

  1. Enjoy your food

Eating is not only necessary for living, it can add the spice life that we all need. So have fun, make revisions to old recipes, and share your knowledge of food to the younger generations.

Leave a comment and tell us which tip are you most excited about trying.

7 Medicare Tips for New Enrollees

1 Medicare doesn’t have a family plan

Medicare plans are only individual coverage, not family. This means that spouses each need to have their own Medicare coverage. Additionally, no dependents receive coverage. In the event that your spouse is younger than you, when you enroll in Medicare they can seek employer coverage or individual coverage through the marketplace (healthcare.gov — the Affordable Care Act website). Note, that if you and your spouse are entering Medicare around the same time, you may be recommended different plans from different companies if they are a better individual fit for you. Some companies to offer household discounts for enrolling with the same company, but other than that it is unique to the individual.

2 There is no cap on out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare

Most employer plans have annual limits on your out-of-pocket health expenses. Medicare pays 80% of approved medical expenses, then the beneficiary is responsible for the remaining 20%, without a cap. For example, if you have an $100K surgery, you will have to pay $20K, which is why people buy Medicare Supplement plans or Medigap plans to fill this gap.

3 Make a plan for any pending procedures

If your employer plan offers you better benefits than Medicare or costs less, then you may want to have the elective surgery sooner than later. Or wait until you are enrolled in the Medicare system. Surprisingly, the first year for a Medicare beneficiary usually has the highest number of claims because people wait for elective surgery until they are covered on the system.

4 Observation VS  Inpatient 

Medicare pays different rates according to status. Even if the patient is admitted in a hospital for one week, if they are under “observation” they are considered as out-patients.  Medicare requires a three-day hospital inpatient stay minimum before the covering of cost. When a patient is admitted under “observation” , the time frame is not counted toward the Medicare’s requirement regardless of the length.

5 Research can mean more money in your pockets

In the employer health insurance world, you are stuck with the benefits designed for the group. With Medicare, it should be custom to you and your individual needs. Finding an educational resource to learn more about Medicare and how it works, will only help you make smarter decisions when it comes to health insurance. It can also mean saving money in the process.

6 When you enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan, you are disenrolling from Original Medicare

Medicare Advantage plans were introduced in the early 2000’s as an alternative to Original Medicare parts A and B. The way they are marketed is that they offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, but it’s a little more complex than that. While Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans are programs regulated by the government, Medicare Advantage plans are controlled by the insurance companies. It literally takes an act of Congress to change Original Medicare, whereas Medicare Advantage plans are  in the company’s hands. You essentially give up your Medicare to work with a network provider. Learn more about the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Supplement here.

7 You can change your Medicare Supplement coverage whenever you want

You don’t have to wait for AEP to change your Medicare Supplement coverage. You can change your Medigap plan anytime during the year, as long as you can pass medical underwriting. The programs that must wait for changes until AEP are Part D Prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans.

 

Leave a comment, let us know which tip is the most useful.