Category: Health Care

When catching up on women’s health don’t fall behind on cardiovascular disease. Too often, women and their doctors ignore the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Reduce your risk by learning how to identify the warning signs.

When you know a disease is serious, you are more likely to give it the attention it deserves. The American College of Cardiology reports 45% of women between 26-60 have no idea they are in danger of cardiovascular disease. According to the CDC, each year heart disease contributes to one in four deaths.

The same survey reports 25% of women between 50-60 don’t know the risks of cardiovascular disease. Of the 1000 women surveyed, over 200 were unaware cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death for women in the United States.

Know the Signs

Heart disease can affect all ages. Cardiovascular disease includes several types of heart disease – all with serious consequences. Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• Extended chest and upper body pain
• Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, or jaw
• Anxiety, weakness, dizziness, and nausea
• Pain in the arms or shoulder region
• Increased work of breathing

Keep Your Doctor Appointments

Of the women surveyed, 63% admitted to canceling doctor appointments. 45% reported delaying their appointment simply to lose weight before going in. Take your health seriously. If you haven’t spoken to your doctor about cardiovascular disease, make an appointment (and keep it).

Be Proactive

A surprisingly high number of doctors report they do not discuss cardiovascular disease with their patients. It is important you be proactive about your health. Don’t wait for your doctor to bring up cardiovascular disease. Know the signs and symptoms and take charge of your health.

Love great info on health and wellness? So are we! Please contact us with any insurance related questions today.

Most patients between 50 and 80 don’t talk to their doctor about their prescription costs. Most trust their doctor’s recommendation, without comparing costs. What they don’t know may be costing them. Many times, less-expensive medications may be available by discussing them with your doctor.

The University of Michigan School of Medicine, with aid from the AARP, conducted a national survey on healthy and balanced aging. This in-depth study uncovered that many patients struggle to pay for their prescription medications. Approximately 2/3 of survey participants reported prescription of two or more medications. For 27% of those patients, the cost of maintaining so many prescriptions has become too high. These patients run the risk of missing doses due to high out-of-pocket costs, putting their health at risk.

The director of the survey, Preeti Malani, is also a Professor of Medicine at University. Dr. Malani expressed concern that if people did not take their prescription medications, they would likely suffer. This is not because doctors are trying to make things difficult. The study indicates improved doctor-patient communication could result in more affordable-yet-effective prescription solutions.

Among those reporting the costs for medication a problem, almost half hadn’t spoken to their doctor about it. 42% of participants thought their doctor was already familiar with the medication price already. A whopping 61% of respondents had not discussed medication costs with their doctor at all.

Dr. Malani thinks these results show an increased need for patient/doctor communication. Patients need to become comfortable speaking about prescription medication costs. At the same time, Dr. Malani encourages doctors to speak to their patients as well. The proof is in the study: of those patients who did speak to their doctor about prescription medicine costs, 67% found a less-expensive solution.

AARP representative Alison Bryant commented on the complexity of the prescription medication costs. Her concerns were that because insurance policies change, so may costs and coverage. This makes it challenging to predict the patient costs for medication. The supplier cost is only one factor of the medication cost for a patient. Bryant recommends patients discuss cheaper alternatives with their doctor or pharmacist. There may be alternate options available reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Determining the total cost for prescription medications becomes more complex with each prescription. Of adults surveyed, 63% report using 2 or more prescriptions on a regular basis. 47% of those take between 2 and 5 medications, while 16% of adults take 6 or more. The greater the number of medications, the greater chance cost will become a problem. Adding doctors to the mix further complicates things. 69% of patients stated seeing two or more different physicians each year.

Many people think their doctors know the out-of-pocket cost of medications they recommend. Dr. Malani says that this is not usually the case. Even your regular physician likely does not know the cost of your prescriptions. This is because of much more than manufacturing cost – many factors contribute to the costs different patients will pay.

Dr. Malani encourages patients to speak up. If you’re filling a prescription and shocked by the cost, ask about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a less-expensive option. Pharmacists are an excellent yet often-overlooked resource for information and help. They know what costs insurance companies may cover. If the cost of your medication too high, talk to your pharmacist about what options may be available.

You don’t have to rely on a pharmacist. People should not be afraid to comparison shop. Costs can vary depending on many factors, such as:

• Using a lower-cost prescription card
• Registering with a mail-order pharmacy
• Approval for aid programs, either from a pharmaceutical firm, or state government.

The National Survey on Healthy and Balanced Aging is a new study created by the UM Institute for Healthcare. In partnership with Michigan Medicine, the study also receives support and funding from the AARP. This national survey sampled 2,131 adults, dividing them into groups between the ages of 50 to 64, and 65 to 80. The survey has a small margin of error between two and four percent.

New Medicare cards being released in 2018 will no longer carry Social Security numbers. This change was developed to make the cards more secure and prevent fraud as well as identity theft.

Identify theft has been increasing in recent years among those age 65 and older. In accordance with the latest numbers released by the Department of Justice, the reported cases of identity theft increased up to 2.6 million as early as 2014. This is an increase in half a million cases from just two years prior.

Here’s exactly what you will need to understand about the newly released cards:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Solutions (CMS) is going to begin mailing cards to recipients in April.
• The cards will be sent through the mail delivery system to all 58 million existing beneficiaries. You don’t need to take any action in order to receive your card.
• The newly released cards will contain an assigned Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) which consists of a combination of 11 numbers and letters.
• Your benefits are not going to have any changes under the updated MBI.

Frauds connected to the brand new cards are beginning to appear. Some current Medicare recipients have reported receiving telephone calls from scammers who are telling them that they need to pay for their new Medicare card and then asking for their bank account number or Medicare card numbers. Don’t provide either number through a phone call.

Medicare recipients are advised to not provide their number over the phone as this request is likely a fraud. Also, anyone who tells you that you have to pay for your new card is more than likely a scammer. If you have a reason to contact CMS or they contact you for any reason, they are not going to require that you tell them your number since they already have access to that number through their system.

We want to be certain you are financially protected. Naturally, should this prompt questions about other ways we can help you, please reach out to us.

A newly released study shows a marked increase in deaths from Alzheimer’s disease. The number has jumped from 16.5 deaths per 100,000 Americans to 25.4 deaths per 100,000 between the years 1999 and 2014!

Today, 5.2 million Americans have this disease and almost 94,000 died from Alzheimer’s in 214. As the senior population increases every year, that number is expected to grow. That’s why it’s important now more than ever before to do what you can to limit your risk of Alzheimer’s. These are five changes you can make to your lifestyle that may help to avoid mental decline.

Increase Your Exercise

Adding an hour of walking to your routine, three times a week can provide a huge mental boost. New research completed by the University of British Columbia found that walking could boost mental health in populations with dementia. Researchers also discovered that those who had early vascular mental deterioration and began walking regularly saw a decrease in blood pressure and improvement on cognitive tests. They also showed improved skills on cognitive tests when compared to those who didn’t exercise regularly. Cognitive decline, which is likely caused by damaged capillaries in the brain, is thought to the second cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s.

Stay Social

While the exact connection between isolation and Alzheimer’s isn’t exactly known, some studies have shown a link between having a social support network and a reduced risk of dementia. One four-year study of 800 individuals age 75 and older found that isolated people were more than twice as likely to demonstrate signs and symptoms of dementia when compared to those that had regular social activities. The greatest benefits were seen in individuals who were both socially active and also emotionally active.
An even larger study that included 2,249 women ages 78 and older found that individuals who were socially active were 26% less likely to develop dementia when compared to individuals who had minimal social networks. Women who communicated with friends and family on a daily basis cut their risk of mental decline almost in half.

Watch Your Head

The Alzheimer’s Organization strongly recommends protecting your head as there is a link between developing Alzheimer’s and head trauma. When you drive, always wear your safety belt. If playing sports, wear a helmet and take steps to make sure that your house is fall-proof.While you may not be playing football as you age, you may be taking part in physical activities such as biking. If you do, always wear a helmet. You can also use these suggestions to make sure your residence is fall-proof:

-Make sure the floor is free of clutter

-Get rid of or fasten down any area rugs

-Avoid using wax on floors

-Add a slip-free mat to the tub

-Remove any wires or cables from commonly walked areas

Watch Your Diet

To get started in this area, make sure that your diet has adequate vitamin D which is a nutrient that’s important for cognitive function. Good sources include tuna, salmon, milk, and orange juice fortified with vitamin D. Folks with serious vitamin D deficiencies had more than twice the risk to develop Alzheimer’s and dementia than those with normal levels.

Being overweight, having diabetes, and high cholesterol all increase your risk of dementia. It’s important to speak to your doctor regarding your diet as well as how many calories you need. Eating more vegetables as well as reducing your red meat intake have been shown to decrease the risk of cognitive decline. Also, new studies indicate that artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks have been connected to a higher risk of dementia and stroke.

Get Plenty of Sleep

You probably sleep every night, but are you actually getting enough? If you aren’t sleeping at least 7-8 hours every night, you may be creating your own health problems, including mental decline. This claim is stated by the Global Council on Brain Health and Wellness.

One study suggests that a lack of sleep may actually cause Alzheimer’s. This is due to the fact that a lack of rest doesn’t provide adequate time for your glymphatic system to work. The glymphatic system removes proteins known as amyloid beta which can turn into plaques that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and mental deterioration and works while you’re sleeping.

It’s a common misconception that adults need to rest less as they age. There is clear evidence that cognitive and physical health is connected to getting an average of 7-8 hours of sleep every day.

By taking these simple and healthy steps you can substantially increase your chances of living a longer, more enjoyable life.

Q. You did a tale concerning leaving life insurance to an estate. What occurs if it’s left to a family members trust fund?
— Wondering

A. Let’s have a look at how life insurance policy is dealt with.

Your gross estate consists of all home that you have. This would certainly consist of any type of plan guaranteeing your life if you’re the proprietor of the policy.

As long as you have “occurrences of possession,” the policy would be included in your taxable estate, claimed Betty Thomas, a monetary organizer with Lassus Wherley in New Providence.

” Events of ownership” enables you to obtain versus a policy, appoint or cancel, withdraw a project, name or transform a beneficiary, Thomas said.

When a person dies and also has a possession interest in the life insurance policy plan, the worth of the policy will be included in the deceased individual’s estate, Thomas claimed.

This may enhance the value of the estate to the point where either federal or state estate or estate tax could be owed, she stated.

If the ownership of the policy is altered to the trust fund, then all “events of ownership” have been waived, Thomas said.

The difference below is the possession of the life insurance policy plan, she said.

” By changing hands to an unalterable trust fund, you have actually essentially made a gift to the trust fund and also the gift can not be revoked,” she stated. “The policy is after that removed from your taxed estate.”

If the recipient classification of the plan explicitly states that the estate obtains the earnings, then the proceeds will certainly be included in the estate, Thomas claimed.

If this was to take place, not just would the profits be consisted of in the estate, possibly raising the estate value, yet they could also go through the insurance claims of lenders, she stated.

” If no recipient is called, the proceeds will certainly go into the trust fund as well as the trust fund’s beneficiaries will certainly rule, or if the plan recipients are beyond the trust fund, there is no effect on the estate,” she claimed. “Bear in mind if existing policies are moved to an irreversible depend on and you die within three years of the transfer, the policies are drawn back into the estate.”

If the taxed estate is excused from the government estate taxes, it’s still crucial to recognize your state’s inheritance tax legislation.

For New Jersey, the estate tax boosted from $675,000 to $2 million for 2017 and it will be removed in 2018, Thomas claimed.

And also keep in mind New Jersey likewise has an estate tax. A successor in New Jersey could pay as much as 16 percent inheritance tax relying on their category, yet life insurance policy that goes to a named beneficiary would certainly not go through the tax obligation.

The bottom line is you must ensure you speak with an estate attorney to be sure the trust fund document is written to ensure that it will do exactly what you want. Additionally make sure the recipient designations are assessed.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – As we get older our bodies begin to slow down as well as obtain stiffer, so exercise can obtain harder. However, staying energetic is very important to keeping us healthy.

Research reveals that workout improves our cognitive feature along with our physical feature.

For older grownups it is very important to get an excellent mix of exercise in various classifications: adaptability, cardiovascular workout, stamina, and also balance.

Adaptability: The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and also the American Heart Organization (AHM) suggest older adults stretch three or four times a week for a minimum of 10 minutes. They need to try to extend the upper body, shoulders and elbow joints, rear of the upper legs and also knees, calves front of the wrists as well as hands, and also low back and neck.

Cardiovascular Workout: The ACSM and also AHM advise older grownups do 150 mins of moderately paced aerobic task every week. That’s about HALF AN HOUR a day, 5 times a week. Procedure of activity in 10-15 min increments spaced throughout the day are likewise efficient.

Stength: The ACSM as well as AHM suggest older grownups do toughness training two or 3 times a week enabling muscle mass teams to rest between sessions. The muscle groups to target are the core (abdominals/back), upper legs, butts, and back of the arms.

Balance: The ACSM recommends older adults balance train 2 or three times a week. It entails targeting stance control as well as sensory systems.

When you are working to stay healthy and balanced, here are some points to keep in mind:

Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist

Discover a workout program or exercise that is enjoyable, obtainable and also sustainable so it could become regular

Attempt to integrate physical activity right into your everyday routine. March in place while you brush your teeth!

Difficulty on your own to try something new, discover new motion pattern. Great for body and also mind!

Look into offerings at local recreation center as well as gyms. West Michigan has numerous sources available for walking clubs as well as team exercise classes developed for the older grownup.

To compliment your fitness routine, consume healthy as well as stay hydrated.

Yes, it’s true. There are buffets that can cause the most disciplined dieter to succumb to temptation. They entice us to overeat. They tempt us with calorically dense foods and deserts that are rich and tasty.

Of course, few of us eat at buffets every day. Yet most of us have lifestyles that could be improved.

And we know that being obese can cause heart disease and is linked to some cancers, osteoarthritis, and yes, type-2 diabetes.

But it turns out that as we age, having some body fat can offer some advantages as a Senior.

Offset Illness

It’s pretty common for older individuals to lose weight later in life. A little extra body fat can help offset this. Also, individuals fighting cancer often lose weight so some body fat reserves can help during treatment.

Better Absorb Vitamins

Certain vitamins are absorbed by fat tissue. These are called “fat-soluble” vitamins and include A, D, E, and K. People who have minimal body fat often lack those vitamins. Fortified milk, avocados, cold-water fish, and other foods contain helpful fats that can help keep your skin healthy, reduce inflammation, and strengthen bones.

Keep Nice And Warm

Fat helps to keep a core temperature. It works as an insulator. It protects from extreme cold. Adding a few pounds in the Winter is the body’s natural way of keeping warm.

Protects Your Insides

Some fat around your body organs offers protective cushioning. This can be really helpful in situations like falling.

The key to this is moderation. If you are too skinny you could be at risk. And with more than 60% of Americans being obese, you may in fact be too heavy.

So take note. This is not an endorsement of obesity. Rather it is an acknowledgement that some fat on an otherwise healthy Senior body can have positive health benefits. So, If you have a few extra pounds, there’s no reason to feel shame. Simply recognize that a little bit of extra weight is a natural part of the aging process and a way for the body to help protect you.

Just be sure you watch out for rapid weight gain or loss as these can be signs of other underlying conditions. And always consult with a medical professional if you have any concerns about your weight.

Dwayne Johnson aka “The Rock” spends about 2 hours a day, six days a week just at the gym. That doesn’t include other physical activities! But it’s not easy for most folks to get to the gym on a daily basis, let alone spending 60 to 90 minutes once you get there.

While it may be a great goal to invest time in tougher workouts, folks who have been largely inactive will likely need to take smaller steps to help build habits that will last. This is especially true as you age.

Still you can find some clever ways to get active. Here are some fun ideas:

Stretch while watching TV.

The key is to work on perfecting your form and holding your poses for about 10 seconds.

Perform sit-ups while watching TV.

A simple sit-up can help you strengthen your core as well as tone and trim.

Do counter-top pushups while waiting for something in the microwave.

It could be you are re-heating some pasta or popping a bag of popcorn. No matter! Use the time to perform simple countertop push-ups to help tone your arms, shoulders, and chest.

Do mini-squats instead…

If you are tired of pushups, switch to mini-squats while you are waiting for the microwave to finish. Or perhaps while your coffee is brewing.

The goal is to be as creative as possible both with your time as well as your space.

Having great form and being careful is what’s important. And be sure you’ve talked with your doctor about ANY exercise program before starting one.

So while you may never look like Hercules, taking simple steps can help you feel stronger, leaner, and ready to take on whatever that day might bring to you.

For videos on how to perform these and other exercises, visit AARP.

Medicare can be difficult to navigate for folks who are new to the system. More than 10,000 individuals find their way into the program each day. If you are going to be one of them soon or just recently turned 65, invest a few minutes here to make sure you’re properly protected
First, get acquainted with the Medicare Rights Center. This is a consumer advocacy group that represents folks on Medicare. They offer a lot of valuable resources regarding protecting your Medicare Rights.

 

So what are the 10 biggest mistakes you can make with Medicare? Here goes…

 

1. Assuming you don’t qualify.

 

Medicare Part A requires 40 “credits” to get Part A services without having to pay premiums. A “credit” is simply a quarter of a year, so 40 credits is about 10 years worth of work in total. You can qualify for Part B without work credits. And Part D simply requires that you be 65 years or older and a citizen or legal resident who’s lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years.

2. Failing to register for Part B coverage when you should.

 

If you fail to register at the correct time you risk penalties in the form of surcharges that will be added to your Part B premiums. There is an exception. Do you have health insurance beyond 65 from an employer where you (or your spouse) are actively working? Does the company have 20 or more employees? If so, you can put off Part B registration without facing a penalty until you or your spouse are no longer working for that firm. Otherwise, if you plan to have Part B protection, you must enroll in Part B coverage when you turn 65. (You can register up to 3 months before turning 65 and 3 months after.)

3. If you have COBRA benefits, you still must register for Medicare Part B.

While Part B coverage is optional, you should talk with your insurance professional / financial advisor about your options. COBRA allows you to continue on your employer’s health plan after you retire for about 18 months. But if you need Medicare Part B, COBRA doesn’t give you a reason to put off getting Medicare Part B coverage. So if you are on COBRA and just turned 65, you need to be sure to get on Part B coverage if you plan to enroll in it.

4. Thinking you need to reach complete retirement age before registering for Medicare

 

The retirement age is creeping up. (It’s 67 for folks born after 1959.) But to avoid late penalties, you still need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. (Again, if you or your spouse are still actively employed with health protection, you can wait.) They key here is that you don’t need to wait to start receiving Social Security benefits to enroll in Medicare and waiting to do so could cost you.

5. Avoiding Part D if you currently aren’t taking medications.

 

Part D offers protection against the high cost of drugs such as cancer treatment. But like all insurance, you can’t wait until you need the insurance to sign up for it. You need to have Part D coverage even if you are 100% healthy currently. Otherwise, you could face substantial late charges that will be incorporated into your Part D premiums. But if you are retired, your income is typically more limited. So, a little bit of forethought could help make life much easier for you by keeping your premiums low.

6. Misunderstanding registration periods

 

You might have read about “open registration” and gotten the idea that this is the only time you can register for Medicare. Not so! In Medicare, open enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year) is simply for individuals who are already in the program. That’s the time they can alter their protection for the following year. If you are new to Medicare, your enrollment period is around the time you turn 65. (3 months before & 3 months after.) You also have up to 8 months after your health insurance ends with your employer if you’ve already turned 65. Either way, waiting for “open enrollment” could be a costly mistake.

7. Selecting Part D drug coverage because of premium costs, brand name, rather than the protection it offers.

 

Part D protection varies quite a bit. Not all plans have standard amounts for what drugs they include and what they charge for co-pays. The best thing to do is to compare costs base on the actual drugs you currently take. You can call Medicare at (800) 633-4227 for further details or talk with your insurance professional.

8. Being late to purchase Medigap.

Medigap supplemental insurance offers extra protection that you can opt to buy. It covers some or the majority of your out-of-pocket expenditures in standard Medicare. This can include deductibles and copays. To get the complete federal protections, you need to purchase it when you turn 65. The rules that govern getting Medigap insurance can be complex. So we highly recommend you seek advice if you are thinking about putting off getting protected when you turn 65.

9. Failing to read your Annual Notice of Change.

 

Each year you are sent a document in September if you are enrolled in Medicare or have Part D coverage. This document details the changes the plan will be making in the protections it offers and in what that protection will cost. If the changes aren’t to your liking, it’s time to consider what changes you may need to make in your plans during open enrollment.

10. Not recognizing that you may qualify for assistance to reduce your costs.

There are a lot of costs to Medicare. You pay premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. Many retired folks find it difficult to keep up with the payments. If you are in that situation, there are two programs that can help you if you qualify.
The first is called a Medicare Savings Program. With this program your state pays the Part B premiums and may cover additional costs.
The second is called the Federal Extra Help program and can help you obtain affordable Part D drug coverage.
To see if you can be approved for either program you need to call the state’s health insurance program and find out what options are available. You can go to https://shiptacenter.org, select your state, and find the right phone number to call.
Final Thoughts on Medicare

Medicare is complex. And like all insurance, it’s best to talk with folks who understand the options available in the market as well as your personal situation. This way you can know that you have the protection you need at a price that will be affordable to you.

When you are switching from your employer’s medical insurance to Medicare, being prepared is key.

#1: Medicare is about you and ONLY you.

While many employee medical plans offer coverage for the worker and the spouse, Medicare is per individual… each person is required to have their own Medicare plan. With differing health conditions each person will likely end up with quite different Medicare policies and potentially supplemental insurance.

Have a spouse that doesn’t qualify for Medicare? You’ll have to find separate coverage for them as well.

# 2: Cap? What cap?

Most employer plans (and plans purchased in the insurance marketplace through the Affordable Care Act) have limits on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses you’ll be expected to pay each year. Standard Medicare pays 80% of covered costs and there’s no cap so you could face quite a big bill at a time when your cashflow could be limited. To help, there are Medicare Advantage andMedigap policies with out-of-pocket caps. Exploring your options around these areas is crucial to ensure you’re adequately protected.

#3: Strategically leverage your benefits

Take the time to understand the pros & cons of each type of coverage… what you may currently have and what you’ll be getting under Medicare. If there are medical procedures you are entitled to under your employer’s plan where it is of greater financial benefit for you to take advantage of your current benefits before switching over to Medicare, it’s wise to schedule and take care of those treatments before you switch to Medicare.

Interestingly, sometimes the opposite is true and you might find better benefits under Medicare depending on the treatment. That’s why it is so important to clearly understand your options well before you find yourself transitioning from employer-offered insurance to Medicare.

#4: Medicare is about wellness

Medicare places an emphasis on helping individuals cope with chronic health conditions. It also tends to offer more personal care options while many company sponsored health plans have attempted to cut costs by compelling initial care by phone.

Be sure to check with your HR department on your existing benefits vs. what you should expect to see with Medicare. You may find that Medicare offers a better overall care experience as you age.

#5: Say yes to Part D.

While employee health benefits often include prescription drugs as a part of the plan, with Medicare you’ll need Part D coverage. There are many plans available and for this you’ll rely on private insurance. Shop around to find a plan that offers the price and benefits you need. One tip: Be sure to include the total cost of Part D coverage + your expected costs of medication to get an accurate view of which Part D plan is truly best for your situation.

Your financial advisor should be able to give you some helpful insights as you face these difficult issues. And for a great extra resource, check out “How to Navigate Medicare Plans” (http://time.com/money/page/how-to-navigate-medicare-plans/) featured on Time’s website.