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How do the Medicare Deductibles work? One of the most common misconceptions that Medicare Beneficiaries have relates to their deductible. Most people that are going into Medicare for the first time are accustomed to having group coverage, and they may incorrectly be under the impression that once they take Medicare they don’t have to pay anything. Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments All of us wish this was the way things work, unfortunately it is not. When starting Medicare it is important to know what costs you are responsible for are and how you pay those expenses. Medicare Part A (Hospital) With Medicare Part A, in 2018, you must meet a deductible of $1,340 for each occurrence into the hospital, once that is met the benefit period last 90 days. In other words if you go back to the hospital within 90 days for the same thing you will not have to pay the $1,340 again, but if you go in for another reason you could have to pay it again. If you are in the hospital for more than 90 days additional costs will occur. It is also worth a mention that when in the hospital certain services could be covered under Medicare Part B instead of A. This means you could have additional costs beyond the $1,340 for the stay. Medicare Part B (Doctors) Medicare Part B has a annual deductible of $183in 2018. Once you have satisfied that deductible you will then be responsible for 20 percent of all costs, and potentially excess charges in most states. What is an excess charge? When you go to a doctor that accepts Medicare, there are two designations that come up. A doctor that accepts Medicare assignment, and A doctor that accepts Medicare but does not accept Medicare assignment. When a doctor accepts Medicare assignment it means they agree to accept what Medicare pays as full payment; if a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment it means they are allowed to charge up to 15% more than the Medicare approved amounts. That 15% is called an excess charge. How do I know if my doctor imposes excess charges? One of the easiest ways to find this out is simply ask, “Do you accept Medicare assignment?”, or “Do you charge excess charges?” Your doctor’s office will disclose to you if they do or do not accept Medicare assignment. You can also go to Medicare.gov and use the Physician lookup to look up your doctor and find out if they take Medicare assignment. Should I pay my deductible when I go to the doctor? This is a reoccurring question for Medicare Beneficiaries. It is a very important question to get the correct answer to, and here is how it works. When you go to the doctor you should show your Medicare card, if you have additional insurance like a Medicare Supplement you should show it as well. Upon conclusion of the doctor visit, the office staff will send the bill to Medicare. Once Medicare receives the bill they will determine if your deductible(s) has been met. If not, you will be sent a bill up to the amount of the deductible. If the bill is greater than the deductible, you may receive additional bills. Those bills will be for your 20% or excess charges. If you have secondary coverage such as a Medicare Supplement, some or all of those costs could be paid for by your supplement plan leaving you with little or nothing to pay out of pocket. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, the process will work a little differently and you have other concerns. A Medicare Advantage Plan essentially replaces your Original Medicare with a network based plan. When covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan it is common that you would have to pay at the doctors office prior to being seen. Some have out of network benefits. If your Medicare Advantage Plan has out of network benefits, it will also have a separate own set of co-pays, deductibles, and out of pocket costs. Most of the time your out of network responsibility will be double your in network amounts. What if I paid my doctor up front already? If you paid your doctor already for your deductible, it is possible Medicare will send you a bill for the deductible amount. It happens when Medicare receives an invoice from your doctor, Medicare automatically sends you a notice requesting payment for your deductible. If this happens you will need to pay that deductible to Medicare, and go back to your doctor and try to straighten it out with their billing department. Most medical provider billing departments know that with Medicare Beneficiaries they should not collect the deductible or any funds up front. This can be a hassle. If you have a doctors office that tried to make you pay your Medicare deductible up front, you may want to consider if that doctor has your best interest in mind. What about the hospital deductible? When it comes to the hospital deductible, it should work the same way. Upon being discharged, the hospital should bill Medicare. After Medicare applies their billing process you will receive bills for your portion, whether it be just the deductible or additional amounts. Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments
MedicareMedicare Plans

Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments

by Jagger Esch
written by Jagger Esch

How do the Medicare Deductibles work?

One of the most common misconceptions that Medicare Beneficiaries have relates to their deductible. Most people that are going into Medicare for the first time are accustomed to having group coverage, and they may incorrectly be under the impression that once they take Medicare they don’t have to pay anything. Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments
All of us wish this was the way things work, unfortunately it is not. When starting Medicare it is important to know what costs you are responsible for are and how you pay those expenses.

Medicare Part A (Hospital)

With Medicare Part A, in 2018, you must meet a deductible of $1,340 for each occurrence into the hospital, once that is met the benefit period last 90 days.
In other words if you go back to the hospital within 90 days for the same thing you will not have to pay the $1,340 again, but if you go in for another reason you could have to pay it again.
If you are in the hospital for more than 90 days additional costs will occur.
It is also worth a mention that when in the hospital certain services could be covered under Medicare Part B instead of A. This means you could have additional costs beyond the $1,340 for the stay.

Medicare Part B (Doctors)

Medicare Part B has a annual deductible of $183in 2018. Once you have satisfied that deductible you will then be responsible for 20 percent of all costs, and potentially excess charges in most states.

What is an excess charge?

When you go to a doctor that accepts Medicare, there are two designations that come up. A doctor that accepts Medicare assignment, and A doctor that accepts Medicare but does not accept Medicare assignment.
When a doctor accepts Medicare assignment it means they agree to accept what Medicare pays as full payment; if a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment it means they are allowed to charge up to 15% more than the Medicare approved amounts. That 15% is called an excess charge.

How do I know if my doctor imposes excess charges?

One of the easiest ways to find this out is simply ask, “Do you accept Medicare assignment?”, or “Do you charge excess charges?” Your doctor’s office will disclose to you if they do or do not accept Medicare assignment. You can also go to Medicare.gov and use the Physician lookup to look up your doctor and find out if they take Medicare assignment.

Should I pay my deductible when I go to the doctor?

This is a reoccurring question for Medicare Beneficiaries. It is a very important question to get the correct answer to, and here is how it works. When you go to the doctor you should show your Medicare card, if you have additional insurance like a Medicare Supplement you should show it as well.
Upon conclusion of the doctor visit, the office staff will send the bill to Medicare. Once Medicare receives the bill they will determine if your deductible(s) has been met. If not, you will be sent a bill up to the amount of the deductible. If the bill is greater than the deductible, you may receive additional bills. Those bills will be for your 20% or excess charges.
If you have secondary coverage such as a Medicare Supplement, some or all of those costs could be paid for by your supplement plan leaving you with little or nothing to pay out of pocket.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, the process will work a little differently and you have other concerns. A Medicare Advantage Plan essentially replaces your Original Medicare with a network based plan. When covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan it is common that you would have to pay at the doctors office prior to being seen.
Some have out of network benefits. If your Medicare Advantage Plan has out of network benefits, it will also have a separate own set of co-pays, deductibles, and out of pocket costs. Most of the time your out of network responsibility will be double your in network amounts.

What if I paid my doctor up front already?

If you paid your doctor already for your deductible, it is possible Medicare will send you a bill for the deductible amount. It happens when Medicare receives an invoice from your doctor, Medicare automatically sends you a notice requesting payment for your deductible.
If this happens you will need to pay that deductible to Medicare, and go back to your doctor and try to straighten it out with their billing department. Most medical provider billing departments know that with Medicare Beneficiaries they should not collect the deductible or any funds up front.
This can be a hassle. If you have a doctors office that tried to make you pay your Medicare deductible up front, you may want to consider if that doctor has your best interest in mind.

What about the hospital deductible?

When it comes to the hospital deductible, it should work the same way. Upon being discharged, the hospital should bill Medicare. After Medicare applies their billing process you will receive bills for your portion, whether it be just the deductible or additional amounts.

Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments

Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments Do Not Pay Your Part B Deductible at Doctor Appointments

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What you Need to Know about Open Enrollment fo Medicare
Medicare Plans

What you Need to Know about Open Enrollment fo Medicare

by Jagger Esch
written by Jagger Esch

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) begins October 15th and runs through December 7th each year. It’s also known as Medicare’s open enrollment. A time when Medicare Beneficiaries can re-evaluate their coverage and make changes. It’s also a good time for those who didn’t sign up for a Medicare plan when first eligible to go ahead and enroll. What you Need to Know about Open Enrollment fo Medicare
Depending on the type of plan you have, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage during this time. Only under special circumstances that qualify as a Special Election Period, can Medicare Beneficiaries make changes outside the Annual Enrollment Period. That’s why it’s imperative that you understand when you can make changes.
For example, with Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Medicare Part C) the Annual Election Period is when you can sign up, change or disenroll from the plan. The AEP allows Medicare Beneficiaries with Medicare Parts A & B to switch to a Part C plan.
In addition, Medicare Beneficiaries that are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) can disenroll in the Advantage Plan and enroll in a Medigap Plan, also known as a Medicare Supplement Plan.
The effective date for coverage elected during the Annual Enrollment Period will be January 1st of the following year.

Provider Networks

Are you willing to change doctors to save money? If you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, this will a topic on the table when you review your options. If you have any doctors that you are not willing to change, have that information handy.
It will help your agent research your options, and make sure the doctor you’d like to keep are in the preferred network of any Medicare Advantage Plan you are going to consider.

Prescription Drugs

Your pharmacy can provide you with a list of the drugs and doses you are currently prescribed. This list is convenient when reviewing your Part D, Prescription Drug coverage options. Whether you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement/ Medigap plan, you will need to know if you are getting enough prescription coverage.
Prescription drugs are categorized into different tiers, with copayments/ coinsurance depending on the tier they fall under. The same prescription may have different costs, depending on the Prescription Plan you purchase.
Your agent will ask you for a list of your prescription so they can review those options available and advise which one will best suit your needs.

How to evaluate your options

Confirm your eligibility to enroll

To sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and live in the service area of the Medicare Advantage Plan.
If you have end stage renal disease (ESRD), there are a few exceptions, but typically you cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan. You should contact Medicare for resources and options available.

Review changes to your situation and decide if your current coverage still meets your needs

Before the Medicare Annual Election Periodbegins, review the coverage you have in place. Consider the health benefits your current policy offers and weigh it against the benefits you’ve utilized over the previous 12 months.
You will receive an Evidence of Coverage from your current insurance carrier every fall. Use this document to review against your expected needs for the upcoming calendar year. Of course, nothing takes the place of a licensed insurance agent that can help you review the many options available to minimize your medical expenses.
Verify that your Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage is considered creditable. That means the coverage is expect to pay at least as much as the standard Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. If you go for 63 or more consecutive days without creditable drug coverage, you may incur a Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty. That penalty never goes away.
If you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) in place, you should check to see if your current plan offers dental and /or vision coverage. Usually, these ancillary benefits require a separate enrollment.
For most people, changes occur and our health coverage needs are no exception. It’s worth the time invested to make sure you have the coverage needed before it’s too late.

Be conscious of how enrolling in a Medicare plan may affect other insurance coverage

Coverage such as Tricare for Life or a Federal Employee benefits plan could be impacted if you choose to enroll in other Medicare Coverage. Before making any changes, be certain to speak to your licensed agent or benefits administrator to find out how your insurance works with Medicare.
There are some plans that require you to have Medicare to maintain eligibility, while others will cause you to irreversibly lose your coverage if you enroll into a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan.
We should really stress that if you have a retiree benefit plan, please contact your benefits administrator to be sure you understand your obligations in maintaining that coverage. Most plans that are offered to retirees just can’t be beat, so exercise caution if or when you choose to review other options that may be available.

Consider the cost of your coverage

With Medicare Advantage Plans, your insurance company reviews the plan benefits and premiums they charge, every year. Adjustments are made as needed to keep the premium/ loss ratio within the regulatory requirements.
Just as the insurance companies review the policies every year, your licensed agent can shop around and help you compare prices for the best coverage that will meet your anticipated needs and budget for the upcoming year. It has nothing to do with loyalty and is strictly dollar driven. Take advantage of the knowledge agents have to offer. Remember, the agent works for you.
Be cognizant of total cost sharing expenses. A lower premium doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save money if it’s offset by high deductibles or copayments.
Medigap Plan benefits do not change. Medigap or Medicare Supplement Plans are regulated by Medicare and the benefits do not change. These are the plans that are differentiated by letters, such as Medicare Supplement Plan F or G. It is of interest to note, there are at least ten different Medigap plans currently available.
Any rate increases must be submitted and approved by Medicare. With a Medigap plan, the coverage is the same for a Plan F no matter who underwrites the policy. Medigap Plans cost a little more in premium than an Advantage Plan, but leave the insured person with less out of pocket expenses when seeking medical treatment.

What Can You Do

Working through the intricacies of Medicare can be like navigating through murky water. Frankly, you never really know what’s below the surface. You need a trust licensed insurance agent. The agent works for you, as a matter of fact, the agent has a fiduciary responsibility to help you find the best plan to meet your needs and budget.
Contact your pharmacy and ask them to provide you a list of your medications and doses. Then make a list of the doctor’s you want to be in your network. Determine what benefits are “deal breakers” when you start looking over your coverage options this fall.
Gather your receipts from copayments and coinsurance that you’ve paid for the current 2017 year. Then seek out your agent to help you review the data and make an informed decision as to which coverages will best suit your needs in 2019.

What you Need to Know about Open Enrollment fo Medicare

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What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F
Medigap

What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F

by Jagger Esch
written by Jagger Esch

For decades Medicare Supplement Plan F has been a top seller; it covers all the gaps in Medicare and leave beneficiaries with a $0 bill. With predictable healthcare costs, financial planning is easier. What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F
Plan C, like Plan F, is a very comprehensive plan. The only thing it doesn’t cover is the Part B Excess Charges. Plan C is not the same as Part C. Plan C is a Medicare Supplement plan and does not cover prescription drugs.

Why Plan C & F are Being Eliminated

Congress, wanting to cut spending, decided that by no longer allowing companies to cover the part B deductible, medical overuse could be prevented. Plan C & F are the only plans that cover the part B deductible. For 2018, the annual part B deductible is $183.
Cutting spending is not the only reason these plans are being phased out. The big issue Congress has been trying to avoid was, how to get doctors better paid for their Medicare services in the next few years. If the deductible is paid by the beneficiaries instead of the insurance companies, the doctors can be better paid.
Doctors that are not adequately paid are not going to want to work in the Medicare program, as you can imagine. Many health care providers made threats to quit the Medicare program if they were paid any less.
Congress created the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and signed it into legislation on April 16, 2015.
This bipartisan legislation created the Quality Payment Program which does several things:

  • Repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate
  • Changes how Medicare rewards clinicians for value instead of volume.
  • Arranges quality programs under the Merit Based Incentive Payments System.
  • Gives bonus’ for use of eligible alternative payment models.
  • MACRA is also requiring CMS to remove Social Security Numbers from all Medicare cards by April 2019.
  • Medicare Premiums for higher income individuals will also be increasing.

If you are going to be impacted by these changes, you have plenty of time to plan now to minimize any financial impact ahead.
This new legislation enacted by Congress should get doctors the fair payment they want for their Medicare services. The only difference is Plan F and C will be phased out and new enrollees will be responsible for the Part B deductible on Plan D or G.
Plan G is one of the top plans available to Medicare Beneficiaries. The savings usually makes it the most affordable plan for enrollees, depending on the state and enrollment type. The annual part B deductible is only $183, and sometimes a Plan F premium will be $200 more than a Plan G. Making plan G the more sensible plan anyways.
I don’t know if this is really going to cut the annual expenditure of Medicare, arguments on both sides of the spectrum have been given. nce 2020 comes we can all discover the real outcome.
If the beneficiaries are not experiencing higher than usual costs and doctors are paid fair compensation, then Congress found a great quid pro quo solution. If it doesn’t work in raising the pay for doctors, hopefully we will see more creative solutions.

MACRA and How It Impacts Providers

MACRA implements values-based initiatives aimed at improving care and access for Medicare and CHIP beneficiaries. The Quality Payment Program aims to transition the healthcare industry from fee-for-service to value-based care.
This means Medicare physicians, physician assistants, and nurses must participate in either a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPs) or in Alternative Payment Models (APMs). The clinicians’ performance score will determine payment adjustment in later years. CMS will determine a positive, neutral or negative payment threshold.

Current Medicare Beneficiaries

If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Plan F or Plan C you should be “grandfathered” in to your plan and can keep your plan if you would like.
Some people are worried that the rates for Plan F and C will increase substantially, like in 2010 when plans H, I, and J were discontinued. The discontinuation of Plan F will be different in each state, some beneficiaries will still be able to change to other Plan F carriers in the future.
The states that follow the birthday rule or similar rule which lets them change Medicare Supplement companies during certain times of the year without going through any underwriting. This is the regulation in California, Connecticut, Missouri, New York and Oregon.
Only one Idaho has enacted legislation to be sure premium increases won’t affect Plan F beneficiaries specifically. The Idaho Department of insurance received misleading information from agents, telling people to switch plans now to avoid potential rate increases. Idaho Rule 18.01.54 protects Plan F policy holders from seeing a higher premium increase than other letter plan policy holders.

New to Medicare Enrollees

Congress believes that by implementing a mandatory deductible should make people think twice about visiting a doctor for a minor issue. Ideally this will mean fewer doctor visits, and lower Medicare spending.
Critics argue that by eliminating Plan F some people may choose to forego care altogether, resulting in even higher expenses later. If health conditions are not diagnosed early enough, Medicare could end up paying the price later.
The good news for Medicare beneficiaries is that the Part B deductible is not one of the biggest health care costs under Medicare. The Part B deductible for 2018 is only $183 for the year.
The Part A deductible is more than seven times the amount of the Part B deductible. In 2018 the Part A deductible costs $1,340 for each benefit period. Almost all standardized Medicare Supplement plans available in many of the states still cover at least 50% of the Medicare Part A deductible. Medicare Supplement Plan A is the exception, it does not cover the Part A deductible
For those new to Medicare, there are plans that are comprehensive and affordable; Plan G is one of them. You will be able to enroll in a plan G when you first become eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B.
Plan G covers everything Plan F covers, except for the Part B deductible. The doctor flexibility and $0 copayments give beneficiaries on this plan excellent coverage.
Plan N is another good option that is not getting discontinued. It is recommended that Medicare beneficiaries talk with an insurance agent about the plan that will be best suited for your individual healthcare and financial needs.

Things to Consider

The opponents of the legislation pointed out one brilliant thing; If someone has the money to purchase high-dollar coverage, they should be able to have that coverage. In theory, requiring beneficiaries to pay the Part B deductible should deter people from going to the doctor for minor problems.
Congress makes changes to the regulations on Medicare plans every so often. In 1990 they first made insurance companies standardized plan options for Medicare beneficiaries.
Then, in 2010 they removed some of the plan options like E, H I and J. The plans H, I and J were including prescription drug coverage; by eliminating that coverage option, congress was able to cut Medicare spending.
Congress can’t solve the Medicare-financing problem by borrowing funds. Debt in the Government is just a promise to raise taxes in the future. Younger workers will face massive tax increases if Congress does not cut Medicare spending.
With millions of people being affected by this change, at least Congress has given Medicare beneficiaries plenty of time to prepare. Legislation will always be changing and 2020 is still a few years away. What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F

What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F

What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F What to do with the elimination of Medigap Plans C & F

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5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity
Healthy Living

5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Up until recently, we believed our brain plasticity was stagnant and fixed. Dr. Norman Doige, a psychiatrist from the University of Toronto, helped to reveal that this isn’t the case. Neuroplasticity is something fluid that you can build up, and that means… you can create new neural pathways for the rest of your life. 5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity
Why is this important?
Like any other muscle in your body, when it comes to your brain, you either use it or lose it. To keep your cognition strong and to help set yourself up for successful aging, it’s important to create growth experiences for yourself that build up your neuroplasticity.
That’s why I’ve gathered these five secrets to help you build up your neuroplasticity:

1. Set meaningful goals

Too often I meet seniors who’ve lived a life of duty, where they dedicated their lives to the hustle bustle of work, family and responsibilities. This is a completely honorable commitment.
The main fallback is… your dream list of meaningful goals oftentimes gets trapped in a hope chest and by the time retirement hits, maybe you’ve not only lost sight of your dream list but you’ve also lost interest in creating meaningful challenges for yourself.
One of the ways to increase your neuroplasticity is to create new and exciting challenges for yourself, and the way to create new and exciting challenges for yourself is to set meaningful goals.
What’s the best way to set meaningful goals?
Find clarity through some serious self-reflection. This can really help you uncover some of the passions that you have deep inside you, which ultimately can help create some of your most vibrant new neural pathways in your brain.

2. Adopt a growth mindset

Once you have your meaningful goals, a powerful way to chase them and to keep your brain activated is to adopt a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is based on Dr. Carol Dweck’s idea that you can “grow your brain’s capacity to learn and solve problems.” It’s a perspective that believes you’re not born either smart or not-so-smart, but instead you’re born with the ability to learn.
The hard part?
It takes work. A critical ingredient of adopting a growth mindset is to embrace challenge. When we’re faced with any pitfalls and “fails” in life, especially when we’re willing to try something new and exciting, it’s easy to give up and run away from any challenges or roadblocks.
If you can learn the skill of learning and train yourself to look forward to those hard and challenging moments, you’ll be that much more likely to accomplish any of your personal goals.
Some more tips on developing a growth mindset:

  • Focus on the process and not the outcome– if you can get in the habit of enjoying the journey, you’ll be less focused on the destination, which in turn will allow your brain to better engage in the act of learning
  • Seek constructive criticism and not opinions– it’s a tough thing to let go of approval from others, but if you can instead learn to seek constructive feedback from other people, you’ll likely be more drawn to the learning process
  • Create a new goal for every goal that you complete– this’ll keep you in the mindset of lifelong learning and can help you continue to engage your brain over and over again in the long-term

3. Tackle your goals using micro-steps

A powerful way to accomplish any goal is to break it down into smaller chunks I like to call micro-steps. This does four promising things for you:

  • It keeps you less overwhelmed by the big picture goal
  • It makes your goal more achievable and realistic
  • You’ll know exactly what to tackle next
  • It builds up your momentum and nurtures a habit of working consistently toward your goal

The most important takeaway from using micro-steps is that you want to get in the habit of being consistent in tackling each one. In order to make lasting changes in your brain pattern, you need to be diligent about giving yourself a learning process. Continue to challenge yourself on a regular basis. If setting and achieving new meaningful goals can become habitual, that’s when the neuroplasticity magic can happen for you.

4. Be self-aware and mindful

According to Roberts Wesleyan College, you make nearly 35,000 decisions a day, which means a ton of those decisions are made while your brain is on autopilot. If you can learn to engage the decision-making part of your brain, your prefrontal cortex, you can increase your neuroplasticity.
A way to do this is to practice mindfulness so that you’re more self-aware and more likely to make value-based(vs autopilot) decisions throughout the day.
Researchers Bas Verplanken and Rob Holland found that people make value-based choices only when those values are cognitively activated.
Some ideas on how to practice mindfulness:

  • Meditate, practice yoga or do breathing exercises
  • Connect with nature and be more aware of your physical surroundings
  • Keep a journal and write about things you’re grateful for
  • Exercise regularly
  • Spend less time on digital devices and social media
  • Watch less TV

5. Align your social circle with growth experiences

Your circle of influence is everything when it comes to how your daily habits are impacted. You become who you most spend time with so be sure to align your social circle with your personal goals and good habits.
There are stats that highlight the power of association, like these:

  • If your friend is obese, you’re 57% more likely to gain weight
  • If your friend gets a divorce, your chance for divorce goes up by 75%

By surrounding yourself with like-minded people who care about the same meaningful things that you do, you’re much more likely to continue to conquer your goals and expand your growth experiences. This is what’ll keep your neuroplasticity built-up and strong.
Tip: Spend less time with people in your area of concern, which is the area that highlights negativity, gossip, the news, the stock market, drama, regrets, fear, etc.
So there you have it – five practical tactics that’ll help you build up your brain health and neuroplasticity.
Which secret will you tackle first? How will you continue to create new and meaningful growth experiences for yourself?
—
Founder of Second Wind Movement, Cyn Meyer offers education + coaching to help seniors transition into amazing next chapters and age successfully in place. By helping seniors live out active, healthy, happy “retirement” years, they can better fend off depression, loneliness, Alzheimer’s and nursing home occupancy.
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How Senior Home Care Can Address a $50 Billion Health Crisis
Caregiving

How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control, the US health care system now spends $50 billion a year on one of the most widespread, most dangerous, and most preventable health risks to seniors: falls among the elderly. How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis
It’s a familiar problem for those of us who work in senior home care. Each year, roughly a third of US seniors suffer a fall of some sort, and falls are the number one reason that seniors lose the ability to live independently. But senior home care providers aren’t just familiar with this issue. We’re also uniquely positioned to help reduce falls among the elderly.
With expanded access to fall prevention programs, the senior home care industry could play a key role in addressing this health crisis, reducing the financial costs of falls and, more importantly, their impact on seniors’ quality of life.

Elderly Fall Prevention & Senior Home Care

In releasing their findings, researchers at the CDC have highlighted the fact that falls among the elderly aren’t inevitable. In fact, falls suffered by US seniors are almost always preventable. The researchers also noted that fall prevention programs have a proven track record of reducing seniors’ risks of falls. Fall prevention programs, which identify and manage fall risks, have been shown to reduce rates of falls among the elderly by nearly 25%.
Fall prevention programs are offered by a range of different providers, including medical organizations and non-profits. However, many of today’s most popular fall prevention programs are offered through senior home care companies. Given the nature of senior home care, providers of these services are uniquely positioned to provide fall prevention assistance.

  • Senior home care services are provided in the comfort of home, where 55% of falls among the elderly occur. Many caregivers also accompany seniors away from home, helping elderly adults avoid falls wherever they may be.
  • Home caregivers are skilled in monitoring and caring for seniors who are coping with frailty, poor balance, reduced vision, and other health concerns that increase the risk of falls.
  • Caregivers are also familiar with the signs of declining physical and cognitive health, increasing the likelihood of early intervention.
  • Senior home care workers can make sure that their clients’ homes are free of many common fall risks, like cords blocking walkways, bunched up rugs and mats, and spills in bathrooms and kitchens.
  • Caregivers can help seniors make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk and impact of falls, including dietary changes and programs of light or moderate exercise.
  • In the event of a fall-related injury, a caregiver can contact emergency services as quickly as possible, greatly increasing the likelihood of survival.
  • Many senior home care agencies offer fall prevention resources to seniors and their family members, including detailed information on how your loved one can reduce their risk of falling by modifying their home environment and lifestyle.
  • Some senior home care agencies provide detailed fall prevention inspections, in which care professionals inspect seniors’ homes for fall risks and provide families with detailed, personalized recommendations about how best to resolve these risks.

Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program

At Visiting Angels®, we’ve long been concerned about the risks that falls pose to American seniors. That’s why we developed ourSafe and Steady fall prevention program. This program was designed to provide elderly adults with the information, resources, and support they need to avoid falls both inside and outside the home.
Visiting Angels takes a multi-faceted approach to fall prevention through senior home care:

  • The Safe and Steady program includes in-home assessments by our care directors. These assessments allow us to spot fall hazards in seniors’ homes and recommend corrective action to mitigate these hazards.
  • The program also includes caregiver education, so that our senior home care providers can identify and address fall risks to their clients, while encouraging lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of falls.
  • Educational resources are likewise provided to our clients and their families, so that they can practice effective fall prevention when our caregivers are not present.

When designing this senior home care program, we focused on practical ways that our clients and their families can prevent falls. This was possible thanks to more than twenty years of senior home care experience. We provide elderly adults with achievable strategies to prevent falls, helping our clients avoid the number one threat to their independence and the leading cause of accidental death among US seniors.
To learn more about our Safe and Steady fall prevention program, call Visiting Angels at 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels senior home care agency.
In addition, take advantage of the excellent products on Senior.com to help prevent falls in a home. Senior.com is an expert in helping you age in place with the right products.

How Senior Home Care Addresses a $50 Billion Health Crisis

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Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved
Medicare Plans

Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved

by Garrett Ball
written by Garrett Ball

How could Medicare improve eldercare benefits?

Medicare, by itself, is very good coverage, often much better than what most people are accustomed to as they age into Medicare. However, there is certainly room for improvement. Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved
Some of the aspects of medical care that are not covered, such as dental, vision and hearing for example, have often been discussed as possibly being added in to basic Medicare’s coverage. That would certainly be an improvement to the coverage offered by “original” Medicare.
Other changes that would potentially improve benefits offered by Medicare are reductions in the amount of the Medicare deductibles and out of pocket costs. It’s difficult to see that change happening any time soon, however, and this is why the majority of people on Medicare purchase some sort of coverage in addition to Medicare.

What’s the biggest challenge seniors face when applying for Medicare?

The biggest challenge that seniors face when going on Medicare is confusion about Medicare benefits, deadlines and processes. Because of the enormous amount of information that seniors receive leading up to their 65thbirthday or retirement, many seniors are paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice or confused by the system itself.
In our experience, many people applying for Medicare do not understand how to start the process of applying Medicare. Those that are already receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled into Medicare upon turning 65, so that does simplify the process for people in that situation. But for those that are not yet receiving Social Security benefits, it is a challenge to know what to enroll in and when they should enroll. There is not one document that seniors receive from Medicare that explains, in easy-to-understand terminology, the steps that one should take when applying for Medicare.
Additionally, this is even more complicated for seniors that are continuing to work past age 65 or are covered by a group insurance plan of some type. The decision of whether or not to take Medicare when they are first eligible is a decision that leads to confusion and can have potential long-term consequences.
Medicare has late enrollment penalties for Part B (medical coverage) and Part D (Rx coverage). So if a senior does not enroll on Medicare’s pre-determined time schedule, they can face these financial penalties, which are steep and stay with you in perpetuity.

Is there a medical service you or a loved one has needed that you thought Medicare would pay for and didn’t?

There are several medical services that are not covered by Medicare that can cause a problem for seniors and their families. Many people have the pre-conceived misconception that Medicare pays for everything. On the contrary, there are Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and co-pays that has spawned a whole industry of supplemental plans to fill in the Medicare “gaps”.
One of the areas that is not covered by Medicare is long-term care. We see this as a surprise to people on Medicare and their families because it is an area of care that so many seniors rely on later in life. However, Medicare itself does not cover nursing homes or custodial care. Now, there are insurance plans that you can purchase to cover that type of care, but these would, ideally, need to be purchased well before those benefits are actually needed.
Another medical service that is not covered by “original” Medicare is prescription drugs. Prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries is provided through Medicare Part D. This is always a separate plan, sold through a private company, and it must be signed up for separately (you are not automatically enrolled in prescription drug coverage in most situations). Also, if you delay enrollment into prescription drug Part D coverage, you may face higher premiums due to Medicare’s Part D late enrollment penalty.
Other medical care that is non-covered by Medicare are services for routine hearing, vision and dental care. There are some related aspects of these services that are covered, such as cataract surgery for example. But on the whole, routine care is not covered for hearing, vision or dental – this includes hearing aids, eyeglasses, and fillings, extractions, crowns, etc. You can purchase insurance to cover these things, but Medicare itself does not cover them.

Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved

Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved Our thoughts on how Medicare could be improved

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Take Steps to Organize your Care
Caregiving

Take Steps to Organize your Care

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

A recent column discussed the significant legal paperwork and the long-term care options. Research says, most of us deny that we will ever need long-term care but reality shows differently. Take Steps to Organize your Care
Today, let’s look at the steps that help you plan for a medical event if one should occur. It’s always best to “prepare in advance” long before you need help. By waiting for the last-minute, it could put you or the other person at risk of stress and in a position of not finding the best care. Take Steps to Organize your Care

  • Find a support community and network. The members offer valuable advice and by connecting with those in the similar situations will comfort knowing you can count on their experience.
  • Organize legal documents — select a trusted relative, friend, or professional as the power of attorney and the health care proxy, but make sure they understand your wishes.
  • Keep a list of contacts with names and phone numbers of the bank, lawyer, pharmacist, physician, hairdresser, yardman and others who help. Add neighbors, church connections, friends, and family. Don’t rely on memory for details.
  • Add local resources — religious and faith-based groups are reliable support. Consider local groups like Meals-on-Wheels and the Area Agency on Aging.
  • Obtain a home safety assessment — have the home assessed for safety to determine whether you or another will be safe and secure. The plan will recommend immediate, short-term and long-term solutions.
  • Start discussions with relatives and siblings — have care conversations with the family and make a plan. Consider each person’s natural talents–some are not comfortable giving baths, perhaps they can cook, clean, and run errands.

Turn to your doctor first

Medical issues to discuss with your doctor:

  • If you’ve fallen in the past 6 months
  • If you take 5 or more medications

Identify cognitive and functional abilities:

  • Do you need help with bathing, dressing, shopping, and paying bills?
  • Do you feel sad?

Identify your social support:

  • Who could help you in a crisis?
  • Do you have a long-term care policy?

Create a care and treatment plan with the medical staff.

  • Take advantage of delivery services for medications and food. Utilize home care if you need help with activities of daily living.

Make safety and fall prevention a priority.

Tell your doctor if:

  • You have trouble driving. Let the medical staff know if you experienced accidents or if you’ve gotten lost while driving.

Create a close bond with your medical team by

  • Developing a relationship with your primary care physician and staff
  • Learn their 24-hour call service
  • Learn if the hospital where your physician works has a 24-hour call service
  • Know nearby Urgent Care Centers
  • Some emergency rooms have fast track lines to help those unsure if it is a real emergency

Sign up for my newsletter – send an email to Carol@Seniorcare.com and write “sign me up” in the subject line.

Take Steps to Organize your Care

Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care Take Steps to Organize your Care

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Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Medicare Plans

Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson
For years, conventional wisdom in senior insurance said that if you were going to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan, Medigap plan F was the way to go. But is purchasing Plan F now a smart move considering it will no longer be issued to new enrollees as of 2020? Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?

What is Medigap?

Medigap is actually a nickname for all of the lettered Medicare Supplement plans. They are designed to pay some or all of the fees not covered under Original Medicare. Medigap pays the fees or “gaps” that Original Medicare typically requires you to pay out of pocket, such as copays, coinsurance and deductibles. These costs can really add up. Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Difference between Medicare Plan F and G:

Each lettered Medigap plan is designed to pay for different gaps in coverage. Plan F is considered the gold standard because it offers everything that Medigap is legally allowed to cover at a historically great price. Plan G, America’s second most popular plan, covers everything that F does except for the Part B deductible which currently is $183.
There is some speculation that Plan F’s monthly premium will increase after 2020 if new younger members are no longer allowed to enroll. Since no one knows what will take place in the future, how do you choose between the two?
We suggest starting with the current price. Many insurance companies now offer Plan G at such a great price that you can save hundreds of dollars annually over plan F. If you can find a plan G that saves you more than $183 a year over F today, it’s most likely a smart move to go with it now.
If you are unable to find a competitively priced plan G, then go with Medigap plan F. You don’t want to overpay for G just because we are unsure about the future of plan F prices.
One final note: Not all Medigap plan prices are posted online, so check with a licensed insurance agent before you pull the trigger on Medigap to make sure you have the best-priced plan in your area.
About the Author: Amy De Vore
Amy is a licensed independent agent. Senior65 is dedicated to helping seniors understand Medicare and enroll in appropriate senior insurance health plans. Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Should You Still Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F?

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Medicare Plans

Boomers turning 65 face complex healthcare choices

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Every day, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. Not everyone will sign up, but it’s important to understand the importance of early choices when enrolling in Medicare for the first time. Boomers turning 65 face complex healthcare choices
You can enroll in Medicare three months before turning 65, the month you turn 65 or up to three months afterward.
“Turning 65 opens the door to Medicare eligibility, but it brings with it some complex choices,” says Paula Muschler, manager of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a personalized Medicare plan selection service. “Choices seniors make at this time can impact their healthcare costs over the long term and their entire family.”
Muschler offers the following key steps for Medicare first-timers.
1. Take a look at your existing group health plan coverage and think about how it will coordinate with Medicare. Many people work past age 65. As a result, Medicare-eligible individuals who have health coverage through their employer or their spouse’s employer may be able to wait to enroll in Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient medical care. This is not true in every case, however. This option depends on other factors, such as the size of the employer and how soon you expect to retire after reaching 65. You may want to consider enrolling in Medicare Part A, which includes hospital coverage, even if you defer Part B.
2. Consider the options for first-time enrollment, keeping in mind your current health needs and financial resources. If you choose traditional Medicare, you have an average of 31 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from which to choose. You can also choose from 10 standard Medigap policies for supplemental coverage, ranging from basic to comprehensive coverage. The price for these plans also can differ from one company to the next.
Adding to the complexity, Medigap plans are not required to accept you after your initial enrollment period. This is one reason first-time choices are crucial. Seniors evaluating Medicare Advantage plans over traditional Medicare also have an array of options – an average of 20 plans, depending on where you live. “We’ve been able to help Allsup customers find plans that cost less and match their specific healthcare needs,” Muschler says.
3. Follow Medicare enrollment rules to avoid costly mistakes. Penalties are in place for decisions related to Part B and Part D coverage. The late-enrollment penalty is 10 percent for each full 12-month period you could have been enrolled in Part B. Likewise, Part D imposes a penalty if you go for more than 63 days without coverage after enrolling in Part B.
“Your first-time Medicare plan choices also are more complicated if you have retirement dates, COBRA coverage or dependent coverage to consider,” Muschler says. “These are good reasons to contact a Medicare specialist, who can help answer the right questions and provide guidance to seniors so they make choices that match their situations.”
4. Understand how higher income and changes in your income affect Medicare costs. Higher-income beneficiaries pay higher premiums for Medicare Part B and prescription drug coverage. For Part B, the 2013 monthly premium is $104.90 for joint filers with income of $170,000 or below ($85,000 for single filers). However, the premium increases to between $146.90 and $335.70 for those with incomes above these thresholds. Likewise, higher-income beneficiaries can expect to pay from $11.60 to $66.40 more each month in prescription drug premiums.
The Social Security Administration uses IRS records when determining premiums. Social Security may reduce an individual’s income-related monthly premium with verification. “Social Security has specific requirements about how you can document changes in your income when you are requesting reduced Medicare premiums,” Muschler explains.
5. Review healthcare coverage for your spouse and dependents to determine how your choices may affect their coverage. If you are nearing Medicare eligibility, you can find yourself at a crossroads when it comes to providing healthcare for your entire family.
Some employers may continue to provide coverage to a worker’s family, or you may need to purchase COBRA coverage or private coverage for family members. “One early step is to talk with your benefits plan administrator to see what options you may have and then plan for your family,” Muschler says.
Seniors turning 65 have seven months during their initial enrollment period to make critical decisions. But you can begin evaluating your options earlier to be better prepared.
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Boomers turning 65 face complex healthcare choices

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