Tag: Medicare

How to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in Medicare age individuals

Would you like to know how to slow down cognitive decline, isolation and depression in Medicare age individuals?

Watch this and find out.

That’s right, get a hearing aid! Now before you start whinging about cost and the nuisance factor and the annoyance, hear me out 😊.

After too many concerts as a young man, I finally got a pair of inner ear hearing aids they truly changed my life and the lives of those I love.

I can hear the birds sing when we drink our morning coffee. I don’t yell at the kids (as much). I don’t have to pretend I understand. That’s a big deal.

Studies have shown hearing loss leads to isolation, falls, reduced heart health, depression and dementia. Being able to hear well is life changing.

My audiologist tells me most people wait SEVEN YEARS past the time they need them. Most importantly, restored hearing can save a marriage and improve the quality of your life.

Some Medicare plans do cover the cost or partial cost of hearing aids. If your plan doesn’t, consider a trip to Costco. They have in store testing and reasonably priced equipment.

If that’s still out of your price range, visit a Bose audio store and try out their Bose Hearphones ( I have a pair I use for phone work). You can actually adjust the acoustics using your smart phone and they are amazing (and priced at just $500).

I can actually hear and communicate in a noisy restaurant (assuming we ever eat out again). Plus they are the only self regulating hearing aids approved by the FDA.

So don’t let your damn pride get in the way of living well. Get your hearing tested. You’ll be glad you did.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

This too shall pass!

May is National Mental Health Month and worldwide, depression is one of the leading causes of health issues.

As the COVID Quarantine continues to reshape my Medicare clients’ lives and lives all and around the world, it’s important to remember the importance of self care, both mental and physical, during these challenges times.

Equally, important, to keep our emotions in perspective, to recognize no matter how great things are going or no matter how many challenges there are in our lives, things will change.

In times of struggle, it is so easy to lose perspective and compare our lives with those who appear to be doing so much better than us, financially, emotionally, physically.

Remember to keep life in perspective. Give thanks for what you do have and find ways to help others. Re-frame, serve others, give thanks and repeat. That’s all we can do.

Here is an article that can help: How to Stay Optimistic When Everything Seems Wrong

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Sometimes you just have to howl at the world!

Check out this video to see how
my neighborhood in Highlands Ranch
is responding to the Corona quarantine.

That’s right sometimes all you
can do is howl and keep going.

In our neighborhood, every
night at 8:00 people step out
side and howl. It’s really been
fun.

Regarding changes in Medicare,
we are seeing some new genetic
testing coming out for people
with cancer, diabetes, heart/
stroke issues or with Alzheimer’s.

The testing, depending on your
coverage, may have zero dollar
co-pays.

Of course this testing should improve
treatment protocols for those with
these health concerns, but equally
important, this new genetic data may
provide a road map for children and
grandchildren with these genetic
predispositions.

Ping me if you have questions.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

It’s time to shop smart!

This week’s video might seem mundane, but PLEASE WATCH, it could save your life!

People over 60 and people on Medicare
face the greatest risk from COVID-19.
Why take any chance of exposure to the
virus?

Use a shopping service (Safeway, Kroger,
Walmart) so they deliver the groceries
to your car.

Watch Dr. Wingen’s video on how to safely
transfer the groceries into your home.

Did you know the virus can live on paper
and plastic? (I didn’t.) I am following
his directions now, believe me.

https://bit.ly/2R40mHh

If you and your spouse are home now
shut in together for the first time and
things are getting tough, remember to
set up your prepaid legal now… just
kidding.

Laugh, run around the house and
remember all the reasons you got
together to begin with.

Life is all about perspective.

Hang in there friends, we’ll get through
it and be stronger for the ride.

I’m here if you need me!

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

How to survive at home during social distancing

Even though I’ve worked from home for years
with Medicare clients, this has been a strange
week.

Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation.

Watch this video to learn some of my tips.

This is the biggest shift we’ve had since 9/11
and you know it hasn’t been easy.

I’ve had to change my patterns and shake up the
way I work and live, but that’s been a good thing.

Here are some of things we can do to stay healthy
and connected during the Corona Virus Epidemic.

Call friends and family.

Use Skype, Facetime or WhatsApp to connect.

Take a free online class to keep your mind active,
here’s the link https://bit.ly/2UmfD76

Work in the yard.

Play a board game

Cook something new that you’ve never tried.

Ding Dong Ditch your neighbor…just kidding about that one 😉

The important things to remember: we are so much luckier than so many.

We have our homes, water, proper roads, electricity and food.

We do not live in a war zone and no one is shooting at us.

Perspective is so important during times of crises.

So reach out to those you love and if you have questions about Medicare
coverage, COVID-19 or anything related to healthcare, or your just need
to chat, check in with us at The Big 65. We promise to help.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan G. Learn more about Medicare Advantage issues.

Learn more about MA vs Medigap guide.

Here’s what you need to know about Medicare and COVID-19

There’s quite a bit of false information swirling about the Corona Virus, and here’s the good news: There are no out of pocket cost for Medicare COVID-19 Lab Tests.

Check out the video for details.

Here’s the Bad News:

“Older People may be twice as like likely
to have a serious COVID 19-Illness.”

Here are the precautions you need to take:

• Avoid contact w/ people who are sick.
• Wash your hands (really wash them).
• Avoid high touch surfaces.
• Avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds.
• Don’t touch your face .
• Defer all cruises and non-essential travel.
• Stock up on groceries and over the counter
medical supplies and groceries.

Here’s the good news:

Most people will be able to recover at home. Here’s
the Medicare information you need.

• There are no out of pocket costs for Medicare
COVID-19 Lab tests.
• Medicare covers all “Medically necessary
hospitalizations,” including a COVID-19
diagnosis, and post treatment hospital
quarantine.
• There is NO VACCINE yet. If one is created,
IT WILL BE COVERED UNDER PART D.
• Medicare covers “virtual check-ins,” so
you may be able to connect virtually.

Be sure to call your insurance carrier for details
but here is the link for the Medicare information
on COVID-19:

bit.ly/COVID-19MEDICAREINFO

Book a time on my calendar below if you have questions.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Learn more about Plan G coverage. Learn more about why some avoid Medicare Advantage.

Learn more about Medigap vs Medicare Advantage.

Hospital Observation Status Could Kill You…Financially!

Understanding the difference between hospital observation and hospital admittance under Medicare is essential if you don’t want to get ripped off by this loophole.

Avoiding Medicare mistakes is essential.

Understand the difference between “observation” and “admittance.”

When you go in the hospital and you are given observation status,
it means the doctors aren’t really sure how sick you are. If it
turns out you are quite ill and later need skilled nursing care
or rehabilitation services, Medicare might not pay for it if you
haven’t been admitted. In that case, you could be out of pocket
for a lot of money.

When you arrive in the hospital, do not sign papers blindly. Ask
to be admitted and if you are not sure, demand to see a Hospital
Patient Advocate before you sign any papers that will limit
your ability to appeal.

This is complicated but important so be ready when a surprise
Medicare Hospitalization occurs.

Here’s a link to a more comprehensive article:

http://bit.ly/2Q7syIQ

Book a time on my calendar if you have questions.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Learn more about Medigap Plan G. Learn more about potential drawbacks of Medicare Advantage.

Learn more about Medicare Advantage vs Medigap.