Tag Archives: Medicare

Issues of Aging

Posted on by MaryO

Once again, I’ve changed the focus of this blog.  This time to the issues and problems that come with aging.

In January 2018, I managed to do something painful to my thumb.  I finally couldn’t take it anymore and went to the ER on February 1.  They did x-rays and sent me away with a spica splint (I thought they were calling it a thumb spike), a diagnosis of deteriorating thumb joint plus tendonitis, and a referral to an orthopedic doctor.

Here it is the end of March and I still haven’t been able to get to that new doctor.  Maybe soon?

February 6, 2018 we were still living at the Residence Inn due to water damage at our home on November 6, 2017 (more on that in another blog, someday).  My mom and I were coming back from WalMart and she fell in the parking lot.  Luckily, DH was still in our apartment and he came right down.  He couldn’t get her to stand up, so I drove the car over to her.  Although she didn’t want to go, we took her to the emergency room.

They did lots of scans there.  The first determined that she’d broken her pelvis in 2 places.  Thankfully, they don’t do surgery for a broken pelvis.  They thought that they would send her to Mount Vernon Hospital for intensive rehab.

Her white blood count was high, so they assumed infection and started 2 IV meds for that.  Her blood pressure dropped very low several times, causing her to pass out.

A chest x-ray was clear, so no infection there.  Because of the passing out episodes, they sent her for a head scan in case there had been a stroke.  Nope.

About 1 am on the 7th, a hospitalist came in to admit her.  He asked if she had abdominal pain and she said yes.  So, he started palpating various areas and found a tender spot.  He called for an abdominal scan, which showed internal bleeding.  So, the WBC wasn’t from infection but massive blood loss.

They called an ambulance and sent her to Fairfax Hospital for emergency surgery to stop the bleeding.

At Fairfax, they did a new scan with contrast – missed that she was allergic to that – and found that the bleeding was stopping all by itself.  Then, they gave her Benadryl.

She stayed there for 3 nights because Medicare required 3 midnights before going to rehab.  <Sheesh!>

From there, she went to Manor Care for rehab.  She no longer qualified for Mount Vernon.

She was doing really well…until she started having internal bleeding.  Back to Fair Oaks.  Same room.  AARRGGHH!  She was admitted for a few days to stop the bleeding and turned out to have an ulcer.  Then, edema.

Finally, she came home and is doing really well with a walker.  The pelvis is supposed to heal itself in a couple months.

 

 

 

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Tomorrow!

Posted on by MaryO

One Day

From October 15 to December 7 every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) gives you free reign to change your Medicare coverage. Take advantage of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period or you could be stuck with your plan for the coming year, premiums and all.

 

What You Can Do During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is your time to pick the Medicare plan that gives you the best coverage for the best price.

Here are your different options.

You can change from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.

  • You can switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).
  • You can switch from Original Medical to a Medicare Advantage Plan with Part D coverage (an MA-PD plan).
  • You can switch from Original Medicare plus a Part D plan to a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • You can switch from Original Medical plus a Part D plan to an MA-PD plan.

You can change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.

  • You can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.
  • You can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare plus a Part D plan.
  • You can switch from an MA-PD plan to Original Medicare.
  • You can switch from an MA-PD plan to Original Medicare plus a Part D plan.

You can change from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Advantage.

  • You can change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
  • You can change from a Medicare Advantage plan to an MA-PD plan.
  • You can change from one MA-PD plan to another MA-PD plan.
  • You can change from an MA-PD plan to a Medicare Advantage plan.

You can change your prescription drug coverage.

  • You can sign up for a Part D plan.
  • You can switch from one Part D plan to another Part D plan.
  • You can cancel your Part D coverage.

What You Cannot Do During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment has its limits. You cannot enroll in Original Medicare for the first time or sign up for Part B, even if you already have Part A.

You need to sign up for Part A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The IEP is based on age and begins three months before and end three months after your 65th birthday.

Alternatively, if you have insurance through an employer, you may be able to delay your initial enrollment. This is only the case if the company you work for employs at least 20 full-time employees. Your special enrollment period begins when you leave your job or you lose your employer-sponsored health coverage, whichever comes first, and lasts for eight months.

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you need to wait until the General Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. The General Enrollment Period happens once a year from January 1 to March 31.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Starts Today!

Posted on by MaryO

cardiac-rehab

DH finally starts his cardiac rehab today, just over 8 weeks after his triple bypass.

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) teaches you how to be more active and make lifestyle changes that can lead to a stronger heart and better health. Cardiac rehab can help you feel better and reduce your risk of future heart problems.

In cardiac rehab, you work with a team of health professionals. Often the team includes a doctor, a nurse specialist, a dietitian, an exercise therapist, and a physical therapist. The team designs a program just for you, based on your health and goals. Then they give you support to help you succeed.

If you have had a heart attack, you may be afraid to exercise. Or if you have never exercised, you may not know how to get started. Your cardiac rehab team will help you start slowly and work up to a level that is good for your heart.

Many hospitals and rehab centers offer cardiac rehab programs. You may be part of a cardiac rehab group, but each person will follow his or her own plan.

Who should take part in cardiac rehab?

Doctors often prescribe cardiac rehab for people who have had a heart attack or bypass surgery. But people with many types of heart or blood vessel disease can benefit from cardiac rehab. Rehab might help you if you have:

  • Heart failure.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD).
  • Had or plan to have a heart transplant.
  • Had angioplasty to open a coronary artery.
  • Had another type of heart surgery, such as valve replacement.

Often people are not given the chance to try cardiac rehab. Or they may start a program but drop out. This is especially true of women and older adults. And that’s not good news, because they can get the same benefits as younger people. If your doctor suggests cardiac rehab, stay with it so you can get the best results.

Medicare will pay for cardiac rehab for people with certain heart problems. Many insurance companies also provide coverage. Check with your insurance company or your hospital to see if you will be covered.

What happens in cardiac rehab?

In cardiac rehab, you will learn how to:

  • Manage your heart disease and problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  • Exercise safely.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Reduce stress and depression.
  • Get back to work sooner and safely.

Exercise is a big part of cardiac rehab. So before you get started, you will have a full checkup, which may include tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and a “stress test” (exercise electrocardiogram). These tests show how well your heart is working. They will help your team design an exercise program that is safe for you.

At first your rehab team will keep a close watch on how exercise affects your heart. As you get stronger, you will learn how to check your own heart rate when you exercise. By the end of rehab, you will be ready to continue an exercise program on your own.

What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?

Starting cardiac rehab after a heart attack can lower your chance of dying from heart disease and can help you stay out of the hospital. It may reduce your need for medicine.

Cardiac rehab may also help you to:

  • Have better overall health.
  • Lose weight or keep weight off.
  • Feel less depressed and more hopeful.
  • Have more energy and feel better about yourself.

Changing old habits is hard. But in cardiac rehab, you get the support of experts who can help you make new healthy habits. And meeting other people who are in cardiac rehab can help you know that you’re not alone.

Adapted from CardioSmart.org

Related articles