Medicare: What You Need to Know
There are 2 ways to get Medicare coverage:
Original Medicare is Hospital (Part A) and Medical (Part B). If you need drug coverage you can buy a drug plan (Part D). You can also add Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). This helps pay personal costs.
Medicare Advantage Plan is a blended plan. It includes Part A, Part B, and Part D. Most plans also have vision, hearing, and dental coverage.
Medicare open enrollment is a time when you can look over your coverage. It is important to look at your Medicare plan every year, as it can change year to year. During Medicare open enrollment you can:
- Change Medicare Advantage plans.
- Change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
- Change from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
- Join a Medicare Part D plan.
- Change from one Part D plan to another.
- Cancel Medicare Part D.
Medicare open enrollment begins October 15 and ends on December 7. The changes to your plan will take place on January 1 the following year.
You can go to www.medicare.gov to find the right plan for you. You can also speak to your local insurance agent.
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Negative COVID-19 test? Could I still be positive?
There are many different COVID tests on the market. There are rapid tests that take 15 minutes to get your result. There are also tests that get sent to a lab which may take 2-4 days to get your result. The rapid tests are unfortunately not as reliable as the lab tests. The rapid tests do give you a much quicker result though.
If you test negative on a rapid test, you could still have COVID. This is especially true if you have specific symptoms (loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath). We like to call this a “presumed positive.” If you test negative with symptoms it may be necessary to also get a lab test done. The lab test will give you more validation on your results. If you choose to not get the second lab test, it is safe for you to assume you may have COVID based on your specific symptoms. It is important to isolate for 10 total days from the start of your symptoms until you are sure of your result. It is important to realize though that even if your lab test is negative, you are still sick. Always wear your mask in public and stay home if at all possible.
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How to Control Spring Allergies
Spring brings in good things like warm temperatures, blooming flowers and green grass. But for some people, spring means constantly sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, and stuffy nose. These are common signs of seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies also known as “hay fever”, occurs when they body recognizes an attacker, called pollen. Pollen is released from plants as tiny particles, that can be seen in the air. When the body recognize the pollen, it sends a message to the body to cause symptoms.
Seasonal allergies are treated with drugs called antihistamines. Antihistamines, blocks a compound in the body called histamine. Blocking histamine relieve the symptoms caused by seasonal allergies. A common antihistamine is Benadryl. Benadryl is not commonly used anymore to treat seasonal allergies because it can cause drowsiness. Some common antihistamines are Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin. These medications can be brought over-the-counter.
There are ways to decrease allergy symptoms by knowing the triggers. Stay away from mowing the lawn, gardening and other outside hobbies. Wear a mask when doing outside hobbies. Keep windows and doors closed so pollen won’t enter the home. Remove clothing and shower to clean off the pollen on the skin and hair.
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Mosquitos
Mosquitos are common pests that we see in Missouri, especially in the summer. We see a lot of mosquitos around water. Mosquito bites can be itchy and annoying, and we worry about them because some mosquitos can spread sickness through bites. Some examples are West Nile virus or malaria. You can prevent bites by using and reapplying bug spray. Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants will also help.
If you do get a mosquito bite, wash with soap and water. You can use an ice pack on the bite for about 10 minutes to help with swelling and itching. There are creams you can buy (like Benadryl cream) to help with the itching. If you have questions about creams, give us a call!
It is important to not scratch bites because you don’t want it to get infected. If you think the bite might be infected or if it gets worse, call your doctor.
Tips for bug spray:
- Always apply sunscreen before bug spray
- Do not spray bug spray under your clothes
- DEET is safe and works really well
- Follow directions on the bottle
- Do not spray on your face or spray on hands to apply to face
Mosquito bites might not seem that bad, but it is important to try to not get bit because some mosquitos can spread disease.
For more information about bug sprays: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
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Copay vs. Coinsurance vs. Deductible – What’s the difference?
The words copay, coinsurance, and deductible are used a lot, but what do they actually mean?
A deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance starts to pay. For example: your insurance might have you pay $2000 for medical costs before they start paying their part.
A copay (or copayment) is a set amount you pay when you go to the doctor or pharmacy. For example: you might pay $20 every time you see your doctor or $5 every time you pick up a medicine. Sometimes you can see your copay on your insurance card.
Most plans have deductibles and copays. Sometimes your copays count towards part of your deductible.
Coinsurance is how much of the cost you will pay after you have paid the deductible. For example, you might be responsible for 20% of costs, while insurance will cover 80% of costs. Coinsurance tells you how the cost is shared between you and your insurance company.
If you have questions about your insurance plan, you can always give your insurance company a call!
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Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important as temperatures hit record numbers. The heat can bring upon a lot of issues. Staying hydrate keeps your body active. When it’s hot your body sweat. The body is releasing fluids through sweat. When you don’t drink water to put the fluid back you can become dehydrated. Elderly people and children are at a greater risk for dehydration. Signs of dehydration are tiredness, fever, chills, fast heartbeat, and confusion
There are ways to stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Drink water every day. Stay away from alcohol and sugary drinks like juice. Eat fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, and celery. When the temperature are high stay in the house. Or avoid sitting or standing outside for a long period of time. Wear cool clothing like shorts, sandals, hats.
What if I don’t like water? Some people don’t enjoy the taste of water. Here some ways to drink water without the taste:
1) Add sugar-free juice packets to your water. The sweet flavor will help you drink more water. And not focus on the taste.
2) You can also add fruit to your water, such as lemons or strawberries. You can even freeze the fruit and add it to your water.
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Having a Healthy Heart
The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. There are different types of heart disease. A common type is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease happens when the artery walls are full of plaque. A build-up of plaque can cause a heart attack. Some common signs of heart disease are chest pain, chest tightness, pain in the arms or shoulders, and shortness of breath. If you ever experience these symptoms call 9-1-1.
There are many ways to have a healthy heart. Exercise is one of them. Exercising 30 minutes a day decrease the risk of having a heart attack. Some examples of exercising are swimming, running, walking, jumping rope. Eating a healthy diet is another way. Eat less processed foods and more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water. Avoid sodas and sugary juices. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts stress on your heart. Smoking and stress make your heart weak. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
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Sunburn
What is sunburn? Sunburn is when the sun burns the skin. The skin become red and painful to touch. You can normally see the burn after being in the sun for a long time. Redness and pain are common symptoms of sunburn. But there are others, such as swelling and blistering. If the sunburn is really bad you may have a headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue. How does this happen? Sunburn happens when too much UV light enter the skin.
This is why wearing sunscreen is important. Everyone should wear sunscreen daily. This includes people who don’t tan fast and babies. Sunscreen protect the skin from damage. Damage to the skin can cause cancer and aging. Different medications can make your skin sensitive to the sun too. The minerals and chemicals in the sunscreen help the skin in different ways. The minerals stop the sun rays from entering the skin. The chemicals soak of the UV rays so they won’t damage the skin.
Sunscreen can be bought at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, or any local store. So, which sunscreen should I get? The bottle of sunscreen has a SPF number on it. The higher the SPF number the more protection. Apply the sunscreen to the entire body every day. Reapply sunscreen after sweating and swimming.
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The difference between bacteria and viruses
Bacteria and viruses are all around us in our everyday lives. Both of them can cause us to get sick. They are very small and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Though the two are different from one another in a lot of ways.
Bacteria can be both good and bad for the body. In your stomach there is good bacteria that helps to keep you from getting sick. Bacteria is made up of only one cell. This single cell can survive outside of the body. Bacteria can live in a range of temperatures. It can be found on surfaces and in the environment. When bacteria makes us sick it is usually local and does not spread throughout the body. Bacteria that cause us to get sick can be treated with antibiotics. These drugs kill the bacteria and stop the infection from getting worse. Some sicknesses caused by bacteria include strep throat and food poisoning.
Viruses are different from bacteria. These are even smaller. Viruses require your body to stay alive. They take over the cells in your body and use them to spread the virus. This can cause the sickness to spread throughout the body. Since they need your body to live, they die if on a surface too long. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work against viruses like they do against bacteria. Viruses can cause the common cold, the flu and COVID-19. There are lots of easy ways to avoid getting sick. Wash your hands and clean surfaces that are touched frequently. Remember to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Lastly, wear a mask in public to reduce the spread through the air. All of these actions can be beneficial for everyone’s health in the community.
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What vaccines do I need as an adult?
Just about everyone can remember the yearly visit to their pediatrician’s office for their childhood vaccines. What about the vaccines after your turn 18? Are there any more vaccines that you need? And who is keeping track of all this? This blog post was written in 2021. Some vaccine recommendations can change yearly. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, check the CDC’s website! Here is a link: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
First, let’s talk about the vaccines we need to get on a routine basis throughout life:
- Influenza: Every year
- It is recommended that you get a flu shot every year. Each year, scientists study flu trends and reformulate the flu vaccine. The flu shot protects against the strains of flu that will be the most common for that year.
- There are different formulations of the flu vaccines depending on your age. Those over 65 get a high-dose flu shot.
- Tetanus (Td or Tdap): Every 10 years
- We need a tetanus booster every 10 years to maintain immunity.
- There are two types of tetanus shots. Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria. Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- Pregnant women should get a Tdap shot in the third trimester of each pregnancy. This protects their baby against whooping cough.
Now let’s talk about the vaccines that are linked to age:
- Shingles: 50+ years
- The new recombinant shingles vaccine, known as Shingrix, should be given to those over 50.
- This is a two-series vaccine. This means that you will need 2 doses for full protection. The two doses are spaced out by 2-6 months.
- What if I had the old Shingles vaccine?
- If you were vaccinated for Shingles prior to 2017, you likely got the Zostavax vaccine. This is just an older version of the shingles vaccine.
- If you got the Zostavax, it is recommended that you also receive Shingrix (the new shingles shot). Shingrix provides much better protection against shingles.
- Pneumonia: 65+ years (but it depends)
- There are two types of pneumonia shots: PPSV23 (Pneumovax-23), and PCV13 (Prevnar-13).
- The recommendations for pneumonia vaccines change frequently. The recommendations are very person-specific.
- Currently, if you have a healthy immune system, you should get 1 dose of Pneumovax-23 after you turn 65.
- Special circumstances:
- If you have a chronic medical condition (listed below), you should get 1 dose of Pneumovax-23 between in ages of 19-64
- Chronic heart (excluding high blood pressure), lung, or liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, or cigarette smoking
- If you are 19+ and are immunocompromised, you should get:
- 1 dose of Prevnar-13, wait 8 weeks, then get 1 dose of Pneumovax-23, wait 5 years, then get 1 more dose of Pneumovax-23
- If you have a chronic medical condition (listed below), you should get 1 dose of Pneumovax-23 between in ages of 19-64
Who keeps track of all of my shots?
- In short, the best person to keep track of the vaccines that you get is yourself. This is much easier said than done. I recommend writing down the shot name and date on a piece of paper that stays in your wallet. That way you’ll always have the information available when needed.
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