Articles

A medical emergency can occur to anyone at any time, but studies show that trips to the emergency room become more common as people get older. In fact, these numbers reveal that over 16 percent of adults in the United States who are 65 and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually.  Most people who are older than 65 visit hospital emergency rooms across the country for the following reasons:  Injuries due to falls which are the leading cause of injury (fatal and non-fatal) for…

Getting to and from medical appointments can be a challenge for seniors. If you need transportation for healthcare services, you may be questioning if Medicare covers the cost. The answer is that it depends on the type of Medicare plan you have, the destination healthcare facility, the medical necessity and whether or not the situation warrants emergency transport. Transportation to see the doctor Original Medicare does not cover your ride to doctor appointments, but some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans include this transportation benefit. At minimum,…

X-rays have been used to investigate medical conditions and aid in the diagnosis of healthcare concerns since the early 1900s. In the late 1800s in Germany, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the effects of current being passed through a cathode-ray tube. Today, having x-rays taken is a common type of test used in doctor’s offices as well as hospitals. An x-ray exam is a quick and painless way for healthcare professionals to view bones and some soft tissue without the need for invasive procedures. Are x-rays harmful?…

The gradual loss of hearing that comes with age, also known as presbycusis, makes it difficult for older adults to discern what people are saying, hear voices over the telephone or on TV, and participate in conversations and social settings. Because age-related hearing loss is gradual, you may not realize it is getting worse. The National Institute on Aging reports that about one-third of people between 65 and 74 years of age have hearing loss, and almost one-half of people older than that age group…

Humira is the brand-name of the generic form of the drug adalimumab. It’s a monoclonal antibody that the FDA approved in 2002 to relieve pain and swelling in patients with the following autoimmune conditions:  Rheumatoid arthritis (adults) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis (adults)  Ankylosing spondylitis (adults) Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis Plaque psoriasis Hidradenitis supperativa Uveitis (certain types)  If your physician prescribes Humira, you can administer it yourself at home through easy-to-use pre-filled pens or syringes. Today, Humira is the world’s highest-selling drug, but it doesn’t…

Blood glucose is a measure of the level of sugar in your blood. All kinds of foods can create glucose, and while you may only think that only sweet foods containing a lot of natural sugar are to blame, the body actually produces glucose from sources like carbohydrates as well. For many people, diet and exercise can control blood glucose levels, sometimes measured as HbA1C and referred to simply as A1C. When A1C levels are too high, diabetes may be the culprit. This is a…

As people age, it isn’t uncommon to experience a decline in your mobility. Common conditions like arthritis (which can cause stiff and painful joints), heart disease, low or high blood pressure, diabetic neuropathy, or recovering from an injury or surgery can all lead to balance issues, falls, or a loss of mobility.  If you’ve been experiencing dizziness, problems with balance, or you’re finding it difficult to move or walk, you might be able to gain back or keep some independence and raise your quality of…

When someone first hears about taking a nuclear stress test, this news by itself can cause stress. Nuclear tests on the human body? The truth, however, is that nuclear stress tests are safe ways to check cardiovascular health. These tests rely on a small amount of radioactive material called a radiotracer that gets mixed with saline which is then introduced to your blood via intravenous injection. Once the radiotracer is circulating, you may be asked to perform a series of simple exercises. After your heart…

Medical treatment often involves a number of approaches. For some people, a healthcare concern may require nothing more than lifestyle adjustments in order to resolve health issues. Other cases, however, may require the use of prescription medications, treatment, or even surgical intervention in order to resolve. Still, others may necessitate the use of durable medical equipment that is either purchased for permanent use or rented for temporary use. What is considered durable medical equipment? Durable medical equipment is typically considered to be healthcare equipment that…

Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs. For your medications to be covered, you must either sign up for a Medicare-approved Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or join a Medicare Advantage plan that covers prescription drugs. Each plan has a formulary, an approved drug list, where you can check to see if Ozempic is covered. Prescription coverage costs include the: Plan’s monthly premium, standard or higher, depending on income level Deductible, if any Copayment or coinsurance for each prescription, based on tiers of pricing…