Articles

Medicare is the federally run national health insurance system that provides health care coverage for over 65 million beneficiaries in the United States. Most people start getting Medicare when they turn 65, but others get coverage earlier if they have a qualifying disability. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and, or Part B (medical insurance). Or you can choose to purchase a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, a bundled alternative form of Original Medicare Parts A and…

Medicare and Medicaid are government programs that provide health care coverage for eligible recipients who live in the United States.  Medicaid follows federal government guidelines, but each U.S. state runs its own Medicaid program with different eligibility requirements and coverage allowances. Today in this country there are around 87 million people enrolled in Medicaid, and it’s the largest health care program for people of all ages who are living on a limited income.   Medicare, on the other hand, is a federally run program that covers…

Advancements in medical technology have provided seniors and retirees with greater life expectancy and improved quality of life. Among the most intriguing advances within this industry has been the creation of monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are made by cloning white blood cells and hold a lot of promise for alternative therapies for treating diseases like cancer. Creating monoclonal antibodies is complex, but the result can bolster the immune system in ways that would not have occurred naturally. This is a form of biotechnology since monoclonal…

Today in the United States, there are over 65 million people who depend on Medicare insurance to help cover health care expenses. Unlike Medicaid, your eligibility for Medicare enrollment isn’t dependent on your income.  You can enroll in Medicare at age 65 if you’re a U.S. citizen, or a permanent legal resident living in the country for at least five years. You may also qualify if you’re younger than 65 and have a disability or end-stage renal disease. Medicare covers a large percentage of many…

In the United States, there are approximately 63 million people enrolled in the federal health insurance program known as Medicare.  You might be eligible for enrollment in Medicare if you’re 65 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident living in the country for at least five years. People who are under 65 years old can also enroll in Medicare if they have qualifying disabilities or end-stage renal disease.  Unlike Medicaid, you don’t have to meet low-income requirements to be eligible for enrollment in…

If you have Original Medicare and need some additional coverage to help lower your out-of-pocket costs, a Medigap plan might be a solution. In the United States today, over 14.5 million Medicare beneficiaries get additional coverage from a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan. These plans are sold by private insurance companies and are available to purchase by people who are enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B and meet the criteria. If you have a Medigap plan, your Medicare insurance remains your primary payer….

Autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis affect millions of people in the United States, many of whom are over the age of 65.  Symptoms of these autoimmune diseases can be quite uncomfortable and even debilitating. Joint pain, inflammation, severe itching, inflamed and tender skin, as well as diarrhea and cramping are just a few common issues that people with these conditions must live with unless they are treated. If you are diagnosed with one of these autoimmune diseases, your…

Pharmaceutical birth control has come a long way since 1960 when the first hormone-control contraceptive was introduced. Since then, many types of birth control medications have become available, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) have also become popular. More recently, medicines like Nexplanon (etonogestrel) have become the preferred choice for women who would rather not have to take a daily pill to prevent contraception. What is Nexplanon? Nexplanon is a birth control medication administered slowly over time via a rod implant. This implant is placed in a…

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, it means that you may have vision loss due to optic nerve damage. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, a slow-developing condition that causes peripheral vision loss initially, loss of central vision, and finally blindness if it isn’t treated. In the United States, approximately two million people have glaucoma. It’s more common in the over-65 age group and is the leading cause of blindness for African Americans.  You might be at a higher risk for getting…

Kidney failure is also known as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When you reach this stage of chronic kidney disease, the condition is irreversible, but having dialysis or getting a kidney transplant can extend your life for years. Medicare benefits are available to help cover the cost of both treatments.  Treatment in a dialysis facility When you have ESRD and Part B coverage, you are eligible for three weekly kidney dialysis treatments. The dialysis center coordinates the services at home or…