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Medicare Part D plans help enrollees cover expenses for prescription drugs. They are sold by private insurance companies that work with Medicare. Anyone who is already enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) can enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan that’s available in your service area.   Because Part D plans are sold by private companies, the drugs they cover and plan costs can change from year to year. If you’re already enrolled in Part D, or may  be…

Ovarian cancer can affect women of all ages, but you may be surprised to learn that ovarian cancer is most prevalent in older women. According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the median age for diagnosis of ovarian cancer is 63. Additionally, the American Cancer Society points out that ovarian cancer is most often found in women who are post-menopause. These statistics indicate that most older women will want to have regular ovarian cancer screenings completed according to a schedule recommended by their doctors. Screening…

For many seniors, allergies are a mild annoyance that, at worst, require an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication to keep symptoms at bay. For others, however, allergies can lead to breathing difficulties and a worsening of asthma. Others cause severe skin reactions that cause hives. Seniors in the latter group are sometimes diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), an allergic condition in which the development of hives has no known cause. What causes severe allergic reactions related to asthma? Allergic reactions that trigger asthma in seniors…

Original Medicare insurance is available to seniors in the United States age 65 and over as well as some disabled individuals under 65. When you become eligible for Medicare benefits, you select coverage options from among the different plans offered in your state. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ultimately governs the Medicare insurance program, individual states can also regulate insurance products sold within their borders. You typically have a seven-month period, known as your Initial Enrollment Period, in which to sign…

The nervous system is an incredible feat of engineering as the average human body contains around 37 miles of nerves. Virtually every part of your body is connected through your nervous system. All of the nerves in your body connect with your brain through your spinal cord, and it’s this pathway that controls everything from sensation to muscle movement. Nerve conditions can affect anyone, but seniors often find themselves suffering from nerve problems more frequently compared to younger individuals. With time, various health conditions like…

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive and fatal disease that affects nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord, and it eventually leads to the loss of muscle control.  In the United States, there are about 20,000 people living with ALS, and 5000 new diagnoses every year. ALS typically occurs when a person is between 40 and 70 years old, but the average age when symptoms begin is 55.  Not all people with ALS experience the same symptoms because the disease affects different nerve…

If you’re a senior with diabetes, you know how important it is to monitor your blood glucose levels throughout the day. Although continuous glucose monitoring devices may be convenient, they aren’t for everyone. Many seniors opt to use traditional test strips instead. Test strips are discreet and can be transported easily, and they are available from a variety of pharmacies and websites. Will your Medicare benefits cover the cost of diabetic test strips? Medicare benefits available under Original Medicare are designed to help pay for…

The first successful kidney transplant was carried out in 1954, and since then, kidney transplants have become the most commonly performed transplant procedure in the United States. Although any type of transplant operation carries risks, modern medicine has nearly perfected the art of renal transplantation. Seniors who undergo kidney transplants have high five-year survival rates. Considerations for kidney transplantation Despite transplant operations being performed more safely than ever, there are still considerations for both seniors and doctors before a kidney transplant takes place. Your overall…

The initial 1965 Medicare program offered health insurance to older adults, primarily to protect retirees no longer eligible for employment-sponsored medical insurance plans. The focus at that time was the high cost of hospital inpatient care, giving rise to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). The Medicare program automatically enrolled eligible beneficiaries in Part A, offering Part B (medical insurance) as optional coverage for outpatient services like doctor visits. In 1997, Part C, later named Medicare Advantage, emerged as the Medicare managed-care model, integrating Part A…

Original Medicare is made up of different parts that address coverage. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. In addition to inpatient hospital care, Part A helps defray your costs as an inpatient in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for short-term stays. Part A benefits also include hospice care and some home healthcare services. Medicare benefits are limited to physician-ordered, medically necessary services and supplies. Inpatient hospital benefits include services and supplies directly tied to your treatment, including a semi-private room,…