fbpx
Connect with us
SAVE UP TO 80% OFF!

Health

La inscripción abierta de Medicare finaliza el 7 de diciembre: Comparar opciones de cobertura podría ahorrarle dinero

Published

on

(Family Features) Si está inscrito en Medicare, es importante recordar que la Inscripción Abierta de Medicare es hasta el 7 de diciembre de cada año. Es el momento para que las personas con Medicare comparen sus opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados para el próximo año.

Es importante comparar sus opciones porque los planes pueden cambiar cada año; incluso su elección actual puede estar cambiando. Sus necesidades de salud también pueden cambiar. Al comparar todas sus opciones, podría ahorrar dinero, encontrar una opción de cobertura que se adapte mejor a sus necesidades, o ambas cosas.

Cómo comparar opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados
La fuente oficial de información sobre Medicare y la Inscripción Abierta es Es.Medicare.gov. Es posible que vea información de inscripción de varias compañías de seguros y otras fuentes. Comience en Es.Medicare.gov para obtener información imparcial y encontrar el tipo de cobertura que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades.

Comparar opciones de cobertura médica y de medicamentos recetados es fácil en Es.Medicare.gov. Puede ingresar la lista de medicamentos que está tomando y realizar una comparación en paralelo de la cobertura del plan, los costos y el nivel de calidad. Si está satisfecho con su elección actual, no tiene que hacer nada. Si elige una nueva opción para 2024, podrá inscribirse allí mismo.

Antes de inscribirse en un plan, considere lo siguiente:

  • Verifique si sus proveedores de atención médica están en la red de un plan.
  • Verifique si sus recetas médicas están incluidas en el formulario de un plan y si el plan trabaja con su farmacia.
  • Consulte el número de estrellas de su plan en Es.Medicare.gov para ver su desempeño en calidad, servicio al cliente y más.
  • Recuerde que es posible que las primas mensuales bajas no siempre sean el mejor valor general para sus necesidades específicas.
  • Revise los costos totales estimados de un plan para usted, incluya el deducible y otros costos de bolsillo.
  • Verifique si los planes Medicare Advantage ofrecen beneficios adicionales, como cobertura de visión, audición o dental, si necesita estos servicios.
  • Recuerde que es posible que necesite una autorización previa para algunos servicios de los planes Medicare Advantage.

Ahorro en costos de vacunas, insulina y medicamentos
Las mejoras al programa de Medicare ofrecen ahorros y un mejor acceso a tratamientos asequibles gracias a la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación.

  • Insulina: Si tiene Medicare y usa insulina, no pagará más de $35 por el suministro mensual de cada insulina cubierta. Esto incluye a las personas que tienen cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare Parte D y todas las insulinas cubiertas por la Parte B.
  • Vacunas: Las personas con cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare no pagarán nada de su bolsillo por las vacunas para adultos, incluida la vacuna contra el herpes zóster, recomendadas por el Comité Asesor sobre Prácticas de Inmunización de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades.
  • Ahorros en costos de medicamentos: En 2024, las personas inscritas en la Parte D que tienen costos de medicamentos verán un alivio en estos gastos. Cuando lleguen a cierta cantidad de pagos directos de bolsillo (lo que llamamos la fase catastrófica), ya no tendrán costos compartidos ni copagos en las farmacias.  

Medicare puede ayudar
Para comparar opciones y encontrar la mejor cobertura que se ajuste a sus necesidades:

  • Visite Es.Medicare.gov y realice comparaciones de costos y cobertura en paralelo.
  • Llame al 1-800-MEDICARE. La ayuda está disponible las 24 horas del día, incluidos los fines de semana.
  • Acceda a asesoramiento personalizado sobre seguros médicos en su comunidad sin costo, disponible en su Programa Estatal de Asistencia sobre Seguros Médicos (State Health Insurance Assistance Program, SHIP por sus siglas en inglés). Visite shiphelp.org (enlace en inglés) o llame al 1-800-MEDICARE para conocer las ubicaciones cercanas a usted.

Opciones de Medicare
Hay dos formas principales de obtener cobertura de Medicare: Medicare Original y Medicare Advantage (planes aprobados por Medicare de empresas privadas). Existen diferencias entre los dos que es importante comprender al revisar sus opciones de cobertura.

  • Con Medicare Original usted obtiene atención médica a través de las Partes A y B de Medicare. Puede inscribirse en un plan de medicamentos separado para obtener la cobertura de medicamentos de Medicare (también llamada Parte D). Y puede visitar a cualquier médico que acepte Medicare en cualquier lugar de los EE. UU.
  • Medicare Advantage es una alternativa que generalmente combina su cobertura de salud y medicamentos en un solo plan. Algunos planes pueden ofrecer beneficios adicionales que Medicare Original no cubre, como ciertos servicios dentales, de visión y de audición. En muchos casos, solo puede utilizar médicos que estén en la red del plan.

Si es nuevo en Medicare o necesita revisar las formas en que puede obtener su cobertura de Medicare, visite Es.Medicare.gov y haga clic en “Comenzar con Medicare”.

Ayuda adicional con los costos de medicamentos recetados
Si tiene dificultades con los costos de los medicamentos recetados, Ayuda Adicional es un programa de Medicare que puede ayudarlo a pagar las primas, los deducibles, el coseguro y otros costos de su cobertura de medicamentos (Parte D). Si gana menos de $22,000 al año ($30,000 para parejas casadas), vale la pena presentar la solicitud. Visite  ssa.gov/es/medicare/part-d-extra-help o llame a la Administración del Seguro Social al 1-800-772-1213 para presentar la solicitud. El programa se ampliará para cubrir más costos de medicamentos para personas con recursos limitados en 2024. Las personas que califican para la Ayuda Adicional generalmente no pagarán más de $4.50 por cada medicamento genérico y $11.20 por cada medicamento de marca.

Información proporcionada por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos

Fotos cortesía de Getty Images
SOURCE:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Health

Study finds risk factors for severe COVID-19 cases in children

Published

on

UT Southwestern researchers show living in the Southern U.S., having preexisting conditions linked to more serious illness

Newswise — DALLAS – Nov. 21, 2023 – Children who had preexisting health problems or who lived in the Southern United States had a higher risk for severe health outcomes from acute COVID-19 infections, according to researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The results, reported in the journal Hospital Pediatrics that is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, also showed the importance of vaccinations in reducing the severity of illness for those who became infected.

“While receiving the COVID-19 vaccines did not mean that our little patients would not get sick from the virus, vaccines did protect them from more severe outcomes such as death and intensive care admissions. Protecting your children by immunizing them is a good thing, especially if your child has a preexisting condition, such as heart disease or asthma,” said one of the study’s authors, Christoph Lehmann, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and in the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, Director of the Clinical Informatics Center, and a member of the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern.

The national study analyzed records from 165,437 children age 18 and younger who tested positive for COVID-19 between January 2020 and January 2022. About 1.8% were hospitalized without complication, 1.8% were admitted to intensive care or needed intensive respiratory support, and 31 children died.

The researchers found that children in the Southern United States were more than three times as likely to have more severe complications compared with other areas of the country.

“It matters where you live,” Dr. Lehmann noted. “While we do not know what causes children in the South to have worse outcomes, our findings call for an exploration of possible causes – such as weather and climate, immunization rates, public health or government messaging, mandates, and closures.”

The study also found that among children under age 5, those younger than 2 years old were at the highest risk for severe outcomes. This finding contradicts initial anecdotal observations suggesting that infants were not as prone to severe disease with COVID-19 as they were from other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“While this wasn’t surprising to us – smaller airways are disproportionately affected by respiratory illness – it does mean that we have to be more vigilant when the little ones acquire COVID-19,” Dr. Lehmann added.

Finally, the study found that those with multiple chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease and lung disease, were more than twice as likely to have severe complications following COVID-19 infection, and the more chronic conditions they had, the higher the risk.

Other UTSW researchers who contributed to this study include lead author Robert W. Turer, M.D., Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine; first author and medical student Milan Ho, B.S.; Trish M. Perl, M.D., M.Sc., Professor of Internal Medicine; Zachary M. Most, M.D., M.Sc., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Bhaskar Thakur, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and a member of the O’Donnell School of Public Health; John J. Hanna, M.D., Assistant Instructor of Internal Medicine; Marlon I. Diaz, B.S., Sameh Saleh, M.D., Madison Pickering, M.S., and Richard J. Medford, M.D., all with the Clinical Informatics Center; medical student Julia A. Casazza, B.S.; and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Alexander P. Radunsky, Ph.D.

Dr. Lehmann holds the Willis C. Maddrey, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Clinical Science. Dr. Perl, a member of the O’Donnell School of Public Health, holds the H. Ben and Isabelle T. Decherd Chair in Internal Medicine in Honor of Henry M. Winans, Sr., M.D.

This study was funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (UL1 TR003163).

Related research

Public Perception of COVID-19 Vaccines Through Analysis of Twitter Content and Users

Association of Healthcare Access With Intensive Care Unit Utilization and Mortality in Patients of Hispanic Ethnicity Hospitalized With COVID-19

Early Crowdfunding Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study

What the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Has Reinforced: The Need for Accurate Data

Evaluating Short-Term Forecasting of COVID-19 Cases Among Different Epidemiological Models Under a Bayesian Framework

An “Infodemic”: Leveraging High-Volume Twitter Data to Understand Early Public Sentiment for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

About UT Southwestern Medical Center 

UT Southwestern, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty members have received six Nobel Prizes and include 26 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 20 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 3,100 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in more than 80 specialties to more than 120,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 5 million outpatient visits a year.

Journal Link: Hospital Pediatrics

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Continue Reading

Health

Family Caregivers are Filling the Gap

Published

on

More than 53 million Americans serve as “informal” caregivers filling critical roles that make independent living possible for people with disabilities.

MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES /EINPresswire.com/ — In the wake of a direct care worker shortage, more than 53 million Americans serve as “informal” caregivers filling critical roles that make independent living possible for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. However, family caregiving can take a financial, emotional, and physical toll on those performing the unpaid work. Below, we explore five opportunities to help family caregivers build sustainable and strong caregiving relationships.


Family caregivers are critical resources in the quest to promote independence and autonomy among people with disabilities, and they deserve all the support our communities can offer.”

— Steve Locke

Determine Whether Payment is Possible

In some cases, family caregivers can receive financial compensation for their caregiving. Medicaid’s Self-Directed Services program, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran-Directed Care program, certain Home and Community-Based Services programs, many long-term care insurance plans, and even some employers offer stipends to informal caregivers providing necessary care.

Make a Plan for Respite Care
Creating a respite care plan helps caregivers build in time on a regular basis to take a break from caregiving and pass their responsibilities on to a trustworthy provider. The AARP outlines the process for creating a plan, including identifying what you and your loved one need and who could provide support. Professional respite care resources are available through the Senior Corps, local Area Agency on Aging, and Elder Helpers.

Find Peer Support
Up to 40% of informal caregivers report that caregiving makes them feel alone, yet there are many others experiencing the same scenarios and connecting can help caregivers cope. Your local Center for Independent Living can connect you with caregiving support groups, the Area Agency on Aging can provide assistance, or even nonprofit or religious groups like Courage to Caregivers that link volunteer peer mentors with caregivers.

Ask for Help!
The digital age has brought a wealth of apps that make it easier for caregivers to communicate their needs and get other friends and family members on board to help. Whether you need alternative transportation to a medical appointment or would love a friend to drop off dinner a few days per month, apps like Carely, Caring Village, and LotsaHands provide tools to help caregivers coordinate caregiving responsibilities among family and friends.

Pay Attention to your Mental Health
Up to 4 in 10 caregivers report that they “never relax,” and one survey revealed that more than half of caregivers polled had experienced suicidal ideation during the COVID pandemic. Caregiving while experiencing this level of mental anguish is dangerous for both the caregiver and the patient. In cases like this, finding an alternate source of care at least part of the time is necessary. Individuals in crisis can call 988 for 24/7 mental health support and the Caregiver Action Network can provide a listening ear, resources, and assistance.

Family caregivers are critical resources in the quest to promote independence and autonomy among people with disabilities, and they deserve all the support our communities can offer. As organizations like MiSILC advocate for formal and informal caregivers at the highest levels, nonprofits and community resources can provide the services necessary for effective, sustainable caregiving. Learn more about our work at MiSILC.org.
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok

Continue Reading

Beverages

Stay Balanced this Holiday Season with Health-Ade Kombucha

Published

on


Celebrate the return of a seasonal favorite plus a new limited-edition collab

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Health-Ade, makers of delicious, bubbly beverages that support a happy and healthy gut, are celebrating feeling good from the inside out this holiday season. A perfect swap for alcohol or soda, Health-Ade Kombucha’s living probiotics help keep your gut in balance while enjoying the season’s festivities and indulging in your favorite holiday foods. 

To celebrate the season, Health-Ade Kombucha has launched its seasonal holiday flavor, Holiday Cheers, which expertly blends notes of ginger, vanilla, allspice, and cacao for the perfect sip to spread the cheer all season long. This winter staple is a perfect accompaniment for sipping by the fire, enjoying as a festive treat, or even as a delicious probiotic hostess gift for those holiday parties and celebrations. Every bottle of Health-Ade’s Holiday Cheers Kombucha will help you celebrate the seasonal flavors you love, while supporting a happy and healthy gut.

“Health-Ade is a delicious, easy way to support your gut health during the holiday season,” says Claire Chewning, Health-Ade’s Registered Dietitian Advisor. “Good nutrition is all about adding IN, not restricting unnecessarily. Adding in sources of fermented foods and probiotics, like kombucha, can increase the number of good bacteria in your gut. For many, this can help manage symptoms of bloating and other digestive discomforts. For another gut-happy practice, you can also consider swapping alcohol for a few fun Health-Ade Kombucha mocktails. Cheers to a delicious and nourished holiday season!”

Special for this season, Health-Ade has partnered with fellow Los Angeles-based brand Mar Mar to create a limited edition Holiday Minis candle set. The Mar Mar x Health-Ade Kombucha collaboration features three best-selling Mar Mar scents reimagined with a Health-Ade twist. Titled The Bold, The Rebel, and The Optimist these 2oz votives are wrapped in Health-Ade’s beloved and recognizable color schemes to make the perfect gift set for anyone on your list and a great companion to your Health-Ade Kombucha selection.

You can purchase the limited-edition candle set and Holiday Cheers flavor now on health-ade.com for yourself and all of the Health-Ade Kombucha lovers on your holiday gift list. The Mini Candle set retails for $60, or you can bundle with your favorite case of Health-Ade for a $10 discount. Holiday Cheers can also be found at select retailers nationwide, while supplies last.

About Health-Ade Kombucha
Health-Ade creates feel-good, bubbly beverages with gut health benefits so you can follow your gut and show the world what you’re made of. The brand got started in the Brentwood Farmers Market in 2012 selling its flagship kombucha drinks. Instantly gaining a cult following in Southern California, Health-Ade Kombucha rapidly expanded to sell nationwide in over 65,000 stores including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Safeway / Albertsons, Kroger, Publix, and Target. All Health-Ade products are naturally fermented with high-quality ingredients and are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, and each bottle of Health-Ade Kombucha exceeds the World Health Organization’s daily standard for probiotics.

SOURCE Health-Ade

Continue Reading

Trending