Joan’s Boomer Blog

Medicare enrollment can be a confusing issue. Today I have a guest post to help you plan for Medicare Enrollment by Ross Blair is President and CEO of Plan Prescriber, Inc.

In 2011, a record 2.8 million Americans will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. If you’re a newcomer to Medicare in 2011 there is one piece of advice I recommend you take to heart: don’t wait until the last minute to start planning your Medicare enrollment.

Relax. You’re not locked into the same Medicare plan forever. You can change your Medicare Advantage coverage and prescription drug coverage once a year, and some Medicare supplement plans allow you to enroll at any time. If you take your time before your 65^th birthday, the decision-making process should be easier.

Learn the basics. Trying to understand Medicare can make anyone’s head spin. Medicare is a different type of health insurance plan than you may be used to, so before you get inundated with sales pitches and unsolicited advice, try to understand the basics.

There are three basic ways to cover yourself: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), with a Part D prescription drug plan; Medicare Advantage Plan, which can include vision, dental and prescription drug coverage; and a Medicare Supplement plan which fills certain gaps in Original Medicare.

Figure out what you can afford. It sounds simple, but if you haven’t estimated what your retirement income will be, start doing that math before you enroll in Medicare.

Calculate your income after Social Security benefits, pensions, IRA and 401(k) savings, etc. Then, create a list of monthly expenses including rent, utilities and food, as well as other things like your prescription drug costs. Subtract your expenses from your income to develop a good sense of what you can afford to spend on Medicare on a monthly basis.

Next, look at your savings and think about what kind of a Medicare deductible you can afford if you have a large medical expense.  Once you know what you can afford to pay each month for premiums and prescription drugs, as well as what type of annual deductible you could afford if you have an unexpected illness or injury, you’re ready to start comparing plans.

Consider your health when making decisions. Your health status will help determine the type of Medicare coverage that best suits your needs. Talk to your doctor about the types of illnesses you’re at risk for later in life, based on your current health status and family history.

Some Medicare Supplement plans don’t allow you to enroll later in life, and those that do may cost you more money. So, you want choose a plan that will fit your budget today, and in 15 years. And, if you take prescription drugs use a drug comparison tool, like PlanPrescriber.com, to help you pick a plan that covers your drugs at the lowest possible cost.

Consider your travel plans. Whether you travel internationally or to different states, it’s important to understand the circumstances under which you’ll be covered. There are Medicare supplement plans that provide travel emergency health care coverage when you’re in foreign countries. If you migrate to another state for several months each year, look for Medicare plans that will cover you outside of designated networks. However, original Medicare and most Medicare supplement plans are good in any location in the United States.

Question brand loyalty. Some Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage plans come from companies you’ve heard of. If there is a brand you trust, investigate their coverage and consider it as an option. But, price is also an important factor. Don’t pay more for the exact same coverage, because you like the name of the insurer.

All Medicare supplement plans are required to offer the same benefits, but the costs can vary widely. So a Medicare supplement K plan from one insurer must – by law – cover the same services as a Medicare supplement K plan from another insurer in your area. Again, using a good online comparison tool helps you compare plans and prices side-by-side so you can make an informed decision.

Ask for help. Medicare is complex, but there are a number of resources available online, by phone and in person. In addition to online sites, you can contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance. SHIPs receive federal funding to provide free local health insurance counseling to people with Medicare. Also, the federal government has created 1-800-MEDICARE to provide information about Medicare coverage and costs, as well as health plan options.

Giving yourself the time to research and consider your Medicare coverage options can pay off.

Ross Blair is President and CEO of Plan Prescriber, Inc. (www.PlanPrescriber.com <http://www.PlanPrescriber.com>), a leading provider of comparison tools and educational materials for Medicare-related insurance products.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information provided by PlanPrescriber.

Ever since I was told I have “thinning of the bones,” I pay special attention to any articles I see on

Yoga for Healthy Bones

how to prevent or reverse osteoporosis. Yoga Journal had a great article this month about yoga and osteoporosis. While more yoga is always better than less, the article says only 10 minutes a day doing certain yoga poses will help prevent osteoporosis. A combination of more yoga and a plant based diet can help reverse osteoporosis and rebuild bone density.

Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass within 5-7 years after menopause so preventing osteoporosis, which leads to hip fractures and brittle bones later in life, is something to be taken seriously. Although men can also get osteoporosis, 80% of those who have it are women and half of all women will suffer an osteoporosis-related hip fracture after age 50, according to author Catherine Guthrie.

Diet and exercise are natural means to prevent, or even reverse, osteoporosis and yoga is one of the best exercises because it is a weight-bearing exercise which is also gentle on the joints.

The poses mentioned for osteoporosis in the article were:

• Tree Pose
• Chair Pose
• Cobra Pose
• Bridge Pose
• Warrior One
• Warrior Two
• Alternate arm and leg lifts-get on hands and knees, lift and extend left arm and right leg and then right arm and left leg.

Visit Yoga Journal online for a description of the poses which help prevent and reverse osteoporosis.

If you’ve never done yoga before, a good introductory class is helpful so you learn the correct way to do the postures. Your local YMCA or senior center will probably have several classes to choose from. Once you’ve worked with an instructor or watched some yoga videos, you can easily set up a home practice to help you build your bones.

Don’t forget too that diet is the other part of preventing osteoporosis. A plant based diet of fresh fruits and veggies greatly contributes to bone health because these foods are low acid type foods. High acid forming, high protein foods, such as meat and dairy products, actually cause calcium to be leached from the bones.

If you’re a woman nearing or post-menopause, maintaining your bone mass should be one of the priorities in your health program. If you’re a man who has a woman in his life, take up yoga and improve your diet to inspire her. It’s more fun if both of you are committed to making these healthy changes, plus yoga benefits men too by improving balance and flexibility. In my yoga class at the Y, there are several men who are regulars and a couple of them are probably in their 70’s.

I’ve been practicing yoga for over 2 years now, starting when I was 58, so it’s never too late to begin. I’ve noticed more flexibility, less pain from stiff joints, better balance and just a feeling of being better in tune with my body. Yoga also is great for stress and finding that feeling of calmness that can make it easier to get through your day.

If you’d like more information, read more about osteoporosis and how yoga can help.