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Tuesday, we presented to a Senior Center. Director: Content is so important for the work we do. I need it in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer. Carol: People want more information. Jim: Social workers already have clients. There is a 24/7 helpline. @alzassociation

 

Medicare Advantage is a newer approach to organizing Medicare benefits for seniors and other eligible individuals. Also known as Medicare Part C, these plans combine all coverage normally included under Original Medicare Parts A and B in a single monthly premium. Unlike Original Medicare, private insurance companies issue Part C plans and have agreed to meet all of the same coverage minimums of Medicare, except for hospice care, which Part A continues to cover. In addition to these minimums, many Part C plans also include prescription coverage, along with some extras Medicare doesn’t typically cover, such as dental, hearing and vision benefits. Many Medicare Advantage plans also have annual out-of-pocket limits, which Original Medicare does not.

Because Part C benefits are generally more expensive than Original Medicare, seniors who participate in these plans rarely need a traditional Medicare supplement, which reduces what seniors pay for health insurance every month. Issuers can organize Medicare Advantage plans like any other private insurance policy, with managed care packages with their own rules about referrals, network providers and specialist visits. The greater flexibility and potential cost savings make Part C plans attractive to many New York seniors, where over 1.5 million of the 3.6 million Medicare-eligible seniors choose this health coverage path, based on data from 2020. The 41% of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries covered by a Part C plan comes very close to the national average of 42%.

This guide to Medicare Advantage plans in New York state includes information about the plans available, what benefits they offer and who is eligible for coverage. It also provides helpful information about how to apply for Medicare Advantage in New York.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
Multiple insurance companies offer a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in New York. As a result, Medicare-eligible seniors have substantial choices when shopping for a plan. The table below lists the 10 most popular Medicare Advantage plans available in the Empire State, as judged by their enrollment figures. Because most Part C providers offer more than one plan, the list shows their rates as a range rather than a single average figure. The list also includes the number of current enrollees as of April 2022. For up-to-date information about the number of people enrolled in each plan, refer to the figures provided through Medicare.gov.

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

UnitedHealthcare

391,715

3.5

$0

$84

HMO, PPO

Healthfirst Medicare Plan

227,400

4

$0

$42

HMO

Aetna Medicare

209,363

3.5

$0

$99

HMO, PPO

Excellus Health Plan, Inc

155,026

4.5

$33

$217

HMO, PPO

Wellcare

144,245

3.5

$0

$156

HMO, PPO, PFFS

Humana

114,690

4

$0

$40

HMO, PPO

EmblemHealth Medicare HMO

107,658

3

$34

$261

HMO

Empire BlueCross BlueShield

77,122

3

$16

$105

HMO, PPO

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New Yo

67,870

4.5

$26

$205

HMO, PPO

Independent Health

65,030

5

$65

$225

HMO, PPO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in New York
It’s important to understand how a Medicare Advantage plan works before enrolling. The companies offering plans typically organize their packages into a few different structures to deliver care. These include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and special needs plans (SNPs). Each plan has its own rules about specialist care, condition-specific treatment and whether or not enrollees need to pick a primary care physician. The four most common plans are listed below.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic
What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in New York
Medicare Advantage plans must include all of the same benefits that Original Medicare Parts A and B usually include, except for hospice care, which remains a Part A benefit. Services included in all Part C plans include screenings, lab tests, X-rays ordered by a doctor and the care provided during a stay in the hospital. Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer coverage for services that go beyond Original Medicare. This may include vision, dental and assistance with getting hearing aids.

 

Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in New York
To qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan, seniors must already be eligible for Original Medicare Parts A and B, as well as meet all of the other eligibility requirements for Medicare participation. It is unnecessary to have a Part D prescription drug plan to sign up for Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage providers are not normally allowed to charge extra or deny coverage for applicants with preexisting conditions, though it is important to apply within one of the designated open enrollment windows to preserve this advantage. Medicare may decline or charge a special penalty rate for applications made outside of the enrollment windows.

Read over the list below for information about open enrollment periods and when applicants in New York are allowed to make changes to their Medicare Advantage plan coverage.

Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.
Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in New York
Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan
Download PDF

 

State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources
Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program
The Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) helps seniors navigate New York’s many medical insurance options. The program employs more than 500 counselors in offices throughout the state, who work directly with Medicare beneficiaries or individuals who are eligible to apply for state programs. These trained representatives provide information and education about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, prescription drug plans and other health insurance options. Counselors can answer questions about coverage, give access to CMS and help seniors resolve complaints with insurers. Counseling is available in person at county offices or via telephone through a toll-free hotline. The program also offers helpful online resources, including the HIICAP Notebook, where seniors can access additional information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-701-0501
To access HIICAP’s toll-free benefits hotline, call 1-800-701-0501. At the prompt, callers must state their county of residence so their inquiry can be directed to the appropriate Area Agency on Aging office or a participating community organization.

Community Health Advocates
Community Health Advocates (CHA) provides confidential one-on-one counseling free of charge to help New Yorkers understand their health insurance options and choose the plan that’s right for their unique medical needs. CHA gives community presentations designed to guide consumers through the complexity of the health care system. The presentations focus on a variety of health care topics and serve to educate individuals on insurance options and how changes in health care laws may affect individuals in the state. The program’s outreach services help high-need communities and offer help in more than 170 languages.

CONTACT INFO
1-888-614-5400
New York State residents can connect with CHA through its centralized helpline by dialing 1-888-614-5400 during weekdays from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Seniors can also schedule a call by filling out the online form. A list of CHA affiliated organizations with staff who are qualified to assist consumers with health insurance questions and enrollment issues can be found online at CHA’s website.

Visit Website
New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau
The New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau provides information and assistance to help New Yorkers connect with public and private insurers so they can get affordable medical coverage regardless of age. The bureau educates consumers about their health care rights under the Managed Care Bill of Rights and has outreach programs that serve high-need communities. Through the bureau’s toll-free helpline, consumers can connect with trained intake specialists and advocates who can help individuals understand available benefits and how to secure coverage. The hotline also helps consumers resolve complaints concerning health plan denials, wrongful practices and prescription drug coverage.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-428-9071
Consumers can speak with a trained advocate or intake specialist at the New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau through its toll-free helpline by dialing 1-800-428-9071. Additional information, including tips and brochures, is available through the Health Care Bureau’s website.

Visit Website
Local Medicare Advantage Resources
NYC Health
NYC Health provides in-person assistance at no cost to seniors who need help navigating health care enrollment and coverage-related issues. Certified health insurance enrollment counselors are available at locations in all five boroughs to help consumers explore plan options that are available to them. The counselors can also assist with complex enrollment or the renewal process for public and private insurance, including Medicare Advantage. NYC Health can help local immigrants secure quality health care regardless of their immigration status, and the agency provides assistance in a multitude of languages. Telephone enrollment appointments are also available.

CONTACT INFO
New Yorkers aged 65 and older who need help with health care enrollment can find a counselor in their borough of residence by searching the NYC Health Map. They can also set up an in-person or telephone appointment by calling 311 or texting “CoveredNYC” to 877-877. A list of locations broken down by borough is also available by visiting NYC Health’s website.

Visit Website
New York StateWide Senior Action Council
New York StateWide Senior Action Council is a group that provides health care advocacy and support to New York elders. The organization runs a confidential health and prescription medication coverage helpline, where certified counselors provide information on Medicare Advantage benefits and prescription drug coverage, answer consumer questions and assist with plan enrollment free of charge. New York StateWide Senior Action Council also connects seniors with essential resources at the local, state and federal levels. The council has offices throughout the state and hosts regional chapter meetings, presentations focusing on senior-friendly topics and telephone teach-ins on various subjects. It also sponsors a Senior Medicare Patrol, which empowers seniors and their families to detect, prevent and report potential Medicare fraud.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-333-4374
New York StateWide Senior Action Council’s Medicare and prescription drug coverage hotline is available free of cost by calling 1-800-333-4374. Seniors can also connect with a certified counselor by emailing info@nysenior.org. To find out more information on chapters and events, interested parties should visit the regional section of StateWide’s website.

Visit Website
Email
Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA)
The Jewish Association Serving the Aging is a nonprofit organization that provides a multitude of no-cost services for seniors of all races and religions residing in Long Island and New York City’s five boroughs. JASA’s Sally and Henry Pearce Help Center employs bilingual social workers trained to conduct comprehensive assessments to determine an individual’s health care needs and eligibility. Representatives can also help seniors navigate the health care enrollment process and secure benefits under programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

CONTACT INFO
212-273-5272
Regardless of religion, race or economic background, seniors can connect with trained social workers through JASA’s bilingual Sally and Henry Pearce Help Center by calling 212-273-5272 or filling out a brief online form. Seniors or their family members who are looking for more information on Medicare and other health care benefits can search for association locations throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Long Island by visiting JASA’s website.

Image Source: Pexels

Trying to balance your work, social and family responsibilities each day can be exhausting. And while running behind these responsibilities, finding time for yourself can seem impossible. But, taking ample rest, eating healthy, and staying active is the bare minimum you should strive for, as these will keep stress at bay and give you the energy to tackle what life throws at you daily. In this article by Health Care New York, we’ve compiled five self-care strategies that can be easily incorporated into your hectic schedule.

• Sleep Early

As the CDC reports, adults require at least 7 hours of sleep each night. But along with the duration, the time you sleep is important as well. Our circadian rhythm, i.e., the body clock functions best when it’s in sync with the timings of natural light. Hence, you should plan to go to bed around 9-10 pm and wake up by 6 am.

Not only will proper sleep improve energy levels and mental sharpness during the day, but waking up early will provide you a head start over others and some much-needed alone time in a household when others aren’t early risers.

• Drink Plenty of Water

Do you commonly feel tired throughout the workday? It could be due to the simple fact that you don’t drink enough water. Research shows that 3-4% dehydration can reduce productivity levels by up to 25%. The recommended daily intake of fluids for men is 3.7 liters, while for women, it’s 2.7 liters.

One of the simplest ways to keep track of your intake is to buy a water bottle and consistently drink from it every hour. If it is a 1L bottle, you should ideally fill it 3-4 times to reach the recommended limit.

• Include Physical Activity

Whether it be at home or in the workplace, the convenience brought on by technology has made a living a sedentary lifestyle the norm. Between sitting for prolonged periods at the office and sleeping at night, we now spend the majority of our time in inactive positions. Hence it comes as no surprise that instances of neck, back, and joint pains, even in younger adults, are higher than before. Other common occurrences include weight gain, fatigue, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

If you consider your schedule too packed to make time for the gym, there are still various ways to remain active:

• Consider purchasing a bicycle to commute to work

• Make a conscious choice to take the stairs rather than elevators at work

• Make time for a brief walk around your neighborhood every morning or evening

• Review Your Eating Choices

What you eat has a direct impact on how you feel. If you stay away from donuts and pizza at work but come home and munch on other carb-laden snacks such as cookies, packaged snacks, etc., you’re not doing yourself any favors. A defining characteristic of these foods is the spike in energy that they provide shortly after consumption due to an increase in your blood sugar levels. But when these levels come down naturally, so do your mood, energy, and productivity levels.

Instead, make the switch to a healthy meal and snack choices, which include products made from whole grains, fruits and vegetables of all colors, and fermented foods which are rich in probiotics.

• Tackle Work-Related Stress

There is nothing more stressful than feeling stuck in a job that provides you with no sense of fulfillment. While a good salary can help push on for the short term, in the long term, you’re bound to want a change. Currently, workers have numerous options at their disposal when it comes to making a career change, from making the switch to freelancing to starting their own online business.

Additionally, one can consider completing a professional development course to learn in-demand skills and make the switch to a better role. For those in the healthcare industry, here’s an example of an online medical coding course.

Making small lifestyle changes can help seamlessly integrate self-care into your daily routine. But when it comes to making a career switch, a new accreditation such as a medical coding course will help to accelerate the process and land a new role that you enjoy.

In the good old days of the 70s, where you were trashing everything, now you have to educate and inform about what is trash, and what is not, where hard plastics go or fit in the recycling world.
If you leave in Manhattan within its five boroughs always call 311 it’s kinda hotline for whatever information one may need. If you are a computer wiz, well there are several websites to go to.

Below you will find your wave:

• nyc.gov/recycle
• nyc.gov/SanitationMaterials
• nyc.gov/safedisposal
• nyc.gov/CFCRecovery – this site is for ac, refrigerators, and appliances with chlorofluorocarbons
• nyc.gov/compost
• nyc.gov/donate
• nyc.gov/ecycle
• nyc.gov/refashion (this one is for me)
• nyc.gov/ZeroWasteTraining
• nyc.gov/HowtoGetRidOf
• nyc.gov/dsnynews

The site is very easy to navigate, I try myself, you can trash it after you learn a little bit more, and one more reminder, Salvation army also has a pick phone number where you can call and schedule a pickup time, which usually is Wednesdays. Salvation Army is not run by NYC.gov, just thought to share info.

My mother was adopted by her aunt(the family connection comes from the fact that the aunt who adopt my mother was married to my mother’s biological uncle. So the woman who I grew up calling and knowing as grandma is my second aunt. My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and boy let me tell you how hard was, end of 70’s early 80’s we did not know what we were doing, for how long, or how well we were doing. We were just doing. It was a nightmare. Everything that could, went wrong, my grandma, was a runner, so we need to be paid strict attention to doors, and because she did not have balance, she became prone to fall down, I remember one occasion when I was going out to bike with my friends and I saw her on the floor, I scream for help and off she went to be hospitalized.

Enduring months at a time, in the hospital, and every day we used to go to visit her. Painful and horrifying was to see her sleeping away. My mom did not have any other siblings so no sharing duties or anything else, but my grandma’s siblings used to come every Wednesday to talk to her and cheer her up giving my mom a break, but my grandma, just wasn’t there, my father took upon himself to cut her toenails, I work as her aid, believe or not waking up in the middle of the night to make sure she wasn’t gone, and changing her legs bandages because the water in her body was liking through her skin calves.

Her final hospitalization was her last everything. Alzheimer’s had her after all. Financially speaking no we would not have the means to have her transfer to a nursing home, and quite frankly back in those days, in Brazil people who went to nursing homes were people dean crazy. Now that I worked in the healthcare field for the last 15 years, when a family says they can’t afford, it or they have to talk with other family members to make a pool, I know in my heart they are financially stranded. For all the families out there who have a loved one in need of in-home care and don’t have the means to hire a caregiver I understand.

But I also say whoever needs medical professional help they are better off at home. With a part-time aid and some family members covering the other end. All the family needs to do is come together and pool their resources, have one leader to set schedules, and explain what needs to be done, not only financially but emotionally as well.
Lost for Alzheimer’s we lost big, and continue to lose as long as the disease can’t be treated or have definitive answers. For all the families out there who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s and don’t have the means to hire a caregiver I understand.

Today I received an email in my business email account saying that my online bank access was blocked due to suspicious activities. Nothing specifying what was suspicious, and of course, one has your lights flashing because I did withdraw from my account yesterday, but what had my lights flashing was the fact that I do have an account with the mentioning bank, but the emails don’t go to the email I received.
So that propelled me to think about why we click on those pesky links and infect our computers with viruses and oftentimes lose our minds and our hard-earned money to scammers? Answer. CURIOSITY

I know that my bank account is not linked with that email account, so why do I have to open the email? Because scammers will count on me to be CURIOS. I want to know why, how, and when, so I open the pesky email. It’s a scam, and the scammers pry on our own curiosity. You live in a building. The buzzer goes off, and you open the downstairs door without asking who it is? And to ice the cake, you open your own apartment door and await in the hallway; to be a mug, God knows what more. If I didn’t order anything to be delivered or expect any visitors, why do I have to open the door? CURIOSITY.

A message from Chase.com would not look like these Chase (otp.ch4023@lcomaztrabels.com) fake.
A real email from Chase.com looks like no.reply.alerts@chase.com, not fake.

I again urge all of us to be alert and related to the fake emails. Just hover your browser over the sender, and if something appears like the fake chase, don’t open delete, or block the sender.
My job is to protect myself first.

On June/5/2022, by registration, only the event will run from 10 am to 4 pm @ Columbia University/ Teachers College, W 120 St between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue.
You can finally take your stuff to be safely disposed of. Do you know when you look at your apartment and or backyard and come to the conclusion that its time? Or if your loved one is living in a condition where it is no longer safe to be like it is, then it’s time to assist.

Here are a few more links of information. If you are not sure whether the item is electronic or an appliance, there is a website for that; you need more details because you are still feeling unsure; below, you will find some more links. I try all of them, so go ahead and check them out also. I will bring these reminders on our social media pages @ hhcagency/2011. You can also call 311.

on.nyc.gov/safe-mn | Register Here
nyc.gov/electronics
nyc.gov/safedisposal
Thermostats and Thermometers go to thermostat-recycle.org

At some point during the year, many of us look forward to the possibility of receiving a surprise cash windfall after submitting our tax returns. And while it may be tempting to want to splash out on something we’ve been eyeing for a while, here’s why we should rather be putting our tax refunds towards investments and savings that will benefit us in the long run,‌ ‌courtesy‌ ‌of‌ Health Care New York.

Use it for emergency funding

Life is unpredictable – we know that much. And if we haven’t been prioritizing our health as much as we ought to, then this could result in health issues down the line. Certainly, medical bills are expensive, especially if you don’t have spare cash lying around to cover these costs. This, therefore, could be the ideal time to think about putting money aside from your tax refund to go towards these unplanned, often unanticipated expenses.

Looking to the future

In this case, it would be your child’s future if you weren’t able to financially provide for them anymore due to a job loss or health reasons, for example. Again, you could start setting aside money from your tax refund to go towards a 529 plan that will accumulate over the years to eventually be a nice nest egg for your child should they wish to pursue a tertiary education one day.

Invest in a holiday timeshare

Perhaps, you feel overworked lately and your mental and physical health is taking a strain from it. Maybe you’ve decided that a holiday once a year is just not enough to recharge your batteries. In this instance, you could always purchase a holiday timeshare with some of your tax refunds so that you can make going away more often a regular occurrence.

Switching careers

Better yet, maybe you’ve decided your current working arrangements no longer suit what you’re looking to get out of a job. Then you could use some of the cash you’re expecting towards starting a business you’ve only ever dreamed about. So, putting money towards the initial start-up capital to get your business going is sure to be a sound investment that’s likely to be fruitful for many years to come.

Spoil yourself a little

Perhaps, it’s high time you just did something for yourself for a change. For example, if you’ve been longing for a day trip to New York, now could be your chance to spoil yourself a little. Maybe it’s been on your bucket list to climb the Statue of Liberty for some time, so why not treat yourself a bit with some of your tax by taking a trip there?

Or maybe you want to surprise your significant other with ballgame tickets to watch their favorite team. Or, if you just want a special date night, a NY Yankees game can be pretty romantic. You could get discounts on your tickets if you book with TickPick for example, and you can even choose a date, price, and seat rating that would suit you best. Plus, they even offer a 360-degree virtual tour of the view from where you’re likely to be sitting so that you know what to expect.

In conclusion, while saving can be hard to do, it is easy to look forward to when you know that your eagerly anticipated tax refund will probably lead to many surprises, (not just one or a few) down the line.

Image via Pexels

We all are at risk, but the more we know we are better off, understanding the whys and why not is what will help, so take steps to prevent falls. For all caregivers out there, always review and evolve within the patient, sometimes you may do something that is not on the books and it is a great hint, to share your ideas on our social media pages. Here I put together 13 ideas.

1. Exercise to get stronger, by being active helps to improve strength and balance.
2. Review your medication with your healthcare provider review all your medications.
3. Keep pathways clear, remove clutter from the home.
4. Have your vision check regularly.
5. Wear well-fitting shoes these are very important not to tie very strong or very loose your sneaker and whenever you can use the velcrons type (stay away from sleepers).
6. Remove throw rugs and eliminate slippery flooring.
7. Make sure all around the home you have adequate lighting, if you are to wake in the middle of the night to go bathroom have a well-light hallway with night lights.
8. In your bathroom, if you have a tube or stall have a crab bar and a shower chair, also I would put in a shower mat to assist.
9. In the kitchen avoid area rugs, they can catch in your shoes and make your trip and fall if you have a low cabinet (under the sink) have a stool to sit on instead to bend.
10. If your home is a second store consider using the office as your bedroom avoiding going up the stairs.
11. Carry your phone with you, sometimes you may lock yourself outside the house (done that a few times myself) and when you are in the bathroom or kitchen with slippery floors.
12. These tips may be seen as a bit controversial when I used to work with families and their loved ones at home, when I had to go down to the basement to do some laundry, I request and was granted permission for a baby monitor to assist me within monitoring my patient in case I had to run to the situation.
13. When drying or dressing sit down, never try to hurry, and always have devices that can help you put on socks and shoes without bending forward.