A new study has found that there may be a connection between hand-grip strength and someone’s heart health. Researchers studied nearly 140,000 adults ages 35 to 70 across 17 countries to test their grip-strength and monitor their general health for four years. For every 11-pound decrease in grip strength, the researchers found a 17 percent increased risk of cardiovascular death, a 7 percent increased risk in heart attack, and a 9 percent increased risk of stroke. While it was not clear whether strength training specifically improves cardiovascular health or just improves overall health, researchers recommend regular exercise, including strength training, for adults.
New Online Service for Replacement Medicare Cards !
The Social Security Administration introduced the expansion of online services available through its my Social Security portal available at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that Medicare beneficiaries can now obtain a replacement card if they have lost, damaged, or simply need to replace it online using a my Social Security account.
“I’m excited about this newest online feature to the agency’s my Social Security portal and the added convenience we’re providing Medicare beneficiaries,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said. “Any my Social Security account holder who misplaces their Medicare card will be able to request a replacement card using their online my Social Security account.”
Requesting a replacement card through my Social Security account is a convenient, cost-effective and secure way to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have a critical piece of identification available when required by medical providers as proof of Medicare coverage. Simply access your online my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and select the “Replacement Documents” tab. Then select “Mail my replacement Medicare card.” After you request a card, it will arrive in the mail in approximately 30 days.
my Social Security is a secure, online hub for doing business with Social Security, and more than 19 million people have created an a personal account. Current Social Security beneficiaries can manage their account—change an address, adjust direct deposit, obtain a benefit verification letter, or request a replacement SSA-1099. Account holders still in the workforce can verify their earnings, and obtain estimates of future benefits. In addition to those existing services, Medicare beneficiaries will now be able to request a replacement Medicare card without waiting for a replacement form in the mail.
For more information about my Social Security or to establish an account visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Dear Marci !
Dear Marci,
I turn 65 this December, and I’m anxious about enrolling in Medicare on time. I do not want to miss my first chance to enroll, because I heard that you pay penalties if you don’t enroll right away. What steps should I take to make sure I don’t make Medicare enrollment mistakes?
– Lara (Baton Rouge, LA)
Dear Lara,
The steps you should take to enroll in Medicare on time will differ depending upon whether or not you already collect Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65.
If you already receive Social Security when you turn 65, the federal government will automatically enroll you in Medicare. Your Medicare will start on the first of the month you turn 65, which is December. You do not need to sign up for Medicare.
On the other hand, if you do not receive Social Security when you turn 65, you must take action to apply for Medicare. To avoid higher costs down the line, you must enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months following your 65th birthday. For you, your IEP will span from September 2015 to March 2016, since your 65th birthday is in December. If you enroll in Medicare during this seven month period, you will avoidlate enrollment penalties and gaps in health insurance coverage.
The date your Medicare coverage begins depends on when you enroll during your IEP. For your coverage to begin as soon as possible, it is best to enroll in the first three months of your IEP (the three months before the month you turn 65). Your Medicare coverage will then go into effect starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If you enroll during the month you turn 65, your Medicare coverage will go into effect the following month. If you enroll during the fifth month of your IEP, your Medicare coverage begins two months after you enroll. If you enroll during the sixth or seventh month of your IEP, your coverage begins three months after you enroll.
If you enroll in Medicare at any point during your IEP, your enrollment will be considered timely. You will not face any late enrollment penalties. To enroll in Medicare, you can call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or you can visit your local Social Security office.
When you enroll in Medicare (either actively during your IEP or automatically), you receive Medicare Parts A and B. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A, but almost all people owe a premium for Part B.
Understand that you will have the option to turn down Part B, but you should use great caution before declining Part B coverage. You should only consider delaying Part B if you confirm two essential things. First, you must have coverage from your or your spouse’s currentemployer. If are insured by your own or your spouse’s current employer, you have special permission, called a Special Enrollment Period, to enroll in Part B later without risking higher costs and periods without coverage. Second, you must verify that your current employer coverage will pay the same amount for your care as it did before you qualified for Medicare. In other words, ensure that your employer coverage pays first on claims before Medicare pays. Insurance that pays first on claims is called primary coverage. You should always enroll in Medicare Part B right away if your employer coverage is not primary to Medicare (meaning it pays after Medicare on insurance claims). If Medicare is supposed to pay first and you fail to enroll, the employer plan may pay little to none of your health care costs.
Keep in mind that how your current employer coverage is affected by your Medicare eligibility largely depends on the size of the employer. If you have current employer coverage, talk to your employer to find out how yourcoverage works with Medicare. Verify this information with Social Security before making any final decisions about Part B coverage.
-Marci
Medicare Reminder !
Medicare covers many preventive services. As long as you meet basic eligibility standards, you have the right to receive these services no matter if you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare private health plan).
If you have Original Medicare you will have no coinsurance or deductible for certain preventive care services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force if you see a doctor or other health care provider who accepts assignment. Doctors who accept assignment cannot charge you more than the Medicare approved amount.
Although the preventive services itself may be free, you may be charged additional fees for certain services related to preventive care.
– You may have costs for some of these preventive services if your doctor makes a diagnosis during the service or does additional tests or procedures. Doctors do diagnostic tests and procedures when patients have distinct symptoms of a condition or a history of that condition. For example, if your doctor finds and removes a polyp during a colonoscopy, the colonoscopy is diagnostic and costs will apply. Also, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or to treat a new or existing problem, costs may apply.
– You may have to pay a facility fee depending on where you receive the service. For example, certain hospitals will often charge separate facilities fees when you are receiving a preventive service.
– You may be charged for a doctor’s visit if you meet with a physician before or after the service.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan will not be able to charge you for preventive care services that are free for people with Original Medicare as long as you see in-network providers. If you see providers that are not in your plan’s network, charges will typically apply.
Original Medicare still requires its normal deductible and/or a 20 percent coinsurance for some preventive services. Some of these services are glaucoma screenings, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas (to detect colon cancer), and digital rectal exams (to detect prostate cancer).
Be sure to follow the Medicare guidelines for receiving these services in order to ensure that Medicare will cover them since some are covered only once every few years and others are only covered if you meet specific criteria.
7 Steps to a Healthier You !
There are no forms of dieting that could stop you from growing bigger. Most are only fads and instead of giving you the results you once hoped for and worked for, they leave you frustrated and well, sometimes hopeless. Well, worry no more. There are these 7 effective moves towards a healthier, sexier you!!!
1) Sleep well, live well. According to studies, people who just have 4 hours of sleep at night have slower metabolism than those who have 8-hour sleep. Moreover, the former resort to overeating since they feel like eating would cover up the lack of sleep. You must have enough sleep for you to feel revived after every “wake up”.
2) Sweat a little in the evenings. There is recent research that tells us that our metabolism tends to slow down late in the afternoon or at the end of the day. So, in order for you to burn more calories, it is wise to do some evening walks and other exercise forms that would allow you to sweat it out and burn calories.
3) Do not be a slow mover! Move rapidly. As you move more, you burn more calories. Instead of taking a ride to a near-by place, walking is a better choice. You must gradually make minor lifestyle changes. These are just so minor you will not have a hard time. It is a fact that these may be so easy for you will not need hard work. This could be as easy as using the stairs instead of taking the elevator, do gardening instead of watching TV too much all day long.
4) Eat more proteins. Diet studies show that protein intake stabilizes the amount of insulin in the bloodstream. It is highly-beneficial for you.
5) Eat meal on schedule. Skipping meals is skipping life. A drastic change for your body is not good. Never dwell on the idea that missing a meal would make your waistline look well-carved. If you skip meals you are living an unhealthy life. Whenever you do a sudden stop in eating, your body will react to it in such a way that it will slow down its metabolic rate.
6) Sweat out a bit with some exercise. Exercise does not directly result in better metabolism because not all of its forms are really applicable. But it leads to better sleeping habits. And, sleeping increases metabolism.
7) Most of all grow lean muscles. Having more of these lean muscles will mean a better metabolism. A few push-ups and squats daily are of big help. Just bear in mind that it is not all about working out but considering the metabolism of your body .A good work out is great therapy for your body and your spirit.
There you have it. Seven moves toward your goals. Never let go of the hope that you will have a healthier, sexier and better life!!!
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- …
- 83
- Next Page »