Health

Long Term Care insurance has become a Ponzi scheme.  Story after story in the press highlights the issues with these offerings. From non-payment of covered services to the exponential increase of premiums, this insurance has a bad reputation. One recurring theme is the increasing of premiums until the insured can no longer afford the premiums and drop the policy.  Protections don't exist for these products so there are substantial systemic situations that take advantage of those who buy these policies. AARP should NOT tout these policies as a responsible use of your finances.

Happiness is an important component of your well-being. Explore habits that may increase happiness — from connecting with others to practicing kindness — in the Pursuit of Happiness challenge. You’ll learn about the science of happiness and about the building blocks you need to create your best self. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

When was the last time you played tag, jumped rope, colored outside the lines or dove into a ball pit? While childhood play is essential for brain development, a little adult play may also have benefits, research suggests. Bottom line: Building fun into your day may ease stress, strengthen social ties, and support mood. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

 I applied for Medicare Part A in 07/2023 as I was turning 65 in October.  Seven months have passed, and I've yet to hear anything from them.  I call them every month; usually what they tell me directly contradicts what I was told the month prior.  At the end of the day, nobody can seem to tell me what the holdup is.  I passed frustrated a few months back.  Any ideas on where to go next?  

My wife and I both use the Ucard to get $10 per month credits for walking. In the past we could get Amazon gift cards at the end of the year and it worked perfectly. Now it seems you have to shop at Walmart and the experience has been horrifying. The items we scan all show not eligible at our Walmart. I went online to see what is eligible and it's all junk food we don't eat. I feel this program is useless to us now and all incentive is gone. Time to shop for another plan.

I was rejected from a scheduled VA procedure by a nurse on an administrative technicality unrelated to my condition, after scheduling a 100 mile round trip with my Medicare transportation provider. This is disgraceful and unprofessional, especially since I initially rescheduled the appointment in order to comply with the requirement to not come unaccompanied. The Patient Advocate Office states that they can only file my concerns with the same department that I am complaining about, which seems nonproductive and disingenuous. How do I file a complaint outside of the local VA department?

The US is the laughingstock of the developed world for our instance healthcare system.  It’s clear Medicare is carefully constructed to maximize profits/revenue for insurance companies and drug distribution companies.  If AARP really wants to help, lobby for a decent national healthcare system like, among many others Canada.  specifically, the AARP “endorsed” UHC plan has no straightforward way to disenroll and stop them stealing my money. Decent guidance on how to contest Medicare part b premiums would also be useful.

In order to help the old spouse get premium free Medicare Part A, who has less than 40 work credit, the young spouse earning more than 40 work credit must reach 62. Is it correct? Thank you for your answer.

Article in LA Times: "Medicare Advantage was meant to curb federal healthcare spending. It's costing MORE instead." And another article from the FCC: "Is the Biden Administation Proposing Cuts to Medicare Advantage?" All of this is very disturbing.  I rely on the Medicare Advantage plans.  Transportation, among others, from the plan are indispensable. How do we Keep the Medicare Advantage plans in place? Sincerely,Karin Wakefield

Do you feel stuck in a rut? What if you could get out of autopilot mode and forge a new path? Truth is, you can. Often, the hard part is figuring out how to break free from your existing routines and patterns. Making time for relaxing, contemplative activities such as walking meditation, restorative yoga and journaling may help. Those approaches allow you to get in touch with your deeper feelings to begin mapping out the life you want to live. Read this article to explore three ways to get off the mundane merry-go-round so your dreams can take shape. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

 I read an article on the Microsoft Start site that said MA had some minor changes last year, but CMS would be coming out with changes to MA plans in a couple months. The changes sound like increases in premium and eliminating approx 200 coverage items. Why are we not hearing of the changes in any of the media? This sounds like a biden administration idea to cut government costs. MA plans have been saving costs in general. What is going on? Thanks

Evaluation of the JN1 Variant and COVID-19 Situation by Chest Diseases SpecialistThe JN1 variant of Covid-19, recently identified by the World Health Organization as a variant that requires attention, continues to spread globally, including in our country. Dr. Ergün Tozkoparan, a Chest Diseases Specialist, emphasizes that while Covid-19 now presents symptoms similar to the flu, it should not be underestimated. Respiratory diseases and the tendency to be in closed environments have contributed to an increase in virus-related illnesses.Influenza cases typically rise in December and January, and this year, alongside influenza, there has been an increase in Covid cases during the same period. Dr. Tozkoparan notes that the majority of patients with respiratory symptoms in hospitals are diagnosed with infections caused by either Covid or influenza viruses. Globally, according to the World Health Organization's report, there is a 52% increase in Covid cases in December compared to November. H

My wife and I have United health care supplements and she also has part D prescriptions and traditional medicare. The part D prescription plan went from $64.40 to $80.60 on January 1, no warning about this and I see that from 2024 to2029 these plans can't increase more than 6%, this is pure price gouging at its best to hit an increase by that much. This is about the same as insider trading.  I am thinking of doing away with AARP as they always say they are for the seniors but this proves they go along with price gouging and insider trading, I guess they are right up there with the Justice dept  and FBI with unfair practices. Too bad I always thought AARP United Healthcare was the way to go.

It’s no secret that our bodies change as we age. We can see some of those changes in the mirror (hello, gray hair), while others take place internally, including in our muscles, bones and joints. Many of us assume that weight gain must be part of those changes, but it doesn’t have to be. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight may slow down some of those changes. Explore the Weight Loss After 50 challenge, which is based on The Whole Body Reset, to learn more. AARP Staying Sharp® users get 40 percent off the purchase of the paperback version of this book until March 31, 2024, when purchasing through the publisher. To redeem, click here and use promo code AARP40 at checkout. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Married female 62 need good medical insurance at a possible low monthly fee.Husband resigned from work an lost our insurance. He is 73. Our total income is around $ 24,000.00a year gross. Where can I get reasonably priced medical insurance on a female 62, for say 3 years till I turn 65 for medicare?Thank you.

 i had heard rumors in December about Humana dropping coverages in My upstate NY area, but they denied it.  So today ( January 13th 2024) 12 days after starting the 2024 plan, I get a letter stating as of July 1st 2024, Hospital coverage for My hospital and all its affiliated hospitals and services will be terminated.  Great. They knew all along.  Can I join another Medicare Advantage plan instead now, or am I out of luck. Doesn't seem right.  Humana knew about this and waited to shaft Us.

Is anyone else having problems with customer service with insurance underwritten by Wellmed? I have a prescription tier 4, although I have no idea why it's categorized as such. My previous insurance with AARP Advantage covered 90 day prescriptions I changed to one underwritten by Wellmed. They now limit me to 30 days eventhough my doctor prescribes 90 days. The problem is I travel out of the country for 30 - 90 days. I have talked to customer service but the most they are willing to do is once a year 30 day override. I'm on  my own for anything over 60 days. There is no margin for error to fill the prescription and, God knows, Optum Rx has trouble delivering prescriptions on time. 

Research is finding that a variety of strategies — exercising regularly, eating a brain-friendly diet, getting good-quality sleep, socializing with friends and family, engaging the brain and reducing stress — may help to keep our brains healthy. Explore the Brain Health 101 challenge on Staying Sharp and learn about how sleep, exercise and eating may affect brain health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Pursuing your passions is good for your well-being, whether that means volunteering at a nonprofit or starting a new career. If your bucket-list aspirations are aligned with your sense of purpose, so much the better. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

   KFF.org - 12/12/2023 -  The New Help for Medicare Beneficiaries with High Drug Costs That Few Seem to Know About  This is a nice Christmas present for those who take these extremely expensive drugs. From the link:Beginning in 2024, people enrolled in Part D plans will no longer be required to pay 5% coinsurance after they reach the catastrophic threshold. Eliminating this 5% coinsurance requirement means that in 2024, Part D enrollees will pay no more than about $3,300 for all brand-name drugs they take – a change KFF estimates will help well over 1 million Medicare beneficiaries. And starting in 2025, out-of-pocket drug spending will be capped at a lower amount, $2,000 (indexed annually for growth in Part D costs.)  

“All the lonely people — where do they all come from?” The Beatles asked an important question with that haunting lyric. Health experts ask another one: How can we, as individuals and as a society, strengthen our social ties and feelings of connection? Explore these five ideas to ease loneliness the next time you feel the need to connect with someone. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Many aspects of life can be stressful, from work deadlines to health issues to family conflicts. Watch this video to better understand the impact of acute and chronic stress on the brain — and learn to manage the stress in your life. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp®, an AARP member benefit, for more information on brain health.

....from US News...(If link doesn't work, you can try Googling this article title)America's Best Hospitals: the 2023-2024 Honor Roll and OverviewU.S. News ranks the top hospitals in the nation, plus the best hospitals in each state and metro area.ok, system would not take the link, you can just Google the article title...I will re post it with quotes..."America's Best Hospitals: the 2023-2024 Honor Roll and Overview"

Consider helping yourself and other caregivers by participating in caregiver research. Apply for enrollment in the Dementia Caregivers, Brain Health and Remote Technology study on the Staying Sharp scientific research portal. Learn More About the Study.

Clutter is stressful, whether it’s a cluttered physical environment or a digital one. As we age, research shows, clutter jacks up our stress level even more, while reducing our overall happiness. Because we spend so much time looking at our phones, a jam-packed device can seem overwhelming, adding stress and frustration to your life. By removing unnecessary items from your device and reorganizing what’s left, you can help yourself better focus on the things that are important. Looking for other ways to pay attention to the things that matter? Explore the Digital Declutter challenge and learn about distraction triggers and ways to manage your digital world. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.