Health

 How about every once and a while you think of us in sleepy little towns with simple grocery stores and work in that realm? We don't have Celery Root or cheeses and herbs you name we never seen. Even some of the nuts you guys lay out we can recognize the names of. Stop showing chief like prepared foods, and giving equal time to regular folk. Most of the multiple ingredient recipes cost more to make than get served in a restaurant.  How about giving equal time to those who don't live in areas of boutique food stores or farmers markets. I want to get everything at Publix. And once a week, I don't want to need a google search to learn how to pronounce a herb I never heard of. And some of us live alone and need help on how to shop and feed our self and not waste food. Its difficult to shop for one person and not have waste. That would be really helpful.And more smoothie recommendation please. You can save us a dime by listing what fruits and veggies not to blend togethe

I became retired in March of 2025. I needed to create a budget. The first thing I needed to do is look for health insurance. A family member told me about AARP. I'm happy to say AARP members helped me find the best Healthcare insurance for me. However, I'm not done. My car insurance went through the ceiling in 2025. Almost doubled. I'm thrilled to say AARP found me a reasonable car insurance company.  In addition, I bundled my homeowners insurance and got a great deal. I want to pinch myself I can't believe this fortune. 

Some Doctors who treat Medicare beneficiaries are getting a 2.5% raise next year under a regulation the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued Friday 10/31/2025. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule implements provisions from the new tax law enacted in July, which mandated a pay hike and reversed a multiyear trend of reimbursement cuts..  Also CMS on Friday finalized a controversial plan to reevaluate how Medicare calculates doctor payments that will result in lower rates for specialty services. Medicare will implement a 2.5% cut next year to payments for services like radiology and gastroenterology that are based on more than time spent delivering the service. CMS also spells out its plans for an “efficiency adjuster” that will reduce some payments with a new payment model, and new flexibilities for telehealth coverage. CMS Modernizes Payment Accuracy and Significantly Cuts Spending Waste while Improving Chronic Disease Management for Medicare

Who is eligible and who is not?   What are the rules in your state?  

Yes, you are offered a SPECIAL guaranteed issue period for a Medigap plan when this happens. HOWEVER, there are only specific Medigap plans offered in this situation.Medicare.gov- Choosing A MEDIGAP POLICY  SEE SPECIFICALLY SECTION 3, “YOUR RIGHT TO BUY A MEDIGAP POLICY”  on page 18 chart -  of this pdf booklet.   What is the reason for this - to keep down the cost of those who have been in the other Medigap  plans since their initial enrollment because adding people later on with perhaps health issues without underwriting is gonna increase the cost of those plans that they can get during this special enrollment period.   Guess this is one of the reasons that Plan N is becoming much more popular as an option - it is supposed to be insulated somewhat insulated to this.    

FROM THE ARTICLE. Open Enrollment: What to Know About Getting Marketplace Health Insurance for 2026.Higher premiums, plus the potential expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans, will make health coverage more expensive for many older adults. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published October 28, 2025. ➡️[*** Key takeaways! [*] Premiums are expected to increase.[*] Customer service may be interrupted.[*] Changes in eligibility requirements.[*] What to look for in a plan.[*] Where to sign up for coverage.[*] Key dates and deadlines. Open enrollment for state and federal health insurance marketplaces begins Nov. 1, kicking off a critical time for millions of Americans to secure or change their health coverage for 2026.But with rising premiums, expiring subsidies and new eligibility rules, this year’s enrollment period will bring changes for many consumers navigating the marketplaces. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/health/h

 I am not sure if this is the forum to put this question.  I have always had gas ranges in the past.  Now that I am living in Florida, everything is electric. I can't seem to clean my electric stove / oven very well.  I would like to ask if anyone knows of something that would clean the baked on stuff on the bottom of my oven.  Also, I was told to not remove the heating element.  Is there an easy way to clean it?  

Several complaints here. #1-Using foreign-born people or companies when a large # of your clientele are aging and various degrees of hearing-impaired. Foreign accents do NOT help matters.   #2-If United is using Indian-based customer service, you are simply  legitimizing scammers who call with the same Pacific-rim accents. The cold facts are that 65 to 75 percent of the WORLD'S illegal scam  phone calls originate from India, Pakistan , and Sri Lanka.  These are THIEVES who rob Seniors with no remorse. So please, don't even think about mentioning Prejuidice, or bias, in using the services from that area, you are doing a dis-service to your American clients.

FROM THE ARTICLE. You’ll need to plan to pay for some common medical expenses. By Tony Pugh and Dena Bunis, AARP.➡️[*** Updated October 23, 2025. Published August 08, 2018. Key takeaways! [*] Not everything’s covered, but here’s how to plan.[*] You’re out of luck on root canals, most eye care, hearing aids.[*] Most chiropractor, cosmetic surgeon services are off-limits.[*] No massage therapy for pain, but some acupuncture allowed.[*] Pay more for podiatry, foreign trips, long-term care, concierge care. Medicare covers most health care needs for older Americans, from hospital care and doctor visits to lab tests and surgery.Though great strides were made in recent years on paying for prescriptions, whether you have a Part D plan with original Medicare or drug coverage tucked into a Medicare Advantage plan, you should be prepared to pay $2,100 in 2026 for your covered medications before the limit kicks in. The federal government will help you finance that amount o

Source: MedPage Today.com - 10/20/2025 - Physician Exits From Medicare Increased in Vulnerable Areas  This is a real problem - How do you encourage medical providers to set up shop and stay in vulnerable areas of our country?  How should we encourage them to continuously accept Medicare (or Medicare and Medicaid [dual eligibles]) especially since the numbers of beneficiaries are growing exponentially. Maybe we need to pay them  more - especially those who choose to locate in these medical deserts -Perhaps those beneficiaries who live in urban or metro areas should subsidize those in rural setting MORE. We already have program to try to entice them to these underserved areas but their long ranch goals of their careers just does no materialize.  What good is it to have a rural hospital or clinic, if there are not enough medical doctors to staff them and treat the patients - especially those on Medicare (or Medicare and Medicaid).   excerp

Source: MedPage Today 10/20/2025 - Primary Care Docs Spend This Many Hours Per Week Caring for Patients Key TakeawaysPCPs clocked a median of 62 weekly hours caring for their patient panel.That figure translated to a median of 1.7 hours per patient per year.The findings come on the heels of other research showing PCP burnout also is high.All I can say, is you better find one, treat them well and then hold on to them as long as you possibly can - Try not to wear them out.    

IF you are not one of the millions that currently has their Part B premiums paid by your state’s Medicaid program, then you will see an increase in these premiums for 2026.  Estimates that I have seen, but yet have been announced, shows that we could top over $200 a month for this cost in 2026 for just regular Part B premiums.  Then, of course, those with higher income will be paying a whole lot more for their Part B premiums in the form of IRMAA payments (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount). So do you have any suggestions on how to hold down these Part B cost?  In that regard, you have to know what Medicare Part B covers, how waste, fraud and abuse affects the program financially and the coverage determinations that affect it in usage.   Like this one:It has long been the process of moving procedures that were at once considered major operation (Medicare Part A) to being done on an outpatient (ambulatory) status (Medicare Part B).  To me, that is

One of the most popular (non-profit) Medicare Advantage plan insurers in  Minnesota and Wisconsin is exiting the MAPD marketplace in 2026. Modern Healthcare.com 09/04/2025 - Ucare to Exit Medicare Advantage in 2026I do not have full access to this publisher so this is just the highlights to give a heads up so that you can look up more info if it involves your plan Synopsis: UCare will exit the Medicare Advantage market in 2026, the company announced Thursday, citing financial challenges in the business. As of Aug. 1, the nonprofit carrier had 186,700 Medicare Advantage members across Minnesota and Wisconsin, up 31.3% from the same period last year, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Overall, the company is one of Minnesota’s largest health insurers, with 600,000 total enrollees. It is the state’s second-largest Medicare Advantage carrier, trailing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, which has 242,500 members. (Tepper, 9/4)

 My wife and I signed up for AARP United Health Care Medicare Supplement plan G in 2020. During the first year our premiums were from January thru December. However, starting from 2021 our premiums increased twice a year from January thru May and again June thru December. I was informed when we signed up that my premiums will change on the month of my birth. My question is, do the premiums increase twice a year? We live in Michigan. Some of my friends with the same plan thru AARP UHC tell me that they are billed once a year. I will appreciate if someone can let me know if this is mistake that we are billed twice a year. I have tried to call their  customer service several times to no avail as I haven’t received a satisfactory explanation. I sent a certified letter to them four months ago and have't heard from them. TIA..

Pushing away adolescents and younger from tech because their brains aren’t fully developed but for older Americans, it is just the ticket to keep our brains keen. KFF Health News THENEW OLD AGE - 08/21/2025 - How Older People Are Reaping Brain Benefits From New Tech  from the link ~The first cohort of seniors to have contended — not always enthusiastically — with a digital society has reached the age when cognitive impairment becomes more common. Given decades of alarms about technology’s threats to our brains and well-being — sometimes called “digital dementia” — one might expect to start seeing negative effects. The opposite appears true. “Among the digital pioneer generation, use of everyday digital technology has been associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia,” said Michael Scullin, a cognitive neuroscientist at Baylor University. . . . . Scullin and Jared Benge, a neuropsychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, wer

Do not waste your money on AARP Dental insurance plans!!!!  I signed up for a PPO plan that states routine dental procedures covered with no deductible.  I had a routine exam with xrays, oral evaluation and cleaning.  The AARP Deltal Dental PPO plan only covers 80% of this expense leaving you liable for the balance.  This is not the coverage I want At $48 per month.

  AARP should not be selling the Dental Dental Plans as Ins, They are NOT Ins. The doctor I saw did not tell me until I was in the chair that I was not covered for a deep cleaning. This is after he took full xrays and after he sent me to endodontist for a root canal, which was not covered nor were the xrays of $400 plus dollars. I must pay for it. The whole thing has left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. Oh, the dentist I saw would not do the cleanings I was intitled under the plan. I am canceling the Ins. Be warned, do not buy this insurance.

KFF Health News - 10/17/2025 - An Age-Old Fear Grows More Common: ‘I’m Going To Die Alone’  I have always been somewhat of a loner - even more so since I became a widow almost 20 years aga.  I prefer it - so this would make no difference to me.   In fact, in my case, seems some others too, would be to give us a way to predetermine when to end it all.  I am not talking about what some states have today in their laws.  I am talking about a specifically describe time when this compassionate option is open - mentally, physically or emotionally - or any other way.  Like Canada’s method - MAID - Medical Aid In Dying. Your life and your death are your own - do what you want but do not inflict what you want on the life or death of others who do not feel the same way. The ultimate right to choose, IMO.  

FROM THE ARTICLE. Providers for Medicare Advantage Plans Now Listed on Medicare Plan Finder.Part D prescription plans will have pharmacy cost comparisons. By Tony Pugh, AARP. Published October 08, 2025. Key takeaways! [*] More details on Medicare Advantage plans come to plan finder. [*] Participating provider lists should be ready for open enrollment. [*] If the info is wrong, you’ll have 3 months to change plans. [*] Other special enrollment periods could work for you. [*] Details on supplemental benefits, pharmacies also available. The federal government’s main tool that enables consumers to compare Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug plans is getting some notable improvements for the 2026 coverage year.And enrollees could get a do-over if the effort backfires. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/medicare/medicare-plan-finder-provider-listings/

CNBC 09/29/2025 - Medicare Advantage enrollment expected to fall in 2026 as insurers cut back on unprofitable plans  Yep,with all the changes that CMS is imposing on them now, some plans are just not profitable any longer. Many PPO plans are going away, I think because there is now a Network Adequacy imposed - Networks are also supposed to be posted online on Medicare.gov with the plan for beneficiary’s review before committing to a 2026 plan.  Now they can still change during the year since this is done by contract date with the provider but at least a beneficiary can see what it is during the AEP (Annual Enrollment Period). I have already covered the Value Based Design Insurance (VBDI)  Policies that are going away in 2026.  They were just too expensive to continue.  For those who are in the Special Needs category or can be, many of the extra benefits that were available in the VBDI will be offered in the Special Needs Plans. MAPD (Medicar

FROM THE ARTICLE. Premiums for Medicare Drug Plans Will Be Less Next Year, Feds Say.Open enrollment for Part D and Medicare Advantage plans begins Oct. 15. By Kimberly Lankford and Tony Pugh, AARP. ➡️[*** Updated September 29, 2025.Published September 27, 2024. Key takeaways![1] CMS: Average premiums for Part D, Medicare Advantage to fall.[2] The time to shop is during open enrollment season.[3] Medicare Plan Finder is debuting new features.[4] Check costs for your present Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.[4] Coverage also could change, so assess that, too.Average monthly premiums for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will decrease in 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).While benefits and plan choices are expected to be stable next year, Medicare Advantage plans from private insurers project that their enrollment will fall from 34.9 million in 2025 to 34 million in 2026. That’s an expected decline from 50 percent of

 I am 68 and have had Medicare since I was 65.  Today I got a notice that my AARP United Health Care Supplement premium went up by $58 per month which is a 32% increase.  The reason cited was "multiple adjustments to my account".  What does that mean and are others experiencing a 32% increase from United Health Care? Thanks, Cindy

AARP did not cover any expenses when I was in the hospital for a pseudo aneurysm as a result of a cardiac catherization the week before. Medicare covered most of it but I still have a $2,000 balance. Is AARP responsible for any of it?

I was told by The Exercise Coach this morning that AARP/UHC has removed them as a gym for Renew Active for 2025.I have looked online at Medicare.gov  as well as the AARP/UHC Plan G for 2025 but not seeing anything that specifies that there will be changes for 2025, other than premium.I called AARP/UHC customer service and was assured that The Exercise Coach  was still an available gym for me for 2025.I found a YouTube video that talks about 2025 changes to renew active. He read a letter that UHC sent to a renew active member over 2 weeks ago. What it stated was that gyms listed as premium locations will no longer be part of Renew Active. The YouTube video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gEIIHEES70 about the 3:39 time mark. He did do a follow up video that indicated that removal of premium gyms was location based.I have not received any communication from AARP/UHC about this. I emailed them to ask if it is true that premium gyms are being dropped and how do we know w

Has anybody here tried the new treatments ?Lenire -  a device that uses bimodal neuromodulation or another device, Neosensory Both are non-invasive -I would like to know what you think about them and were you a longtime Tinnitus sufferer?