Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Links for May 26, 2016

There’s a lot going on in healthcare news this week! I have put together a handful of trending topics to share with you in hopes that this information will assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few articles for this week.

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. Almost 55 million American’s are considered overweight or obese as determined by body mass index (BMI), which is a weight-to-height ratio. However, this number may not always be the most accurate representation of your overall health. Here are four other factors that can give you a much better idea of if you are at a healthy weight.

4 ways to tell if you’re at a health weight

You hear a lot about clean eating now a days. To simplify it, clean eating is eating food in its pure, whole, natural state. However, this can be challenging. It can be expensive, time consuming, and difficult to stick to in a social manner. Follow these clean eating basics, and it will be easy to keep it up.

Clean eating basics: It’s surprisingly easier than you think

According to a recent study people are starting to live longer, which is not surprising due to advances in healthcare, improved hygiene and sanitization, and improved nutrition. Since people are living longer, there is more of a need for long term care, such as assisted livings and nursing homes. And as the need increases, so does the price tag. Follow the link below to find out how much long-term care will cost you in the year 2016.

Study: Long-term care costs continue to rise

Exercise and physical activity have a positive effect on the brain. Sometimes when you’re feeling down it is nice to go for a walk or a bike ride, or head to the gym and lift some weights. This is not your imagination, it’s science. Endorphins, chemical signaling molecules in the brain, are released during exercise. The endorphin rush felt during exercise can help ward of depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

How workouts give your brain a boost

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children as well as your aging parents: Life in Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016

Healthcare Benefits for Mental Health Services

In terms of well-being, mental health is just as important as physical health. However, it has not always seemed that way in the eyes of the insurance companies. Previously, little emphasis was placed on the importance of mental health as a component of overall well-being. And a lot of insurance plans simply did not provide care for those with mental health issues.

Now, with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mental health benefits have become more widely available to those in need. When the ACA was signed in to law in 2010 there were strict guidelines as to what each plan must cover. All plans were to include benefits such as maternity care, preventative services, and mental health care.

In terms of mental health benefits, all plans must cover three things: behavioral health treatment, such as psychotherapy and counseling, mental and behavioral health inpatient services, and abuse treatment. Also, you will not be penalized for a preexisting condition, such as depression. And thanks to the ACA, a majority of plans cover preventative mental health services, such as behavioral assessments and depression screenings.

This is all great news, but some people do not even know that their health insurance plans provide mental health care. Therefore, I have put together a list of things you should know about your coverage.

First, mental health issues must be covered equal than or greater than the coverage provided for medical or surgical treatments. This means that all copays must be equal across the board. Your charge for a visit with your psychiatrist is the same as an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon.

Also, there is no annual maximum in terms of treatment visits. Insurance companies are prohibited from putting a financial cap on treatments. However, they can limit the number of visits based off of medical necessity. Once you see a psychiatrist they set up a treatment plan, at the end of that treatment plan there is a reevaluation. If they feel your care still is medically necessary, your insurance is required to continue to pay for your treatment.

Second, all mental health diagnoses are covered under the federal parity law, whether it is a disease, such as schizophrenia, or a substance abuse problem. However, specific health plans are allowed to exclude certain diagnoses in any area of mental or physical health.

Third, it is important to remember that not all doctors take your insurance, even if you have mental health coverage. A lot of mental health providers are “not in network” with many insurance companies because their reimbursement rates are so low. Therefore, it is important to check if a provider is within your network before scheduling your first appointment

It is extremely important to know and to understand what your insurance company covers. Also, before you schedule your appointment you should call and find out what your deductible is, what your copay is and any other pertinent information. This will help you to save money and to save time.

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Posted on Friday, May 20, 2016

What To Do If Your Seniors Care Level Changes

Yesterday we completed another successful webinar on assisted living. I really appreciate all of you taking time out of your afternoon to tune in!

We received so many excellent questions during our webinar, however, due to time restrictions, we were unable to get to them all. So today, I wanted to take time to answer an important question that came up.

“What do I do if my seniors level of care changes while in an assisted living facility?”

Often times, seniors move in to an assisted living facility because they need temporary help–for instance, while rehabbing after falling and breaking a hip. They go in with intentions of returning to their home after a few short weeks. Sadly, this is not always the case. Health has a tendency to deteriorate after traumatic events, and suddenly a temporary living arrangement can become a permanent home.

I went through this with my dad. We had made arrangements for him to move in to an assisted living facility for a short while after having a routine procedure done. Beforehand he was the picture of health. Even driving three hours one way to pick up my daughter at college the day before. However, the procedure was harder on him than expected, and he ended up staying in the assisted living. Luckily, we had chosen a facility where his level of care could change as he needed more assistance. However, not all assisted living facilities have these options.

In order to help guide you through this difficult time, I have put together some helpful tips to consider if your seniors care levels change.

First, when choosing a facility, even if it is for a temporary situation, it is a good idea to choose one that has the ability to step up. Most facilities have several divisions: one for those who need minimal assistance, one for those who need some assistance and have slight memory problems, and one for those who need full assistance and have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It is important that the facility is able to grow with your seniors ever-changing needs. Not only will it make things easier on them, but it will put less stress on you.

Another important thing you should do when visiting assisted living facilities or nursing homes is bring a comparison chart. In my workbook When Life Happens, I have put together a helpful chart to bring with you to help weigh the pros and cons of each place you visit.

Second, it is likely that the facility, or its staff, will come to you first about needing to change your seniors level of care. They spend time with your loved one every day. Therefore, they know what changes need to be made. This is why it is important to have a specific family member designated to working with the staff. This way your seniors’ needs are taken care of right away. You would not want them receiving improper care because they are no longer able to do certain things on their own.

Third, once a need for change has been established, you should set up an appointment with a geriatric professional to determine exactly what you can do to help your senior. Most facilities work with physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers who can do an evaluation of your loved ones’ ability to perform their necessary activities of daily living. Can they get themselves to the bathroom on their own? Do they need assistance taking their medications? As they become less able to care for themselves they will become more reliant on the staff members, and their care level will be increased.

Fourth, go in with an open mind. It is hard to watch your parents age, and often times we do not see the obvious signs because we are in denial. Therefore, it is important to always have an open line of communication with the assisted living facility that your loved one is in. Like I said previously, the staff are going to tell you when their care level needs to be changed. So keep your mind open and listen to their advice. These people are trained professionals and they know what they are doing. You must also keep in mind that has need for care increases, so does the cost. Do not let the cost of upping their care be a deciding factor in the changes that you make for your loved one.

Fifth, remember that your loved one is getting older, and as you get older you do not get better. Thus, you need to have an open conversation with them in regards to their plans for the future. Where do they want to go? What can they afford? This will make it much easier on you when the time comes that they need a little extra help.