Big Red Tour

It’s a new year and time to set that New Years Resolution, but just what would you like to focus on can be as daunting as trying to set goals- may I suggest your health, because without your health the rest is just, well stuff.

Taking care of your body is good for both your physical and mental well being and in this article I would like to focus on those of you whose are going to use Medicare this year or should be but aren’t.

It is a known fact that as we get older our bodies decide to slow down and in some cases shut down and we need medications to help our bodies along, as you may be aware the Medicare Part D coverage gap for prescription drugs is shrinking over time- in 2012, you will pay about 50 percent of the price for brand-name drugs and about 86 percent of the price for generic drugs during the coverage gap. You will pay less out of pocket for prescription drugs each year during the gap than you paid the year before, until the gap closes in 2020. The best thing you can do is start using your benefits now for optimal health, when you first join Medicare you will be asked to make an appointment with your doctor who will for FREE meet with you to discuss and create a personalized plan to help you improve your health and prevent any disease.

If you are 65 and older the federal government has set up a health insurance for you called Medicare. At Social Service Coordinators they help members identify and apply for State Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that can help pay their Medicare Parts A and B premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles. It may also pay some of the member’s health plan co-payments. So before you go rushing into anything give them a call and they will help you for free with what benefits you qualify for.

The best thing you can do is start using your benefits now for optimal health, when you first join Medicare you will be asked to make an appointment with your doctor who will for meet with you to discuss and create a personalized plan to help you improve your health and prevent any disease, and this office visit is free of charge to you because you are a newly enrolled member of Medicare.

Once you have been enrolled in Part B for at least 12 months, you can then again visit with your doctor for FREE; your doctor will do a routine examination and once again review your medical history. With this preventative visit he will also provide any necessary preventive screenings, and should there be any questions or concerns he will let you know what it’s recommended such as a mammogram or colonoscopy preventive screening. These services are FREE; there is no copayment or deductible for the visit. To use this benefit just call your doctor when you sign up for Medicare, if you don’t have a doctor ask SSC for a list of providers in your area.

Managing your health today will not only save you money in the long run with a healthy body and less visits to the doctor but it also sends sparks to the brain which can push away Alzheimer’s and other illness associated with aging- so don’t hesitate, make today great and get healthy!

Learn more about Social Service Coordinators, and start getting your health bills paid today!