Dear Mary,

It’s an election year and it’s shaping up to be an entertaining one with a lot of unexpected surprises.  Here’s an interesting fact:  As of April 15^th a total of 1,691 candidates have filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.  Can you imagine?

Election years bring a lot of issues and topics to the forefront.  The economy, healthcare and even aging.  These are important issues to me and I love to discuss them and to help people with their plans for the future.  I’m always available for you, your friends and your family members so please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Moving forward, I do hope that you enjoy the articles that I’ve included below.  Please share them with anyone that you think could benefit.

Be well!

Warmest regards,

Mary Rockwell

The highest compliment you can pay me is to recommend my service to your friends and associates

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Older Americans Act Reauthorization Signed into Law

Earlier this month, the President reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the health and well-being of older adults when he signed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization of 2016 into law.   For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act has helped people live the lives they want, with the people they choose, throughout their lives.  Through the aging services network, it has helped older Americans continue to… click here to read more.

Foodborne Illness Early Detection

By preventing foodborne illness, PulseNet, a national network of public health laboratories prevents an estimated 270,000 cases of food poisoning, not only saves lives but also saves an estimated $500 million a year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.In comparison, the network costs public health agencies about $7 million a year to run. So, for every dollar spent, an estimated $70 is saved.  Click here to read about the technical advances and how important they are.

Medicare and Preventive Services

The Annual Wellness Visit is one of the many preventive services that Medicare covers at no charge. If you have Original Medicare, you will pay no coinsurance or deductible for the Annual Wellness Visit and other preventive care services, as long as you see a health care provider who accepts Medicare assignment. This means that the doctor cannot charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount for services you receive. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will pay no coinsurance/copayment or deductible for any preventive service that is free for people with Original Medicare, as long as you see an in-network provider.

As part of your Annual Wellness Visit, your provider may:

• Update your health-risk assessment
• Update your medical and family history
• Check your weight and blood pressure
• Update your list of current medical providers and suppliers
• Screen for cognitive issues
• Update your screening schedule from previous wellness visits
• Update your list of risk factors and conditions and the care that you are receiving or that is recommended
• Provide health advice and referrals to health education or preventive counseling programs

Charges may apply if you also receive a diagnostic service at the time of your preventive screening. A service is preventive if you have no prior symptoms of the disease, whereas diagnostic services tend to address symptoms or conditions you already have. Doctors may conduct diagnostic tests and procedures if you have a distinct symptom-including a symptom found during the screening-or history of a condition. For example, if a doctor finds and removes a polyp during a preventive care colonoscopy screening, the removal of the polyp is considered diagnostic and costs will likely apply.

For more information on preventive services covered at no cost by Medicare  click here. Understanding what is covered and when costs may apply can help you make the most of your Medicare-covered preventive services.

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Make a note to yourself to give me a call soon!