Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
DECEMBER 2001 NICA NEWS
ISSUES
Medicare Launches National Education Campaign
CMS recently launched a national education campaign to help the nearly 40 million people with Medicare take advantage of resources available to them to answer their questions about options in Medicare, including health plans and coverage.The campaign includes the mailing of the Medicare & You 2002 handbook to 34 million Medicare beneficiaries' homes and features Medicare's first national television ads. The annual education effort highlights important coverage options and Medicare's improved information resources, including the expanded 24-hour a day, 7 days a week service of 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and new decision tools on www.medicare.gov. Each of the campaign components informs people with Medicare about health plan options and offers information to help them make informed decisions.
"Our annual research of seniors and disabled people shows that they love Medicare, they just don't understand it," said CMS Administrator Tom Scully. "Our beneficiaries are often confused about their Medicare coverage and don't know where to get help or information. We know that it is important for them to have the information they need to make the health care decisions that are right for them. The ads tell them where they can get more information about Medigap, Medicare+Choice plans, nursing homes, or any other service we cover."
The $30 million national advertising campaign aimed at people covered by Medicare and their caregivers, includes general market television and print, Spanish language television and radio, and Internet advertising. Veteran comic actor Leslie Nielson stars in the English television ads. The Spanish language television ads, featuring a grandmother with her daughter and granddaughter, reflect the importance of intergenerational relationships in many Hispanic families.
Medicare Makes Diabetes Control More Affordable
All those with Medicare Part B who have diabetes are covered for supplies used to monitor blood sugar levels. Education programs are also covered, and this coverage is expanded beginning January 1, 2002.Medicare pays for certified training and education programs a doctor feels will help you manage your diabetes more effectively. Effective January 1, 2002, Medicare will begin coverage of medical nutrition therapy for diabetics as well as those with renal disease. This includes diagnosis of your special nutrition needs and therapy and counseling services.
Supplies covered by Medicare are lancets, test strips and glucose monitors. Your doctor must give you a prescription for the number of test strips you need each month. The prescription is good for six months, then must be renewed.
If you use insulin, Medicare will pay for up to 100 lancets and test strips every month. If you do not use insulin, Medicare will pay for up to 100 lancets and test strips every three months. More may be covered if your doctor can document additional ones are medically necessary. A glucose monitor will be covered if your doctor shows you need it, and you or your caregiver can be trained to use it.
Here's how the benefits work: Once you meet the annual $100 deductible for Medicare Part B, Medicare pays 80 percent of the amount approved. You are responsible for the remaining 20 percent. You may also be responsible for additional costs if the supplier does not accept Medicare's approved amount. If you have supplemental insurance, it can pay for some or all of your costs.
If you buy supplies from a non-Medicare supplier, you can file a claim for yourself. First call Medicare at 1-800-899-7095 and ask for a claim form and instructions.
If test strips and lancets are delivered to your home, the supplier must contact you before they send more. The supplier should not automatically send them to you unless you ask for them each time. Medicare will not pay for them, and you should not pay for supplies you do not request.
Slip & Falls
Many accidents are the result of our inattention to the tasks we are performing. Attention to balance and control can prevent many injuries, like strained backs, slips and falls. Here are three tips to stay focused:- Concentrate before reaching for something. If you think about what you're about to do, you'll likely pay more attention to how you will do it. Concentrating on a task, such as lifting a box, helps you to use the correct form in order to avoid strain or injury.
- Focus on your hands. Specifically, focus on your ring and pinky fingers when you reach for something or carry heavy objects. Most people use their thumb and index finger, but the ring and pinky fingers are actually stronger and more powerful.
- Sit with one foot slightly forward and the other foot slightly back. This position helps alleviate strain and fatigue to your lower back. When your body is more comfortable, you will be able to concentrate better.
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Discontinues J Plan
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company previously sold Medicare Supplement Plan J to all beneficiaries over the age of 65. They have decided to discontinue selling Plan J as of December 1, 2001.Some Utility Companies Offer New Product to Help Save Lives in Emergency Situations...
Your utility company or emergency services may now be offering the Emergency Beacon. This product is a new household device that could literally make the difference between life and death. The Beacon provides a signal for help to rescue personnel as they attempt to find an address to a person seeking immediate assistance. The Beacon looks like a 60-watt bulb and screws into standard porch light sockets. In normal circumstances, the Beacon can be used as a conventional light bulb. When an emergency situation erupts, the Beacon transforms into a call for help with two flicks of a light switch.This product is highly recommended for individuals who live alone, those who live in high crime neighbor-hoods or those who have small children. Although this is a new product, it has already aided emergency workers in finding people in distress.
"Addresses are some-times not clearly marked, mailboxes can be grouped together. It's not always easy to find where people live," says Louis Dominguez, Director of the National Licensing Program for the National Crime Prevention Council. This bulb is guaranteed to last for 2,000 hours providing 780 lumens of brightness. The Beacon can flash up to two hours providing plenty of time for emergency crews to find your home.
This product is recog-nized by some of the most respected organi-zations in the crime prevention industry including: the National League of Cities, the National Crime Preven-tion Council, "McGruff's" Take a Bite Out of Crime Program and various crime watch agencies around the country.
It is of great importance to the utility company and community emergency services to help improve the safety of your city.
After calling 911, the resident simply turns the porch light OFF AND ON TWICE to activate the flasher which can be seen from 1-1/2 miles at night and 125 yards during the day, making it useful in both rural and urban areas. This helps emergency assistance pinpoint your home's location. Over 100 towns and cities in Nebraska offer the Beacon to residents. The Beacons retail for $19.95, but direct sales through public service agencies in your community can reduce the price to the public to as little as $8. Beacons can be ordered by calling the Nebraska Energy Services office at 402-476-4500 and asking for Chad Taylor.