SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL HELPS FIGHT HEALTH CARE FRAUD; YOU CAN TOO

Health care costs are on the rise, and one reason is health care fraud. Fraud is a major contributing factor to rising health care costs and can also put your health and well-being at risk.

A recent article in USA TODAY featured Senior Medicare Patrols. These are teams of volunteers who help the Department of Health and Human Services educate Medicare beneficiaries about health care fraud.

An excerpt: Officials believe that if older Americans - including the growing crop of eligible Baby Boomers - know how to spot errors and fraud, "more criminals will be put in jail where they belong," Barbara Dieker told a group of volunteers recently. Dieker directs the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Elder Rights, which oversees the Senior Medicare Patrols.

Funding for the Senior Medicare Patrols increased from $9 million last year to $18 million this year in the form of Administration on Aging grants that target fraud-rich regions, including Florida, California, New York and Michigan.

WHAT IS HEALTH CARE FRAUD?

There are many types of health care fraud. Examples range from a patient intentionally using someone else's health insurance ID card, to a doctor billing an insurance company for services that were not needed - or not performed.

Fraud can adversely affect your health if someone uses your health coverage ID to obtain medical treatment tht he or she is not entitled to. The fraudulent data in your medical records could result in your being denied life insurance, based on a condition you don't have. Or, your doctor might prescribe a dangerous medication or treatment based on test results for someone who fraudulently used your ID.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

Always check your bills and EOBs to verify that the services listed are services you received. Call your doctor's office to question anything that seems to be wrong. It's probably just a mistake, but you need to make sure someone isn't using your coverage plan ID information to steal your benefits.

If you suspect fraud, please report it immediately to your health insurance plan.

source: www.ahealthiermichigan.org

HEALTH TIPS: 15 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE

Just about everyone has some degree of stress in their life. If ignored stress can lead to a series of medical, emotional, and psychological problems. But by following certain techniques, you can very easily manage your stress.

Stress is defined as a feeling which results from excessive pressures in life. This feeling is quite unpleasant. If not managed, stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, substance abuse, and a host of other problems. Here are some tipe to help you manage the stress in your life:

1. EXERCISE: Stay physically active by getting at least 20 minutes of exercise every day. Engaging in an intense workout can be a great way to channel frustrations.

2. GET ORGANIZED: In many cases, the mere sight of a dirty or cluttered room or office can make a person feel anxious or overwhelmed. Add on a few forgotten or overdue tasks, and a person could really be sent over the edge. Recycle or throw away old papers and junk. Make "to do" lists and write important dates down.

3. LEARN HOW TO RELAX: When you feel tense, take in 10 slow breaths-in through the nose and out through the mouth. Take time out everyday for meditation, prayer, or quiet contemplation.

4. REST: Get at least 8 hours of sleep every day.

5. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Being negative will not only make you feel more stressed, but it will also alienate loved ones and colleagues. Take time out to see the positive side of a situation. Recognize thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Focus on solutions instead of problems.

6. DO NOT ENGAGE IN ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR: Abusing food, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or any other vice will only make things worse. If you are having a problme with addiction, there are many programs available to help you kick your habit.

7. HAVE FUN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE: Make time for activities that you find enjoyable.

8. CONFIDE IN FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Talk to people who support you. Having people you can vent your frustrations with can be a huge relief. Just make sure you're there for them as well.

9. STOP PROCRASTINATING: Many people attempt to manage the stress in their life by simply avoiding all tasks that they find unpleasant. This almost always backfires because the more things the procrastinator puts off, the more overwhelmed they get by their ever-growing list of demands. Empower yourself by addressing issues rather than avoiding them.

10. LEARN HOW TO SAY "NO": Avoid overcommitting yourself to too many activities or obligations. When you spread yourself too thin, not only do you raise your stress level a great deal, but also you fail to allow yourself the proper time and energy to give any one project the dedication it deserves. Do not allow friends, family, coworkers, or others to guilt trip you into taking on more than you can handle.

11. DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF PERFECTIONISM: Focus on trying to do your very best instead of trying to be perfect. Don't be so hard on yourself.

12. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR: Don't take yourself too seriously. Try to laugh at least once a day.

13. DISSOCIATE YOURSELF FROM TOXIC PEOPLE: Phase out negative people from your life. End all unhealthy or abusive relationships. This will not be easy, but it is key to having self respect and peace of mind in the long run.

14. TELL PEOPLE WHEN AND WHY YOU ARE UPSET WITH THEM: Keeping your feelings to yourself will only prolong your stress and anger. Communicate your needs, wants, and expectations with other.

15. GET HELP: If you still find yourself unable to manage the stress in your life and you are increasingly angry, depressed, or anxious, it may be time to seek outside help. Many people find talking to a trained therapist, psychologist, or spiritual counselor to be very beneficial. If you are finding it harder and harder to cope, seek help right away.

source: www.newsolio.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY - 2012

TOO LITTLE SLEEP BAD FOR YOUR HEART

Sleeping less than six hours a night may make you more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or heart failure. A new study, based on more than 3,000 people older than 45, shows that those who slept less than six hours per night were about twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack as people who got six to eight hours of sleep. They were also abour 70% more likely to have congestive heart failure. The new study, presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting, isn't the first to link sleep and heart health, but it is one of the largest.

POOR SLEEP

The study's findings suggest a lot of people could be at greater risk of heart trouble because of their sleep habits. According to The Sleep Council nearly half of us are getting just six hours sleep or less a night. Exactly how sleep affects the heart is not clear. Doctors say they doubt not sleeping enough directly causes heart disease, however, there is evidence that not sleeping enough may ramp up the "fight or flight" response to stress, releasinghormones that speed up heart rate and raise blood pressure. It's also possible people could have other medical conditions, such as diabetes, that prevent them from sleeping through the night.

SLEEP STUDY DETAILS

In the study, people were asked how long they slept each night and if they had ever been told they had congestive heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, angina, or stroke. Among the findings:

Heart Attack: More than 10% of people who slept less than six hours and had a heart attack vs. about 5% who slept 6-8 hours.

Stroke: More than 9% of people who slept less than six hours had a stroke vs. nearly 5% who slept 6-8 hours.

Heart Failure: More than 7% of people who slept less than six hours had heart failure vs. 4.5% who slept more than 8 hours.

Sleeping too much may also be an issue. The study's findings show that people who sleep more than eight hours a night may be more likely to have the chest pain of angina and coronary artery disease. The researchers considered other factors that affect heart health, including age, gender, cholesterol, and blood pressure but the didn't consider sleep quality.

If you are having trouble sleeping, you may want to speak to your doctor. These findings were presented at a medical conference. They should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publicatioN in medical journal.

source: www.webmd.boots.com

7 ALZHEIMER'S WARNING SIGNS

The purpose of this list to alert the public to the early warning signs of one of the most devastating disorders affecting older people - Alzheimer's disease. If someone has several or even most of these symptoms, it does not mean they definitely have the disease. It does mean they should be thoroughly examined by a medical specialist trained in evaluating memory disorders, such as a neurologist or a psychiatrist, or by a comprehensive memory disorder clinic, with an entire team of expert knowledge about memory problems.

The seven warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are:

1. Asking the same question over and over again

2. Repeating the same story, word for word, again and again

3. Forgetting how to cook, or how to make repairs, or how to play cards - activities that were previously done with ease and regularity

4. Losing one's ability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook

5. Getting lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects

6. Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are still clean

7. Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer questions they previously would have handled themselves

source: www.webmd.com

NEW RESEARCH ON DRUG-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF SAFE MEDICATION FOR SENIORS

New research suggests that four drugs are responsible for a majority of drug-related hospitalizations in older adults. The Centers for Disease control estimates that nearly 100,000 hospitalizations every year are due to adverse drug events. Four medications, when used alone or together, caused a majority of the hospitalizations:

1. The blood thinner WARFARIN (brand names Coumadin and Jantoven) was involved in 33 percent of the hospitalizations.

2. INSULIN, an injectable blood-sugar control drug used by diabetics, was involved in 14 percent of the hospitalizations.

3. ANTI-PLATLET drugs (like aspirin) that are used to prevent blood clots were involved in 13 percent of the hospitalizations.

4. ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC agents, which are also used for diabetics, account for 11 percent of the hospitalizations.

These data highlight the importance of following the directions of prescribed medications and increasing communication with health care providers.

Whenever you are prescribed a new medication, it is important to remind your doctor of other medicines that you are on so that they can be mindful of any possible interactions between the medications. Also, check with the pharmacy and let them know all of the medications that you are on.

This is especially important if you have prescriptions at multiple pharmacies. Ask your pharmacist about any know interactions between the drugs and whether there are other medications, vitamins or even certain foods that you should be cautious of while on the medication. Be sure to read through the medication fact sheet given to you by the pharmacy; it will often contain specific information about how the drug should be taken and which other medications or vitamins are not compatible with the drug. Also, make a note of what the serious side effects are with the drugs and what warning signs you should look out for in case of an adverse event.

If you have trouble remembering whether you have taken your medication, or which medication you have to take, simplify the process for yourself by using a pill organizer. If you are a caregiver for an older adult, talk about this process with them and bring them a pill organizer to use. Keeping track of daily medications and making sure that proper doses are used can greatly increase your safety. Also, it is important to never discontinue or decrease use of any medication without talking to your doctor.

Being an active monitor of your own health is one of the best ways to stay safe and informed.

source: www.ahealthiermichigan.org

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   MAY IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH

Nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, in the U.S. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death.

You can maintain healthy blood pressure by changing your lifestyle or combining lifestyle changes with prescribed medications.