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Medicare Nation

107 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 144 ratings

How much would you pay out-of-pocket for a five day hospital stay on Medicare? The majority of people have no idea!
The problem with Medicare is there is too much information. An overwhelming amount of information and not enough resources. Medicare Nation solves that problem by educating you about all the things you want to know about Medicare, but are afraid to ask. This podcast will educate you about the components of Medicare, the different categories of Medicare Plans and Medicare benefits. On other episodes I’ll interview expert guests in the health and wellness field, about diseases, Medicare issues and current changes to the Medicare program.
Medicare Nation is dedicated to answering all your questions about Medicare.
Expert information and insights regarding Medicare and you!
Further information can be found on www.callsamm.com
Give us feedback on Facebook! www.facebook.com/MedicareNation

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Episodes

MN056 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Are Racking You Over The Coals

September 02, 2016 13:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MB

How to Find a New Prescription Drug Plan Welcome Medicare Nation! Many clients have been contacting me the last several weeks to tell me their Medicare plan has dropped one or several of their prescription drugs from the plan’s formulary. MAPD plans and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) may change their formularies during the calendar year. Two examples of when they can do this, is if a prescription drug is found to be unsafe by the FDA. If a prescription drug may cause serious...

MN055 How to Find a New Prescription Drug Plan

August 27, 2016 01:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

How to Find a New Prescription Drug Plan Welcome Medicare Nation! Many clients have been contacting me the last several weeks to tell me their Medicare plan has dropped one or several of their prescription drugs from the plan’s formulary. MAPD plans and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) may change their formularies during the calendar year. Two examples of when they can do this, is if a prescription drug is found to be unsafe by the FDA. If a prescription drug may cause serious...

MN054 You Can Be Diagnosed With Glaucoma At Any Time

August 19, 2016 15:27 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! I just had my annual eye exam and what a surprise I got!  I was diagnosed with Narrow Angle Glaucoma!  How could I be diagnosed with Glaucoma being just 54 years old?   Not only was I diagnosed, but I had to have immediate laser surgery to correct it. I don't want any of you to be diagnosed with Narrow Angle Glaucoma, so I'm going to discuss glaucoma with you to help you understand this disease. There are several types of glaucoma. The two main types I will b...

MN053 Are You Being Admitted to the Hospital or Are You Under Observation

August 12, 2016 16:05 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MB

The NOTICE ACT On August 6, 2016, The Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act, went into effect. (Sec. 2) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a hospital or critical access hospital with an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services(Medicre) to give each individual who receives observation services as an outpatient for more than 24 hours an adequate oral and written notification within 36 hours after...

What Are Advance Beneficiary Notices?

August 05, 2016 20:50 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! Today, I will be discussing Advance Beneficiary Notices. An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), also known as a waiver of liability is a notice you should receive when a provider or supplier offers you a service or item they believe Medicare will not cover. ABNs only apply if you have Original Medicare, are on a Medicare Supplement Plan. ABNs do not apply if you are in a Medicare Advantage private health plan. If you receive an ABN and you're on a Medicare Advant...

Special Election Periods Q and A

July 29, 2016 07:00 - 21 minutes - 9.88 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! We have a question today and I know many of you need this information!   MEDICARE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD SHOW NOTES Here’s quick guide to when you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan:   You can make your initial selection of a Medicare Advantage Plan when you enroll in Medicare at age 65. During the Annual Enrollment Period which is between October 15th through Dec 7th every year. You can dis-enroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan between ...

The Benes Act Explained - Know What You Are Eligible For!

July 22, 2016 07:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! Today I want to explain a brand new bill being introduced in the US House and Senate. It’s the BENES Act (Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act). This bill impacts people eligible for Medicare, specifically those who are nearing the age 65 enrollment period for Part B. The bill was introduced by Rep. Raul Ruiz (Dem.-CA) and Rep. Patrick Mann (Rep.-PA) in the House and by Sen. Bob Casey (Dem.-PA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (Dem.-NY) in th...

Diabetes Prevention and an Expanded Pilot Program - Get the Details Here!

July 15, 2016 07:00 - 22 minutes - 10.1 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! Today’s topic is Diabetes Prevention, based on the expansion of a pilot program instituted by the CMS (Centers for Medicare/ Medicaid Services). I’ll be explaining the program’s components and the results. Join me! What you’ll hear in this episode: Statistics about diabetes: There are currently more than 30 million Americans with Type 2 diabetes. There are TWO deaths every FIVE minutes from diabetes! There are 86 million Americans at a high risk of developin...

Medicare Q and A - Diane Answers Listener Questions

July 08, 2016 07:00 - 17 minutes - 7.84 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! Today’s episode is a Q & A in which I answer questions from two listeners. If you have a question for me about Medicare, then email me: [email protected].  Let’s jump right in! From Mike, in Pleasanton, CA: If my doctor drops out of my HMO network, can I change to a Medicare Advantage plan that the doctor currently takes? Here’s the thing, Mike: when you enroll in Medicare Advantage, you are in a “locked-in” period unless you have a “special election...

What Happens When You Can't Speak for Yourself During a Medical Emergency

July 01, 2016 07:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! I’m excited about our guest and our important topic today. We’re discussing the confusion surrounding advanced directives. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you can’t speak for yourself and are in an emergency health situation? Who will express your wishes, and will the health care professionals understand? Dr. Ferdinando (Fred) Mirarchi is the ER Director of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Hamot. He has a solution! Join us to learn more! Tel...

Cataract Awareness Month - Know the Signs and Symptoms with Dr. Steven Loomis

June 24, 2016 07:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! My guest today is Dr. Steven Loomis, an optometrist in Littleton, CO. Dr. Loomis is also the president of the American Optometric Association. Did you know that June is Cataract Awareness Month? It’s important to know what cataracts are, how they develop, and how to treat them. Dr. Loomis is here to discuss those topics and others related to general eye health. Join us! Many people don’t understand the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist. Can you ...

Anyone Can Get Shingles! Know the Signs and Symptoms

June 18, 2016 03:54 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! Today we’re talking about Shingles. I recently had shingles and my eyes were opened to how painful it is. It’s really a terribly painful illness, so I wanted to give you some facts and tips to help you diagnose your symptoms early.         What is Shingles?   A virus that is a type of herpes zoster virus. You can only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. The virus stays dormant in your spine and attach itself to some of the nerves in your spine. Then...

45: Medicare Q & A - Answers to Your Questions About Medicare

June 10, 2016 14:56 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! I’ve had a busy two weeks and have just returned from a conference in Miami for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. I have been flooded with emails, so today’s episode will be a Q&A session in which I address as many of those questions as possible. Join me! From Steve in Texas: “I’m turning 65 in July and your program has been helpful to me. Can I change Part D prescription options over time without having to pass insurability determinations?” The options can be...

Don't Confuse Aphasia with Dementia - It's Aphasia Awareness Month

June 03, 2016 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! Can you believe the month of June is here? The year is rolling right along, and you may not be aware that June is Aphasia Awareness Month. If you’re not familiar with aphasia, you should know that it’s an acquired disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak and to process language, but it does not affect intelligence. Let’s learn more about this disorder. Here are a few basic facts about aphasia: Often, aphasia is the result of brain injury, brain tumor, ne...

Part 2: Live from the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis by the National Osteoporosis Foundation

May 27, 2016 07:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! Today’s episode is Part 2 of our interview series live from the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis held by the National Osteoporosis Foundation in Miami, FL. Today’s episode features some of the leading Osteoporosis practitioners in the country, as well as an important summary of Medicare Benefits that relate to the treatment of Osteoporosis.   Today’s episode features:     Medicare Benefits for Bone Mass Measurement (Bone Density) Testing     ...

Live from the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis!

May 20, 2016 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! I interviewed clinicians and global experts in the bone health field gathered during the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis  held in Miami, Florida from May 12 to 15, 2016. May is the National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Clinicians and Academicians Joined  the National Osteoporosis Foundation to Identify Solutions for Reducing the Two Million Broken Bones Caused by Osteoporosis Each Year. This conference was sponsored by the National Osteoporosis Foundat...

Lupus Awareness! It's not easy to diagnose; know the symptoms

May 13, 2016 07:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MB

May 10th was World Lupus Day. So today, we wanted to highlight the disease so that we can get the word out.     Linda Ruescher, author, public speaker and Lupus advocate is our guest today. Linda actually has Lupus as well.   How many people in the US have Lupus?   1.5 Million people in the US.   What is LUPUS?   An auto-immune disease in which your body mistakes other body parts are toxins and invaders and tries to kill them. Lupus doesn’t have one particular body part...

Do You Qualify for The Medicare Savings Program? Find out now!

May 06, 2016 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MB

Today’s topic is the Medicare Savings Program. It can help you pay part of your Medicare premiums. It’s based on certain criteria of your income and resources.   2016 Medicare Savings Programs:   Resources include stock, bonds, 401K, IRA.   It does not include your home, 1 vehicle and other personal items.     4 Levels of Coverage:   QDWI Plan: (Qualified, Disabled, and Working Individual) Monthly income limit - $4045 (Married $5425)  Resource limit - $4000 (Married...

You May Qualify for Extra Prescription Help - A Little Known Government Program

April 29, 2016 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today, I want to tell you about the federal government program called The Extra Help program, also called Limited Income Subsidy (LIS).  If you never heard of this program, you may be missing out on some additional subsidies for your prescription drug purchases. So let’s walk through the program to see if you qualify. Qualifications for the Program: 1. Must be a resident of one of the 50 states in America 2. Your resources (savings, stocks, bonds, 401k etc.)...

The New CJR Model Explained and What it Means for You

April 22, 2016 07:00 - 30 minutes - 20.6 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! Hot Topic – The Comprehensive Care For Joint Replacement Model (CJR Model) Hip Replacements & Knee Replacements are the MOST COMMON Inpatient Surgery for Medicare Beneficiaries. In 2014 over 400K procedures were done, which cost Medicare over 7 Billion $ for the Hospitalization for these procedures ALONE. Hip & Knee Replacement Surgeries can require long recovery time & long Rehab periods. I KNOW!  I’m not even on Medicare yet, and I’ve had TWO Arthroscopic Knee...

Want to Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan? Get the Info You Must Know First

April 15, 2016 13:07 - 20 minutes - 13.7 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! It’s tax season! Today is April 15th and it’s the dreaded tax deadline day! It’s this time of year that people realize they need to make some changes to their Medicare plan. However, many people don’t realize that you can’t just make changes anytime you want to a Medicare Advantage Plan. There are specific times that you can make changes, and then you have to live with them until the opportunity arises to make changes again.   Here’s quick guide to making changes t...

Using a Patient Advocate to Navigate the Healthcare System

April 08, 2016 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation! Today we wrap up our “trilogy” about Care Coordination by talking to Patient Advocate Karyn Rizzo!   Karyn wrote the book - Aging in America - What you need to know about Navigating our Healthcare System   Karyn’s book is available on Amazon. It covers everything from finding a primary care physician, choosing Medicare programs, and also some information for LGBT friendly providers, and safety tips, fall prevention etc. It just covers lots of real life issue...

Melissa's Story of Care Under Medicare

April 01, 2016 07:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation!  After last week’s show with Dr. Jeffrey Burns, I wanted to bring a guest on the show that could talk to us about her experience with the lack of care coordination with Medicare. Melissa’s Mother fell and broke her hip before Christmas. At only 67, ended up having surgery and being in the hospital and then in a skilled nursing facility. At home she had outpatient therapy.   Melissa shares the following about her Mother’s experience:   She went to stay with her ...

1 in 3 Americans are at risk for Kidney Disease. Dr. Jeffrey Berns shares prevention and awareness tips to avoid kidney disease.

March 25, 2016 07:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! March is National Kidney Disease Awareness Month, so I’ve invited Dr. Jeffrey Berns on Medicare Nation. Dr. Berns is the president of the National Kidney Foundation and a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Associate Chief of the Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension Division. He is also the director of the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program and the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Ed...

MS Awareness Month - Do you know the signs and symptoms?

March 18, 2016 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! It’s March, which is a huge month for awareness. Last week’s show highlighted colon cancer awareness, this week we are discussing MS awareness, and next week’s topic is chronic kidney disease.  What is MS? MS is multiple sclerosis, which is a disabling disease of the central nervous system. It occurs when there is a disruption of the electrical circuit between the brain and the rest of the body. Nerves have a myelin sheath that covers and protects them; when the s...

Ultimate Health Suspension and Where the Politicians Stand on Medicare

March 12, 2016 01:29 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has suspended another Insurance Medicare provider's plan. CMS has suspended and sanctioned Ultimate Health Plan (UHP) Medicare Advantage Plan. Suspended Feb 26 and effective immediately. They are not allowed to market and sign up new enrollments for the UHP. They have determined that the conduct of UHP failed to provide services in compliance with CMS standards. According to the CMS document, "the failures were determined to be widespread and sy...

Create Second Income Opportunities to Hedge Against Social Security Changes

March 04, 2016 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

Kevin Harrington, creator of the infomercial and the chairman of the As Seen On TV brand, is my guess today. Kevin has launched over 500 products to the tune of $4 billion! He is one of the original sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. Kevin is an author who has helped me greatly with this podcast and my book, The Medicare Survival Guide. What would you suggest to people in our generation who might be affected if age requirements for Medicare benefits are changed in the near future due to political ...

The Politics of Medicare - Q and A

February 27, 2016 03:05 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MB

Do you know how your Medicare benefits would be affected by the changes in government that would come from a new President? It's time to think about it and weigh in on what you think is best for you and for the country. Listen as Diane talks to real people who have an opinion.  Do you have questions or feedback? I’d love to hear it!   email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTu...

You Can Win the Fight Against Colon and Colorectal Cancer

February 19, 2016 08:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! Today’s guest is Lee Silverstein, who is a colon cancer survivor. Lee is here to discuss the risks, prevalence, and treatments for this disease. Colorectal cancer is the most commonly diagnosed but also the most preventable through proper screening. The American Cancer Society estimates that 95,000 people will be newly diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. Over their lifetimes, 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women will be diagnosed! Colon cancer is clearly not “the old man’...

Broken Bones Can Hurt You! How to Prevent Osteporosis

February 12, 2016 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! My guest today is Dr. Andrea Singer, who is a professor of  Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgetown University Medical Center. Dr. Singer is the Director of Women’s Primary Care and the Director of the Bone Densitometry program. She is a trustee and clinical director for the National Osteoporosis Foundation and a national lecturer on the subject. Dr. Singer has published extensively on many women’s issues and is active in the education of medical students and reside...

Medicare Dis-Enrollment and Cigna Suspension Alerts - What you need to know NOW!

February 05, 2016 08:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB

    Welcome Medicare Nation! I have some alerts for your today for some important changes to Medicare that are going on right now. I want you to know if you are affected, and what you need to do to make sure you have coverage. There are 2 main topics we need to discuss today:   Dis-Enrolling from Medicare Advantage Plan Cigna Suspension       Jan 1- Feb 14 - the period in which you can dis-enroll from your Medicare Advantage plan - if you don’t like it.   You cannot then switch to...

Do You Know the FAST Steps to Recognize Stroke Symptoms?

January 29, 2016 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

Welcome, Medicare Nation! My guest today is Dr. Ralph Sacco, who is the Executive Director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Miami. He is also the Chief of Neurology Services at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Sacco has published extensively in the areas of stroke prevention, treatment, risk factors, human genetics, and stroke recurrence.  He is the recipient of numerous awards and has lectured at national and international meetings and conferences. He was the fir...

2016 Medicare Changes You Need to Know About Now!

January 22, 2016 08:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

  Welcome Medicare Nation! Everyone keeps asking me about the changes to Medicare for 2016. There are quite a few changes, so today I will focus on the biggest ones you want to know about today.   How much will you pay for Medicare Part B (Outpatient Services)?   There is no COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for 2016. The Hold Harmless Rule comes into play. If there is no COLA, then there can be no increase in Medicare Part B.    For everyone who is already on Medicare and receiving SS...

Preventing and Treating Heart Disease through the Advocate Heart Institute with Dr. Vincent Bufalino

January 15, 2016 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

Welcome! My guest today is Dr. Vincent Bufalino from Illinois. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. He is the Senior Vice President of the Advocate Heart Institute and the Senior Medical Director of Cardiology of Advanced Medical Group (AMG). AMG is ranked as one of the top five health systems in the US and has 140 physicians in cardiology practice! Let’s hear more from Dr. Bufalino! Tell us what you do at AMG. “We care for patients in 12 hospitals in the ...

National Flood Experts can SAVE you thousands in flood insurance with no risk

January 08, 2016 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MB

Welcome! Today’s guest is Brad Hubbard of National Flood Experts. He has built a company and a career dedicated to helping people save huge amounts of money! Join us for more! What is your background that led you to start National Flood Experts?  “I worked for 12 years as a civil engineer, working with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) on flood zone issues. When I grew tired of working as an engineer, I began working as an insurance agent specializing in flood issues. I noticed ho...

The PACE Program Provides Services and Long Term Care with Peter Fitzgerald

December 25, 2015 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MB

Welcome! My guest today is Peter Fitzgerald, who is the Executive Vice President for Policy and Strategy for the National PACE Association (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.) The PACE program helps guide the association policy and advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels. The program is always looking to improve services for those needing long-term care. What is the PACE program and its history? PACE provides all the programs that the elderly need, from health care serv...

Will You Contract Pneumococcal Disease? Let's Hope Not. It's Deadly!

December 19, 2015 10:50 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB

Welcome! I’m honored to introduce you to my guest today, Dr. Regina Benjamin, who is the former U.S. Surgeon General under President Obama.  There has been some confusion about the position of US Surgeon General, so can you describe the position and tell us what it entails? “Most people associate the US Surgeon General with the warnings on tobacco products about the dangers. That’s not all we do, though. We are responsible to communicate the best health science that we have. The Surgeon Gen...

Maintaining Balance and Fitness for Life with Jim Jenson

December 11, 2015 16:15 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Welcome! My guest today is Jim Jenson, who is the owner of “Fit for Life,” an adaptive fitness business. He is a certified fitness instructor and the host of the podcast, “The Essential Boomer.” Jim is here to talk about the specific fitness needs for baby boomers. Tell us about “Fit for Life” and what adaptive fitness is.  I have been in business for about ten years, located 20 miles south of San Francisco. I work with special fitness issues like MS, wheelchair-bound clients, and balance i...

Tips for Selecting Your Prescription Drug Plan - Medicare Annual Enrollment Part 2

December 05, 2015 21:17 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MB

It's annual enrollment time and I know that the prescription drug coverage options can be confusing.  So, today I wanted to try to clarify what you need to look for in the best drug coverage plan for you. Original Medicare requires a stand alone plan for prescription drugs. These plans are a pain, and that’s exactly why this episode exists.   Do not be loyal to any particular drug plan.  You want the plan with the least out of pocket expense, and the ones that carry your drugs. You will...

Medicare Annual Enrollment Assistance - Part 1

December 05, 2015 01:58 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MB

It’s that time of year!  You have 5 days left to choose your Medicare plan for the coming year.   Did you choose the right plan?   If you are confused, this is the episode for you!  I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to know to make the right choice.     3 Choices: Original Medicare - Part A and Part B Medicare Advantage Medigap to Original Medicare   Medicare for 62 and older and it was never designed to be free,   Part A - Stay overnight Part B - (Outpatient) Everyth...

Kidney Disease and Medicare with Dr. Jeffrey Berns of the National Kidney Foundation

November 27, 2015 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MB

Welcome! My guest today is Dr. Jeffrey Berns, who is the president of the National Kidney Foundation. He is a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Burns is the Associate Chief of the Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division and the Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program and the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Berns addresses the following aspects of kidney disease and its risks:...

Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate and Arm Yourself with Information - MN015

November 19, 2015 06:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Welcome! My guest today is Rosemary Gibson, who is an author and renowned speaker and presenter on the subject of healthcare. Rosemary is currently the senior advisor at the Hastings Center, and the founding editor of Less is More narratives in JAMA internal medicine. In 2014, she was the recipient of the highest honor from the American Medical Writers Association in the field of medical communication. Her books include Medicare Meltdown: How Wall Street and Washington and Ruining Medicare a...

Taking Action Against Cancer - The American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network - MN014

November 12, 2015 10:58 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MB

Welcome! My guests today are Catherine McMahon and Anna Howard. Catherine provides in-depth analysis for legislative and regulatory priorities for all levels of government and develops public policy principles for cancer prevention. Anna helps develop public policy principles in issues related to healthcare coverage for individuals with cancer. She is also the consumer representative for the National Association for Insurance Commissioners. Catherine and Anna are here to help listeners unde...

Your Eyes Need TLC Too! MN013

November 05, 2015 06:00 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MB

  Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. Steven Loomis, who is an optometrist in Colorado.  He has been a member of the American Optometric Association Board of Trustees since 2007 and is the newly elected president of the AOA since 2015.  He has served on numerous other professional boards and received many awards.   During this Medicare enrollment season, there are many questions about eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental care, which are not part of regular Medicare benefits.  You may be wonder...

Stopping Fraud Against Seniors and Medicare with Anne Fredericton of Senior Medicare Patrol

October 29, 2015 05:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MB

Welcome to today’s episode, which covers Medicare fraud.  The Medicare Strike Force and the Health Insurance Preventive Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) exist to stop fraud in its tracks.  Do you think fraud is a widespread problem?  Take a look at the statistics:  in 2011, $15-60 billion was lost to Medicare fraud, and the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) predicts that $65 billion yearly is issued in error.  Those are huge numbers!  My guest today will  help explain the ongoing efforts to s...

The American Lung Association Battles the Leading Preventable Cause of Death - MN011

October 22, 2015 05:00 - 21 minutes - 12.2 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today’s guest from the American Lung Association is Dr. Norman Edelman.  Dr. Edelman has an years of experience that includes:   Norman H. Edelman, M.D. is Professor of Preventive Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Physiology and Biophysics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. From 1996 - 2006, he served in a dual capacity as Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine at Stony Brook.  A graduate of Brooklyn College, Dr. Edel...

Are you a Caregiver for a Family Member? Then get Paid for it! MN010

October 15, 2015 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.3 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today’s discussion spells out the essential elements of Elder Law, and how the specialty is necessary for so many circumstances.  That’s why I am talking to an expert in the field today, who can help us clarify some common misconceptions, and also point us to the right resources to make sure you and your family are protected.   My guest today is Andrew Brusky, who is an attorney who specializes in elder law, offering services designed to provide greater options an...

Handling Special Dietary Needs and Eating Healthy on a Fixed Income with Melissa Joy Dobbins

October 08, 2015 05:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MB

Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today’s guest is Melissa Joy Dobbins, a nationally recognized Dietician with more than 20 years of experience dealing with the nutritional needs of not just Seniors, but people with special dietary needs like diabetes.  Melissa will show us how to eat healthy on a fixed income, and the things we can to do use food to help improve our overall health!    1.  Family members and the senior need to feel like you are in control of your own choices.  This means you need ...

Seniors Deserve a Raise! Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL)

October 01, 2015 05:00 - 23 minutes - 13.7 MB

  Welcome Medicare Nation!  We have a very distinguished guest with us today - Congressman Alan Grayson from the 9th Congressional District in Orlando, FL.  Congressman Grayson is here to talk about the bill he recently introduced in Congress, HR3308: Seniors Have Eyes, Ears and Teeth too!   Congressman Grayson lost his Father in 2000, and in the last years of his life, he had a broken front tooth.  This is when Congressman Grayson realized that Medicare arbitrarily excludes certain items...

Death Series Part 2 Do you know someone who has less than 6 months to live? MN006

September 17, 2015 05:00 - 24 minutes - 13.8 MB

Hospice and End of Life Resources for Palliative Care   Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today we continue with Part 2 of our Death Series, as we talk about end of life resources that Hospice provides.  Most people are familiar with Hospice and the services they provide, but I wanted us to take a closer look at Hospice as it relates to Medicare.  Hospice provides several different levels of care, but the focus of our conversation today is routine care and respite care.   My guest for today is J...

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