Be Thankful! Appreciate Good Health

Thanks giving is giving thanks every day.  This in itself a great way to appreciate your health.  Keep your personal banks filled with thanks.  Do good for your health all the time.  Be thankful and 
show it in your health.  Best health!

Doctor Availability Less Available?

As a potential primary care physician shortage may be approaching, it has become more difficult to get timely appointments.  If you have insurance, they must be in network to avoid extra cost beyond your insurance coverage.  Many physicians also have limited visiting hours unlike days of old when they made themselves more available to patients.  

Be aware of reasons doctors may be selective about their patient choices.  This may include:

• too many patients per doctor
• cash only
• limited to certain insurance or Medicare, Medicaid only
• gender preference
• age limits like over fifty
• too many chronic conditions

You must seek out doctors you feel are best for you.  Even if it means seeing several in the same specialty before you get the right one.  Doctor shopping is becoming more popular as the healthcare landscape keeps changing.  The Internet makes it easier to do, but the telephone can make it more personable.  Talking to someone can give you more information to add to your research.  Word of mouth is still a good way to find doctors.  Seek out the best doctors and you will find great available healthcare personalized for you. Best health!

Morning Hypertension Tension

Tension in the morning can be stressful. Hypertension may be contibuting to this.  It may cause symptoms often associated with starting a new day and all you have to do.  This should  be less stressful than many choose to make it.  Normal blood pressure at this time of day is associated with better health and less comorbidity.  

Hypertension in the morning may start as early awakening, anxiety. headache, chest discomfort, and general fatigue.  Studies have shown heart attacks are more likely to occur this time.  High blood pressure in the morning should be recognized.  Many times it is associated with normal blood presuure for most of the waking hours without symptoms.  

Treatment must be specific for each person.  It is good to begin with simple common sense things like restful sleep, healthy diet, and exercise.  Meditation, yoga, and prayer are beneficial as well as easy to do upon waking up.  Reading books and watching instructional videos is an easy, inexpensive way to learn.  As these are made routine, stress reduction is also enhanced.  

Maintaining a healthy weight and BMI are important as well.  Foods specific for cardiac health like beans, greens, and grains are very beneficial. Lack of response to these may indicate a need for medication especially if blood pressure is elevated more than four hours upon and after awakening. Specific herbs and supplements may also be added.

Home blood pressure checks remain beneficial for keeping track of daily blood pressure measurements.  A record of these should be kept along with notes on present activity and treatment.  After two weeks or sooner, you will be able to see patterns, and what is working.  Continue your hypertenson diary for at least three months or longer.  It will become apparent what you can do to keep a normal blood pressure without symptoms and hypertension tension.  Best health!

Save Money On Your Health

Saving money is healthy and good way to promote good health and wellness. Health prices are escalating more rapidly than prices of other services right now.  There are some things you can do to help avert financial stress. This can include:

·       Shop around for best care and prices.  Your insurance company may cover a diagnostic test with partial payment. This may be higher than the actual charge if you pay yourself.  Call places in your area that offer the same test to check for prices that are cheaper and fit your budget.  If your health insurance deductible is a hefty $6,000 or more, this may fail to be attained.  Paying out of pocket may come out less expensive than $6,000.

·       Cook at home.  Home cooked meals are healthier and cheaper.  You can get more meals from unprepared and uncooked grocery items.  The average cost of one restaurant meal without drinks is about $30.  The grocery equivalent would be two or more good, healthy meals cooked to your taste and perfection.

·       Use cheaper non-prescription medication.  There are many over the counter medication that can do the same as more expensive, newer drugs.  Many of these were prescription medication at one time.  They may be safer as well since they have been in use for a longer time, and been proven effective.

·       Exercise at home.  Create your own exercise plan.  Use exercises you learned in school physical education classes.  Simple stretching, arm rolls, jumping jacks, deep knee bends, sit-ups, and more.  Walking and running on land or in the pool are good aerobic activities.  Exercise can also be done in bed and in a chair.

·       Read more.  The cost to read is better health, more knowledge, and more information of your choice.  The actual cost of reading material can be as free as you make it using the library and Internet.

·       Develop a home entertainment program.  Your choices of your interests have proven to be healthier.  There is less stress over programs and their content.  If it must include television, make your own library with your preferred DVDs and TV sticks that attach to the television.  This works on your schedule. It is free of thoughtless commercial time, unpleasant images, and loud opinions that take away from a program’s content.  Cutting the cable cord can be healthy and good for wellness as well as a big money saver.

·       Take more staycation.  Vacations at home and nearer to home can be much healthier, cheaper, and less stressful.

·       Try to buy mainly that which is necessary leaving the desired for another time when extra money is available.  Reward yourself every now and then, but stay within your means.

·       Save consistently.

For more ways to save money check out “10 Money Saving Medical Tips” http://bit.ly/1Gt4f8I .  Best health!

Medicare Healthcare Scare

As health costs rise so do Medicare prices at a faster rate than cost of living increases can contain. During your retirement years good healthcare is as important as ever.  Medicare is primary health insurance during this time yet the cost may be too high.  Medicare is a health plan for the elderly and disabled. Much of this specifc population is on a limited income which is usually only Social Security.  The average Social Security monthly payment for 2019 is $1461.  The average amount for Medicare can be up to one third of this average leaving less for food, rent, and other necessary living needs.

The standard part A premium for inpatient care may range from $240 to $437 and depends on the amount of Medicare taxes you have paid. If you have paid less than 7.5 years in Medicare taxes, the higher price is the premium price.  The deductible for Part A hospital coverage is $1,364 for each benefit period.  Coinsurance is $0 for first 60 days, $341 for next 30 days, and $682 for each "lifetime reserve day" (up to 60 days over your lifetime).  The patient is responsible for all costs after lifetime reserve depleted. 

The standard part B premium for outpatient care starts at $135.50 and is higher depending on income.  The deductible for this part is $185 per year.  After this has been met, payment for services is 20% of Medicare approved prices.  This can be covered with extra insurance coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan offered by commercial health insurance companies.  If you fail to buy during the eligible enrollment periods, the premium may go up 10%. 

Regardless of who is paid for what, the result is the same.  Prices continue to increase and cover less.  For example, many home health care costs are excluded.  Home health care is important for those that are homebound or disabled.  This cost should hardly be extra on a limited income.  

Then there is Medicare part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare part D prescription coverage offered by regular insurance plans for an extra fee of course.  The deductibles, copayments and coinsurance are part of this as well.  Each insurere has their own plans and rates that add to your health maintenance if you can afford it.  Payment for part A and B is too much for many; therefore, medication may be omitted especially if the choice is food or medicine.

The Medicare healthcare scare is real.  What began as a "free" low cost comprehensive health program for the elderly has become a high cost less inclusive health plan for limited income retirees and peopele with disabilities.  Medicare solvency concerns have led to predictions it will be in debt within the next fifty years or so.  In the meantime, price increases with less coverage seems to be the answer for over 60 million people in their retirement years.  Best health!

Medicare:  Will It Be There When You Need It? 

http://bit.ly/bhloV2