What you should know about your Medicare B benefits

If you are a medicare recipent make sure to review your coverage benefits.
Starting January 2010 the deductible amount will be $155.00 a year. Which means until you hit $155.00 you will be responsible for charges incurred. Coinsurance will still be 20%. Remember, Medicare covers only 80% of your charges. Medicare part B is for equipment and supplies. Please contact medicare for questions regarding your policy. For medical equipment and supplies questions call www.oxygenplusmichigan.com

November 19th The great American Smoke out!

Tobacco use contributed to more than 438,000 premature deaths in the United States annually between 1997 and 2001 per CMS. Additionally, tobacco continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Smoking can attribute to and exacerbate heart disease, stroke, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and cataracts.

Did you know Medicare provides coverage of smoking and tobacco-use cessation counseling for beneficiaries who use tobacco and have a disease or adverse health effect linked to tobacco use, or who take certain therapeutic agents whose metabolism or dosage is affected by tobacco use.

If you have private insurance please contact them for coverage of smoking and tobacco-use cessation. For more information contact Oxygen Plus Medical Equipment and Supplies.
www.oxygenplusmichigan.com

Holiday giving...

With the holidays fast approaching there is always the question who needs help this year?

In a recent article in the heritage newspaper there was an article on holiday giving. This year the food pantries have seen a 50% increase in the amount of people they are helping. If you are looking to help your local community please contact your local food pantry. For example, in Saline it SASS or Saline Area Social Service. Visit http://www.salinesocialservice.com/ for more information. Oxygenplus Medical Equipment and Supplies will be collecting food for the food pantry. Feel free to stop by with any dry foods or monetary donations. Please visit www.oxygenplusmichigan.com for more information. We hope to collect enough food for at least 10 meals.

Tips for holiday caregiving!

Here is a great article by Angil Tarach...
http://angiltarachrn.blogspot.com/2009/11/8-holiday-tips-when-caring-for-loved.html

FDA Public Health Advisory

Do you have a circulatory disease like diabetes resulting in chronic pain?



The FDA and Consumer Product Safety Commission have received many reports of injury and deaths from burns,electric shock, and fires associated with the use of heating pads. An electric heating pad is usually used to treat sore muscles or joints; however, it can cause harm if not used properly. A heating pad can be dangerous for patients with decreased temperature sensation,diabetes,spinal cord injuries, patients taking medications or patients using oxygen.

NEVER...use on an infant, a person who is parayzed, a person who is sleeping or a person on oxygen. The HTP-1500 Heat therapy pump is the safest alternative. If patients suffer from chronic pain and require regular treatment periods exceeding 30 minutes,have diabetes, are on oxygen or are incontinent they may qualify for the heat therapy pump. Medicare recognizes the heat therapy pump as a covered benefit. Obviously, the necessary paperwork applies including a prescription from the physician showing medical neccessity. Please contact www.oxygenplusmichigan.com for more info on medical equipment or diabetes information.

November is Diabetes Month

Studies have shown that over twenty four million people in the US suffer from some form of diabetes. There are several complications to consider. They include heart disease, blindness, glaucoma, nerve damage, and kidney damage. However, early detection and treatment may help prevent or delay many of the complications.
Risk factors include having high blood pressure, having history of diabetes or having diabetes during pregnancy.

Warning signs are being very thirsty, urinating often and losing weight without trying. If you are experiencing any of these signs consult your physician immediately.

Consult your insurance to verify what detection and treatment services are available. It is very important to pay attention to your eyes and feet if your diagnosed already. Products available are diabetic strips, glucometers, diabetic shoes and magnifying aids. Many diabetic supplies are a covered benefit with most insurance plans.

Visit www.diabetes.org or www.oxygenplusmichigan.com for more info on diabetes.