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.

Preventing one of the most tragic events!

Fall Prevention is a must!

Performing a home assessment is often the first step. This is often done in conjuntion with home care. Things to look at include the following.
1.In living area remove rugs,make larger clear paths, remove low coffee tables and remove soft furniture. Also, consider a lift device if person is unable to get up with ease. call 734-429-7444 for more info.
2. If there are steps in the house use railings.
3. In the bathroom use grab bars,bath seat raised toilet seat or handles and a non skid mat inside of the tub.
4. Kitchen safety is often forgotten. Some quick ideas include using an old fashion timer that can be kept in a pocket, wear long sleeves while cooking and consider having meals delivered. Meals on wheels is an excellent alternative to cooking. The next important point is that if you have any physical,hearing or vision issues always tell your doctor. They may have suggestions or alternatives. The last point to fall prevention is medication analysis. Falls are often related to medication. Always tell each doctor you visit what medications your on espically if you see multiple doctors. Also, having your pharmacist look over your medication list regularly is important. there may be medicaitons that contraindicate one another.

October in Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I'm so excited October is Breast Cancer Awareness month...
I will be focusing on breast cancer education for the entire month of October. If you have any particular interest please email me...I will do all the research and write about the topic! I will be giving away a free gift jsut for stopping by my office to say hi the entire month.
For more info visit www.oxygenplusmichigan.com

The infamous discussion on Swine Flu..

What is the SWINE FLU?

The swine flu is caused by a type A influenza virus. It's a respiratory disease originating first in pigs. This particular influenza virus has mutated so it is infectious now to humans. Because it originated in pigs humans do not have immunity. There has been conversation about it being pandemic. Pandemic mean"world-wide". United States is not yet involved in the pandemic. You can get the flu if someone coughs or sneezes in close proximity to you or if you touch a contaminated surface. The flu can be passed up to seven days after becoming infected of which the first two days may be without symptoms. So many may not even know they are infectious until it is to late.

Signs and symptoms are fever, cough,sore throat,body aches, chills and a temperature. The big warning is if a fever returns within 24-48 hours. The best prevention of spreading a virus is to stay home and away from other people when feeling any signs or symptoms. Other things to consider is to get plenty of rest, exercise often, manage stress, eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids.The best prevention from getting the swine flu or any other flu is to handwash as often as possible. The vaccine is developed much like the original flu vaccine. It will be available mid October. Pregnant women and children will be the first to receive it. Also available will be the nose mist. If your child is 10 years old or under they will require two shots. Remember the best prevention of any virus is to HANDWASH.
For more info visit CDC or www.oxygenplusmichigan.com

So many people suffer from ARTHRITIS..what do you need to know?

Currently, 46 million people suffer from arthritis. This disease costs the US economy approximately $128 billion per year. Arthritis occurs more often as people age. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in people age 60 and older. So what is Arthritis ? Simply put arthritis is inflammation of a joint or joints. Arthritis slowly destroys the cushioning cartilage around a joint. The cartilage begins to breakdown, causing the bones in the joint to come into contact with one another. This is what cause inflammation,pain and the bones to rub against one another.
There are several types of arthritis. Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are among the most talked about. Osteoarthritis is the most common form. Ninety percent of people over 40 have signs of osteoarthritis. Symptoms include persistent joint pain,inflammation,joint pain aggravated by activity,joint stiffness in the morning,fatigue,poor posture and loss of flexibility in a joint. Common risk factors include:wear and tear,age,heredity,obesity,injury and lack of physical activity. Normally an x-ray may be used to diagnosis and treat common types of arthritis.
There is no cure for arthritis but it can be managed. Weight control and exercise is one of the best things someone can do. Stretching increases flexibility which helps to support the joints. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Pain relievers help to ease pain but do not help with swelling and inflammation. thermal therapy relax muscles and help relieve deep pain. There are certain braces and splints that can provide heat directly to the joint. Therall is a popular arthritis line. They have heat pads,relief creams,warmers and patches. For more info visit www.arthritis.org or www.arthritis.com

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Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

It seems daily people are confused as to what insurance they really have. The first thing individuals should do is review their policy if they do not understand the coverage call the 800 number on the back of the insurance card. Never automatically assume that you have medicare just because you have a medicare card ! It is common to have medicare and then a medicare advantage policy for insurance coverage.

Medicare advantage plans are extremly popular these days. Most of the older population have medicare or medicare advantage. These two names are NOT the same. For example, most private insurance companies have their own medicare advantage plan. What does that mean? Medicare (the government) has said that they will allow for private insurance companies to offer coverage to seniors who would normally have traditional medicare. This allows for private insurance companies to bill premiums,collect copays or deductibles and then they pay the claims submitted. Obviously, this benefits everyone. People are given other choices than Medicare and it allows private insurance to "compete" in this market.

If someone has a medicare advantage plan that means the insurance company that provides that policy is who collects the premium and pays the claims. Lets use BCBSM as an example. If someone has Medicare plus blue the person pays BCBSM for the policy and they in return pay the claim. Now to confuse things more most of these claims are billed to a contracted area of BCBSM not to BCBSM directly. The provider that is supplying the service or product should call the provider number on the back of the card to find out where the claim should be sent. In the case of BCBSM most of the medicare advantage claims go to Dmension Benefit. In addition, these claims are paper submitted unlike Medicare claims which are all sent electronic.

Medicare and medicare advantage plans cover similar services but not always the exact services. The policies do vary in coverage and premium price. Medicare only covers 80% of services. Most people have secondary insurance plans that they pay to cover the 20% leftover.

Medicare advantage plans typically pay 90% of services.

For questions regarding either of these insurances please contact www.medicare.gov or www.bcbsm.com. In addition you can contact www.oxygenplusmichigan.com if you have specific questions on home medical euquipment that may be needed.