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4 Budgeting Tips for a Worry-Free Retirement

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Greg
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4 budgeting tip for retirement

Many retirees worry about how long their retirement funds will last. Inflation, unexpected expenses, and recurring recessions aren’t very encouraging. However, there are many ways to increase the odds that your money will last as long as you need it. This takes some financial planning and trustworthy advice. SeniorAffair shares the following tips to get started.

Boost your income

You don’t have to return to the workforce full-time to earn a bit of extra money. Instead, you can take advantage of the gig economy to get some part-time flexible work. Do you have a hobby or a professional background that could translate into freelance services? For example, if you have experience with web design, you can help build websites for small businesses or friends who need them. If you’re good with words, consider writing for a blog or offering book editing services. You can advertise these through an online job board where potential clients can weigh delivery time, cost, and reviews before hiring you. 

Keep up healthy habits

Getting sick can be as expensive as it is miserable. By eating well and staying active, you can minimize your risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, and other health problems. If you haven’t already, consider adding yoga, strength training, and some form of cardiovascular exercise (such as walking) to your routine. Strength training is a particularly effective way to “age-proof” yourself against injuries, declines in muscle mass, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In addition to saving you money, healthy living will help you feel better and enjoy life.

Get organized

A budget is one of the best tools for managing money, whatever your age. It sounds simple, and we all know we should stick to a budget, but developing a useful one is easier said than done. If you’re not already well-organized, the financial details can be overwhelming. Consider using online resources, budgeting apps, or even a good old-fashioned paper ledger. The important thing is that you find a system that works for you. Having a clear picture of where you stand will help you make the right adjustments, if necessary.

The quicker that you can get organized, the easier it’s going to be to keep track of everything. You don’t want to end up having to refinance your home and searching out the advice of professionals like Reed Pirain because you didn’t get organized early enough and you let your finances run loose. If you do end up having to do this, make sure that you do it early enough that you can build up your finances again before retirement hits.

Downsize expenses

If you’re on a fixed income and want financial wiggle room, you may need to trim down some of your expenses. Take a look at your biggest costs, and see if you can make any money-saving changes. For example, if you feel that you have more house than you need, you can downsize to a fun condo or townhouse with a lower mortgage. Car ownership is also a big monthly expense. If you and your partner both have cars, consider selling one and sharing a vehicle.

Another big expense for seniors is food. Convenience costs money, and if you have the time and skills to produce your own food, you can save more than you might realize. If you’re a keen gardener with some homesteading skills, consider growing your own vegetables and purchasing bulk ingredients rather than buying expensive processed foods. This can be a healthy, enjoyable, and eco-friendly way to save money. You can maximize savings even further by growing fruits and veggies that are easy to can and preserve.

With some planning, advice, and smart choices, you may be able to both increase your standard of living and extend the amount of time that your retirement funds will last. A good financial plan will bring you peace of mind and ensure that you and your loved ones are set for the rest of your lives. Then, you can focus on enjoying your golden years to the fullest.

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6 Steps for Making Your Home More Business Friendly

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Greg
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6 steps for making your home more business friendly

With more boomers working from home, many houses do not have what is needed for success. Often, home businesses require only minimal changes, but sometimes issues with layout, space, or decor may prompt homeowners to search for another location. Whether you are staying put or looking for something new, take these strategic steps from Senior Affair to create a business-friendly home.

1. Determine Your Needs

Depending on your business needs, you may have to make changes. For example, if you need a workshop, you could create this space in your garage. If you need an office, one of the spare rooms in your home may be sufficient. If you meet clients in the space, that will affect how you design and present it as well. For instance, a separate entrance, extra seating, and dedicated parking might be in order; Real Homes points out that for some people, a separate structure like a garden office might be in order. Brainstorm the most efficient ways to give you the right space and develop a plan to create it.

2. Establish a Budget

Once you have a plan, start crunching numbers. If you need to remodel the space by adding insulation, bookshelves, or a kitchenette, weigh the costs of hiring a handyman versus making changes on your own. Remember to keep your budget realistic. Maybe you cannot afford to replumb for a guest restroom, but you can afford LED lights to change the ambiance. Prioritize your budget by allocating more to things that are absolute necessities, as described by Livable.

3. Purchase the Right Furniture

No office space or workshop is complete without the right furniture. You’ll grow weary without the right chair to support you throughout your workday. If you thrive in an organized environment, purchasing storage bins and cabinets will keep your things neat. A tool board in your workshop will give you quick access to your most-needed tools. Incorporating a coffee bar into your office will give you easy access to your hourly coffee boost without the added distraction of walking to the kitchen. Furniture will play an incredibly important role in comfort, focus and efficiency.

4. Decorate

Decorations allow you to create a space that encourages positivity. For example, if your favorite shade of yellow gives you an energy boost, repainting the walls or adding yellow accents will enhance your office space. If staring at your puppy all day will help to relieve stress, hang a picture of him within sight. Adding decorations that make your office enjoyable will allow you to thrive for hours. Maximize focus by steering clear of any distracting decorations.

5. Search for a New Home

If you find your current home does not give you the rooms, features, or space you need to run an effective business, searching for a new home may be the right choice. Many newly built houses include a home office. If you opt for an older home, you may need to search for one with an extra bedroom, living area, or garage.

You could even look for a home that has an outbuilding to use as an office where you can concentrate more easily on work and even meet clients without having to bring them into the house. Physically meeting up with clients could be useful for helping to build trust and secure sales. As Caitlin Brodie explains, such meetups can also be important when seeking funding from investors or donors.

In your hunt for an affordable home of “as is” sales, always complete an inspection before purchasing a home. This will reveal structural damage to the home. Often a seller will not fix these upon closing, and the cost of fixing structural damage can add up for the buyer. Working with a real estate agent can help you find a home that suits your business, financial, and family needs.

6. Focus on Your Business

After putting your heart and soul into selecting the perfect spot for business and pleasure, it’s time to start focusing on building and growing your business. If your business is new, start with the basics, like selecting a business name and establishing a legal business entity.  Once those tasks are complete, you can start marketing your product or service. There are resources out there that will walk you through how to start a business website for free, including buying and hosting the domain and choosing and customizing a template to tell your business’ story.

Having a home business is highly rewarding and requires a quality work area. Creating a space within your home or purchasing a new home can provide higher levels of focus, positivity, and creativity, which will likely compensate you through your business’s success.

Guest Post by: Tina Martin @ http://ideaspired.com

Originally published August 25, 2021

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Dental Insurance for Seniors Is It Worth it? 5 Facts to Consider.

By
Greg
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5 Facts to Determine Is Senior Dental Insurance Worth it?

If you’ve been wondering if getting a senior dental plan is worth it or the best dental insurance for seniors is, this article offers five facts to help you make your decision.

What is Affordable Dental Care for Seniors?

Staying healthy as you get older means being proactive about your dental care. Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover dental, and most employers don’t include dental insurance in retirement packages, so you’ll probably be paying out of pocket for dental care.

So you might be tempted to skip those regular dental visits. Maybe you think regular dental care is just for kids. Or you have dentures, bridges, or dental implants and figure you’re finally done with dental appointments. You might even think you’ll never be able to afford all the dental work you need, so why bother seeing a dentist?

But no matter whether the teeth in your mouth are natural or replacements or what condition your smile is in, you need to see the dentist regularly. Neglecting your dental health takes a significant toll on the body. Untreated gum infections and dental decay can cause or worsen chronic health conditions like diabetes, rheumatism, stroke, and heart disease. Plus, missing teeth or ill-fitting bridges and dentures can cause chronic pain, interfere with your ability to eat nutritious food, make it difficult to sleep and make it hard to enjoy life.

It’s essential to find a way to get the quality dental care you deserve at a price you can afford. Check out your options below.

If You Can’t Afford to Pay Anything for Dental

If your budget doesn’t allow you to see the dentist, look for free care opportunities in your community. A great place to start is Oral Health America’s “Tooth Wisdom” website. Oral Health America is a non-profit organization that aims to help seniors get affordable dental care from local dentists, healthcare clinics, and dental schools.

Also, check out the Dental Lifeline Network. This national charitable organization helps older people connect with healthcare providers that have pledged to offer seniors low-cost or no-cost dental care. To find out more, visit their website.

Medicare and Dental Insurance

Many seniors are surprised to discover that Medicare does not cover dental unless specifically required as part of a medical procedure. Even then, Medicare will only cover precisely what you need medically and no more.

Medicare does cover: 

  • Medically required dental exams before getting kidney transplants or heart valve replacement procedures.
  • Dental treatment is required for a jaw disease or injury (such as a fractured jaw).
  • Severe oral infection requiring hospitalization.
  • Dental procedures must be conducted in the hospital due to an existing and life-threatening medical condition.

If you’re eligible for or receiving Medicare, there are four ways to reduce your dental care costs:

Below we’ll look at the drawbacks and benefits of each type of plan. 

Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans

Medigap is supplementary insurance that covers many of Medicare’s co-pays and co-insurance costs, reducing your out-of-pocket payments. Medigap does not cover dental, but some plans offer dental insurance as an add-on. A “Plan F” Medigap plan, which offers the most extensive coverage, is about $50 per month and has a deductible of about $2000.

Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans available to people who qualify for Medicare. These plans must provide all of the services that Original Medicare covers, except hospice care, and typically include coverage for issues Medicare does not cover, such as dental. A Medicare Advantage plan costs about $30 a month.

Medicare’s website has detailed information on Medigap and Medicare Advantage coverage. When comparing plans on the Medicare site, you can easily find plans that include dental by looking for a blue-colored circle marked with “D.” (Circles with “V” or “H” indicate plans that offer vision and hearing coverage.)

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or log into your MyMedicare account for more information.

Traditional Dental Insurance

Dental insurance was designed to save people money on preventive dental care – specifically, regular checkups and cleanings. Dental insurance is an excellent option if your teeth and gums are healthy and your dental care costs tend to be low ($300-$500 annually). Most dental insurance plans pay 100% of the cost of preventive care, 50% of the cost of primary care (such as a filling or root canal), and 20% of restorative care costs (such as dental bridges or dentures).

You can purchase any standalone dental insurance plan you choose, Medicare doesn’t cover dental, so there’s no conflict. Dental insurance costs about $30 a month. But it’s important to remember that dental insurance typically has a deductible of $50-$$75 and an annual spending limit of $1000-$1500. After you exceed the limit, you pay full price out-of-pocket for dental care. Look at the prices below, and you can see that your dental insurance allowance can be exhausted pretty quickly!  

Average costs of dental care: 

  • Root canal: $700-$900
  • Crown: $1000
  • Dental bridge: $500 – $1200+
  • Dentures: $1275-$2750 per upper or lower denture plate
  • Dental implants: $1,700 per tooth

There is also a waiting period – from 6 months to a year – before your dental insurance will cover the costlier dental procedures such as those listed above. So, if you’ve been holding off on purchasing insurance until the very last minute – sorry, you’re out of luck.

But here’s a tip: if your employer provides dental and you’re retiring soon, look for a plan that waives the waiting period if you’ve had dental coverage within 30 days of joining the new plan. And make sure to get all of your dental care done ASAP before retiring – new insurance plans often don’t cover pre-existing conditions or dental work in progress.

When considering those annual maximum limits, deductibles, and waiting periods, you may decide that dental insurance isn’t the best choice. Financial experts like Suze Orman suggest seniors join a dental savings plan.

Dental Savings Plans for Seniors

Dental savings plans, also known as dental discount plans, are an affordable alternative to dental insurance.

To join a plan, you pay an annual membership fee (plans start at $79.99) to gain access to a network of participating dentists and dental specialists that give plan members discounts of 10%-60% on dental care.

You pay the discounted fee to a participating dentist right when you get treatment. No waiting for reimbursements or approvals – and no spending limits either. You can use your plan to save on dental care as often as you wish. And if you’ve been waiting to get care for a long-term dental problem or experience a dental emergency – here’s some great news: dental savings plans activate quickly (within 72 hours of joining the plan). You start saving on your dental care when your plan is activated. No waiting!  

Everyone qualifies for a dental savings plan. There are no age, financial, or health restrictions. Many plans on dentalplans.com include savings on vision and hearing care and discounts on prescription medications, among other health services.

Remember: no matter your financial situation, you can’t afford to skip seeing the dentist! Find out more about dental discount plans at dentalplans.com or by calling 833-399-0815.       

What’s the Difference Between Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B?

By
Greg
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What's the Difference Between Medicare Part and Medicare Part B?

When you qualify for Medicare, usually it’s Medicare Part A and Part B that you’re first enrolled. Original Medicare consists of two components: Medicare Part A and Part B. If you get admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A will help pay your costs. Medicare Part B may help pay for doctor visits, preventive services, lab tests, medical equipment and supplies, and more.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and limited home healthcare services. You’ll typically pay a deductible and coinsurance and copayments.

Do you have to pay a Part A Premium?

Many people don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. For example, if you worked at least ten years (40 quarters) while paying taxes, you don’t pay a premium for Part A. If you worked for fewer than 30 quarters, you generally pay $471 per month in 2021. If you worked more than 30 but fewer than 40 quarters, your premium is $259 per month in 2021.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It generally covers services and items such as:

  • Doctor office visits
  • Preventive services, such as specific tests and screenings
  • Flu shots
  • Pneumococcal shots
  • Mental health care (outpatient)
  • Alcohol use counseling
  • Chemotherapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Diabetes screenings, supplies, and self-management therapy
  • Durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs

This list is not complete. Part B could still cover many other services and items, but specific coverage rules apply. For example, providers must accept Medicare assignment (a payment agreement with Medicare), and certain items and services must be medically necessary.

Under Part B, in most cases, you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each item or service. A deductible may also apply.

Do you have to pay a Part B premium?

Your Part B premium may be the “standard” amount.

You might pay a higher Part B premium if your income is above a certain amount (based on your income tax returns from two years ago).

Can you ever get both Part A and Part B coverage at the same time?

When you’re an inpatient in a hospital, you can get Part A and Part B coverage simultaneously. For example, while Part A generally covers medically necessary surgery and certain hospital costs, Part B may cover doctor visits while you’re an inpatient.

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Did you know there’s another way to get your Part A and Part B coverage? A Medicare Advantage plan delivers these benefits and often more. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans. You must pay your Medicare Part B premium when you have a Medicare Advantage plan and any premium the plan might charge.

What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

By
Greg
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What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

Table of contents

Medicare Part A is also known as hospital insurance.

Note – Keep in mind that this may differ if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or another Medicare plan; however, your plan has to give you the same coverage you’d get if you have Original Medicare.

 In some cases, your policy may not cover some services. 

In general, Part A covers: 

  • Inpatient care in a hospital
  • Skilled nursing facility care
  • Nursing home care (inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility that’s not custodial or long-term care. 
  • Hospice care
  • Home health care

Here are two ways to determine if Medicare covers your needed service.

1.) Ask your doctor about the services you need and if Medicare will cover them. They may ask you to sign a notice that you may have to pay out-of-pocket for the item or service. 

2.) Check out this list to see if it’s covered. 

 Medicare Part A coverage is based on these three factors.

1.) Federal and state laws

2.) National coverage decisions made by Medicare about what is covered. 

3.) Local coverage decisions are made by companies in every state that process claims for Medicare. These companies can decide if something is medically necessary and if they’ll cover it in their geographic area. 

When Does Medicare Part A Cover Inpatient Hospital care?

  • When you get admitted to the hospital after getting a referral from your doctor stating that you need inpatient hospital care for treatment.
  • The hospital must accept Medicare.
  • Sometimes the hospital will have programs that allow you to stay while you’re at their hospital. 

Medicare and Coronavirus

Note: Medicare covers the Covid-19 vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Just be sure to bring your Medicare card. 

Suppose you have Medicare and, due to a disability or another challenge, cannot make it to a vaccination site. In that case, Medicare will pay a doctor or another provider to give you to Covid-19 vaccine at your home. You may have to provide your Medicare number for billing, but it’s fully covered. Get details about getting the vaccine at home. 

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost?

Note – Keep in mind that your doctor may recommend that you get services more often than Medicare will cover them or recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover at all. When the happens, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for all or some of the costs. 

You should ask questions to understand why the doctor recommends the services thoroughly and if Medicare will cover them. 

You’ll pay this: 

  • $1,484 deductible for each benefit period. 
  • Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period. 
  • Days 61-90: $371 coinsurance per day for each benefit period
  • Days 91 and beyond: $742 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime) 
  • Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs. 

What’s Does Part A Cover? 

Medicare covers these services: 

  • Semi-private rooms
  • Meals
  • General nursing
  • Prescriptions as part of your inpatient treatment (including methadone to treat opioid use disorder. 
  • Other hospital services and supplies that you need for inpatient treatment. 

Important things to know.

Inpatient mental health care in a psychiatric hospital is limited to 190 days in your life.

Inpatient hospital care includes the care you get in: 

  • Long-term care hospitals
  • Critical access hospitals
  • Inpatient rehab facilities
  • Acute care hospitals
  • Inpatient care as part of a qualified clinical research study.

Combined with Medicare, Part B generally covers 80% of the amount that Medicare approves for doctor’s services that you get when you’re at the hospital. 

Not included:

Private duty nursing, private rooms (unless medically needed), television and phone in your room (if there is a separate charge for these items), and personal care items like razors or slipper socks. 

How Does Medicare Part A Cover Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care?

Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care and, in some cases, for a limited time (on a short-term basis) if you meet certain conditions: If you have Part A but have no days left in your benefit period to use and have a qualified hospital stay. 

If your doctor has decided that you need daily skilled care, it must be given by or under the supervision of a skilled nursing professional or therapy staff. 

You also need to get these skilled nursing services in a Medicare-certified SNF. 

Suppose you need these skilled nursing services for a medical condition. In that case, it has to be a hospital-related medical condition that can be treated during a 3-day qualified inpatient hospital stay, even if it’s for a different reason than the one that got you admitted. 

Part A covers you for a condition that starts while getting care in the skilled nursing facility for a hospital-related medical condition. For example, if you develop an infection requiring IV antibiotics while getting SNF care. 

How much does Skilled Nursing Care Cost in Original Medicare? 

You’ll pay:

  • Days 1-20 $0 for each benefit period. 
  • Days 21-100: $185.50 coinsurance per day for each benefit period
  • Days 101 and beyond: all costs

What is Skilled Nursing Care? 

Skilled care is nursing and therapy care performed by or supervised by highly trained and professional personnel. 

Medicare will cover some of these services: 

Semi-private room (you have to share with other patients)

  • Physical therapy (if needed)
  • Occupational therapy (if required)
  • Speech-language therapy 
  • Medical social services
  • Medication
  • Medical supplies and equipment used in the facility
  • Ambulance transportation (when necessary to the nearest location of services)
  • Dietary counseling
  • Swing bed services
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Meals

How Does Medicare Part A Cover Long-term Hospital Services? 

Medicare will cover the cost if you need to be in the hospital long-term.

How much does it cost for long-term hospital care with Medicare Part A?

You’ll pay: 

  • Days 1-60: $1,484 deductible 
  • Days 61-90: $371 coinsurance each day
  • Days 91 and beyond: $742 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day.” After day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime., 

You won’t have to pay a deductible for the care you get in a long-term care hospital if you already paid a deductible for the care you received in a prior hospitalization in the same benefit period. Instead, your benefits start on day one of your last hospital stay, and that stay counts towards your deductible. 

As an example: 

  • You get transferred to a long-term care hospital directly from an acute care hospital. 
  • You get admitted to a long-term care hospital within 60days of being discharged from the hospital.
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What is a Long-term Care Hospital? 

Long-term hospitals specialize in treating patients for more than 25 days. Some patients include people on a ventilator for an extended time or who have a head accident.

After being discharged from a long-term care hospital, most people get care in a skilled nursing facility or custodial care in a long-term care facility. 

Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic, you may be able to renew your SNF coverage without needing to start a new benefit period.

If you can’t be in your home during Covid-19 or affected by the pandemic, you can get SNF care without a qualifying hospital stay. 

5 Easy Ways Seniors Can Improve Their Home Now

By
Greg
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5 Easy Ways Seniors Can Improve Their Home Now

For many seniors and boomers approaching the glory days, the desire to stay in their homes and age gracefully and comfortably is a primary concern. 

In this Senior Affair article, we did some research and found some simple ways to improve your home and quality of life.

Remodeling Your Bathroom

Access to your bathroom and the ability to bath yourself and use the toilet may sound trivial but become struggles as we get older.

Remodeling a bathroom and shower can be a significant investment; it immediately makes your home more enjoyable, and over the long term, will raise your home’s value by thousands of dollars. 

When we think about remodeling, we imagine a time-consuming or costly event, but there are many small, low-cost projects you can tackle over time to make a huge impact. 

Were you thinking about upgrading a bathroom? Here are a few projects you can consider. 

Upgrade the Shower or Add a Walk-in Tub

Walk-in tubs offer the benefit of having easy access in and out of the tub; if you have mobility issues currently, this retrofit could be the item that keeps you aging at home. You can also get these walk-in tubs with hydrotherapy options, including jacuzzi jets, relaxing music, sounds, and lights.

Also, adding therapeutic options like built-in storage or seating has become functional and practical.

Improve your Lighting 

As we age, your eyes aren’t the same, and upgrading the lights in your home should also progress with age. Sometimes changing the fixture to smart lights or using LCD bulbs for extra value and convenience. Learn more about the latest in smart home technology here.

Heating and Cooling Upgrade

If you’ve lived in your home for 10+ years, it may be time to upgrade the heating and HVAC systems. Hiring a contractor for the installation is probably a good idea, but if you’re the DIY type, you might want to explore new solutions and install one on your own. 

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What are Senior Dental Savings Plans? 7 Things to Know.

By
Greg
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What are Senior Dental Savings Plans? 7 Things to Know.

Since Medicare supplement insurance plans don’t cover routine dental care facilities, you could choose another option for dental coverage for seniors and boomers to avoid paying out of pocket for expensive procedures. According to an estimate, about 50 million medical care beneficiaries want help paying for their oral and dental procedures.  

Coverage for regular care for your gums and teeth isn’t generally included in most medical insurance policies. Unfortunately, the government has very little financial assistance for seniors’ dental care for those who cannot afford these services.

 Moreover, there is no coverage for these procedures included in Original Medicare plans; it is by law.

As far as this guide is concerned, the main goal of Senior Affair is to help you identify and decide which dental plan suits your needs.

What Are The Best Dental Plans for Boomers and Seniors?

Most people want to have a single solution for this, but there isn’t one. Two factors will weigh heavily on your decision of what plan to choose:

The budget you have: When we retire, for the most part, our income becomes fixed. So, before considering any healthcare policy, you need to consider the following things:

  • Cost of your plan (monthly and annually)
  • The amount you can pay easily for the deductible.

Also, you could end up paying less when you visit the dentist, but you have to pay every month for the policy. As per the calculations, dental insurance will not be a big deal. There is also an alternative to this insurance, and that is the dental discount card. This, not insurance, but it is a plan in which prices or rates are pre-negotiated.

The Need to have Dental Work

The other factor is that how much you need dental work and when needed. If you think that there is a need that you need to visit the dentist, do not wait; show your card and get a saving of up to 20-60%.

There are some options for seniors and have four choices:

  • Paying the total amount each time on every visit to the dentist
  • Joining a Dental Savings Plan & paying up to 20-60% of the total cost
  • Dental insurance limiting the coverage

It is not an intelligent thing to pay the total amount for dental care. If you cannot afford dental insurance, you can enroll yourself in a Dental Saving Plan (DSP). And if you can afford it, then understand the limitations that dental insurances have.

Choosing a Dental Insurance Plan

Dental saving plans are clear and straightforward, but dental insurance is not the same thing. Dental insurance usually contains the limits (lifetime or annual), work class limits, and co-insurances. It’s not hard to find the perfect plan for your dental care. Still, it takes some time and research, and it starts with understanding the different policies that the companies offer.

Classification of Dental Insurance Work 

Most dental plans have their coverage divided into various classes, making it easy to understand what is being covered and what isn’t. The standard categories or classes are as follows:

Class 1: This is preventive dental care, including the basic dental checkup, cleaning, and radiographic imaging. Most of these plans cover up to 100% of the costs of these procedures.

Class 2: In this case, primary restoration dentistry is done, and it has dental fillings, dental root canals works, and other oral work. Mostly these plans cover up to 80% of the expenses of these procedures.

Class 3: Basically, this is a primary restorative dental care most needed by seniors and boomers and includes the bridges, crowns, fillings, and denatures. Some of the plans cover up to 50%, while some plans do not cover it.

Class 4: This includes orthodontic services, implants, braces, and pulling out of teeth. Some plans cover only a fraction of the total cost of these procedures.

Compare Prices and Coverage

It would be best if you compared the various plans to get the best policy. If you want the best plan, focus on the coverage and cost of visiting the doctor and hospital. 

Research Your Local Networks

When you decide on the plan that you want, reach out to your local dentist to see if they will accept it or not. Because dental insurance is not universal, your dentist may not accept the plan. So you may want to verify with him first before switching to any particular dental plan. 

Read the Fine Print

Every insurance plan related to dental health is different because these are not as standardized as the Medicare plans are. Hence, it’s critical that you thoroughly read the terms and conditions of the coverage and fully understand what the programs are offering. Moreover, it is also essential to understand the limitations that a policy has.

Medicare Advantage Plan Dental Options

A few national Medicare Advantage plans and a growing number of regional plans offer dental coverage. It’s most commonly found in HMO and PPO plans as an option, with a corresponding uplift in your monthly premium.

Other Available Resources:

There are specific clinics that will see them for seniors and boomers who can’t afford insurance and cannot pay but still need dental care services.

  • Medicaid: In some areas, Medicaid usually supports some dental services; to qualify for Medicaid, your income must be lower than the primary poverty line.
  • Cheap or Free Clinics: There are some dental clinics in many states, mainly in the rural areas, that offer the subsidized or free dental services.
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): These also offer care to seniors. These are clinics usually located in less developed areas. Individuals having the basics Medicare advantages are eligible for services from them.
  • Community Health Centers: – These institutions are funded by private agencies or government administrations like the Health Resources and Services Administration. They provide cheaper or free dental care services.
  • Dental Schools: These also provide cheaper dental care services by the students, but the licensed dentists strictly supervise these.

DentalPlans.com happens to be one of these companies that offers dental savings plans. This would be considered a savings plan which is NOT insurance. The discounts only apply to dentists who participate in the program. If you want to check if your provider participates, you can check it here.

There is no paperwork or reimbursement; you still have to pay for the service when it’s provided; you will recieve a discount off the provider’s usual or customary fees when you pay. We encourage you to check with your provider before getting treatment. Not all plans are offered in every market.

Senior Affair “the Internet Affiliate”) is an independent contractor for Dentalplans.com, Inc., and provides internet affiliate services via the internet. They may earn financial compensation from Dentalplans.com, Inc.

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Type 2 Diabetes: What Are the Symptoms, Signs, and Complications? 10 Facts to Know

By
Greg
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Type 2 Diabetes: What Are the Symptoms, Signs, and Complications? 10 Facts to Know

Have you been wondering what the symptoms, signs, and complications of Type 2 diabetes are? In this Senior Affair article, we break down ten crucial facts.

Type 2 Diabetes can affect people of all ages. Unfortunately, it’s easy to miss the early symptoms, so sometimes, people won’t even know they have a condition.

The estimates show that 1 out of every three people suffer from the early stages but may not be aware.

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates for energy, causing high levels of blood sugar.

Having these increased blood sugar levels leads to significant health issues.

Some problems that can occur:

  • Nerve problems
  • Vision loss
  • Joint deformities
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetic coma (life-threatening) 

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Thirst

Even though people with Type 2 diabetes may not have the same specific symptoms, increased thirst is a characteristic. The increased thirst can be accompanied by other symptoms like frequent urination, starving, dry mouth, weight gain, or loss. 

Headaches

Other symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue. 

Infections

Unfortunately, many people discover they have a condition when certain infections and sores take an unusually long time to heal, frequent yeast infections, itchy skin, and urinary tract infections. 

Sexual Disfunction

Diabetes damages the blood vessels and nerves in the sex organs, decreasing sensation leading to difficulties reaching an orgasm. Symptoms like vaginal dryness in women and impotence in men are complications you could face. They estimate that between 35% and 70% of men with diabetes will have impotence. The statistics for women are about 33% of women with diabetes will have sexual problems as well. 

Are You At Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

Certain risk factors related to your lifestyle choice and medical condition can increase your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. These are: 

  • Cigarette smoking
  • Being overweight or obese, especially around your waist.
  • Lack of exercise
  • Consuming a diet that’s high in processed meat, fat, sweets, and red meats. 
  • Triglyceride levels over 250 mg/dl
  • Having low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. (below 35 mg/dl)

Can you Inherit Type 2 Diabetes?

We can’t control some things, like our parents or siblings and specific demographics have a higher average risk factor. If your family is Hispanic, Native American, Asian, or African American, this will also increase your risk. If you’re over 45 years old, you’ll have a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than younger people. 

What are Women’s Type 2 Diabetes Risks? 

If you develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you’ll have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in your life. The risk is the same for women who have babies larger than 9 pounds. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Insulin resistance is a characteristic in this condition, developing multiple small cysts in the ovaries, irregular periods, and high androgen hormones.

How Does Insulin Work?

Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to turn glucose into energy efficiently. After your body breaks down the carbohydrates, it’s converted into sugar in your stomach, and glucose enters your system, stimulating the pancreas to release the proper amount of insulin. Thus, insulin allows the body’s cells to use glucose as fuel. 

Insulin Resistance

In Type 2 Diabetes, the body cannot convert the glucose properly, leading to high glucose levels in the blood. Insulin resistance means that even though the body can produce insulin, the body’s cells don’t appropriately to the insulin being made. So, over time, the pancreas reduces the amount of insulin it produces. 

How is Diabetes Diagnosed? 

You can take a hemoglobin A1c test to measure the amount of hemoglobin bound to glucose in your blood, providing information about your average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. 

Hemoglobin A1c levels over 6.5% are indicative of diabetes. Another test you can take is the fasting blood glucose test. If your fasting blood glucose level is over 126, this affirms that diabetes is present. Likewise, anytime random blood glucose levels are over 200, this is consistent with diabetes. 

Diabetes and Diet

Maintaining control over your blood sugar can help reduce complications from diabetes. Your doctor could refer you to a registered dietician counselor to help you create a healthy meal plan. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should monitor the number of carbohydrates, reduce the calories, and watch your fat and protein intake. 

Diabetes and Exercise

Regular exercise, including walking, can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood glucose levels. Physical activity also reduces body fat, lowers blood pressure, and helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. They recommend at least 30 minutes of activity multiple times per week. 

Reduce Stress

People with diabetes can benefit from simply reducing stress. Meditation, breathing exercises, and visualizations help manage the condition. Stress not only increases blood pressure but also increases blood glucose levels. Try plugging into social support networks, talk to your family or friends or join a church. 

Oral Medications

Many doctors recommend that people with type 2 diabetes who cannot adequately control their blood sugar with proper diet and exercise take oral diabetes medications. 

Different combinations of these pills will help increase insulin production or improve your body’s insulin use, while others partially block the digestion of starches. Again, your doctor can help with this recommendation. 

Insulin

Some people with type 2 diabetes also take insulin in combination with oral medications. They also use insulin for a condition called “beta-cell failure,” when your pancreas no longer produces insulin in response to elevated blood glucose, which happens with type 2 diabetes. If insulin isn’t created, insulin treatment is necessary. 

Non-Insulin Injections

There are other non-insulin drugs that you can inject to treat type 2 diabetes. Examples of these are liraglutide (Victoza), pramlintide (Symlin), exenatide (Byetta). These drugs stimulate the release of insulin. 

Testing Your Blood Sugar

Your doctor can help suggest how often you should test your blood glucose level. In addition, testing helps to give you an idea if your management plan is working or if it needs to be changed. Typical times to test blood sugar is:

  • First thing in the morning
  • Before and after meals
  • Before and after exercise
  • Before bed

Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Attacks

Over time the elevated blood sugar levels will damage your blood vessels, which leads to an increased risk of blood clots, increasing the risk of a heart attack. As a result, around two out of every three diabetics die of heart disease. People with diabetes are also at increased risk for stroke because of the damage to the blood vessels. 

Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease over time. 

Diabetes is the most common cause of renal failure, making up about 44% of cases. Keeping your diabetes under control can reduce the risk of kidney failure. Doctors prescribe medications to reduce the risk of kidney disease in diabetics. 

Type 2 Diabetes and Your Eyes

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina of your eye due to high blood sugar levels over time which can cause progressive and permanent vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of new blindness in people between 20 and 74. 

Nerve Pain Caused By Type 2 Diabetes

The tingling, numbness, and the sensation of “pins and needles” are all symptoms of diabetic neuropathy – meaning nerve damage related to diabetes. The most common is in the hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Controlling diabetes can help prevent this complication. 

Foot Conditions and Type 2 Diabetes

Damage to blood vessels can reduce circulation in the feet of diabetics, making it hard to feel injuries, resulting in sores not healing correctly and even gangrene. In addition, amputation may be the result of severe cases. 

How Do You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is preventable and 100% reversible. It’s possible to reduce the number of complications of diabetes by eating a healthy diet, getting moderate exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. If you are at risk, regularly screening yourself for diabetes or prediabetes can alert you if a condition develops, and you can implement a management plan to reduce the risk of long-term problems. In addition, programs like Help Your Diabetes can help you reverse type 2 diabetes with their patented program. 

F.A.Q.

What is usually the first sign of diabetes?

 Early signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include conditions that can include frequently urinating, increased thirst, feeling tired and hungry, vision problems, slow wound healing, and yeast infections. In addition, type 2 diabetes causes high blood sugar levels.

What are the six symptoms of diabetes?

1.) Unexplained weight loss
2.) Fatigue
3.) Increased thirst
4.) Increased hunger
5.) Increased urination
6.) Blurred vision

Can you get rid of diabetes?

Even though there is no known cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be controlled. And in some cases, it goes into remission. For most people, a diabetes-healthy lifestyle is enough to control their blood sugar levels. For example, consuming a proper diet and moderate exercise can reverse diabetes.

What are the three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

Having extreme thirst, feeling dry mouth and hunger, needing to urinate more often, and feeling tired with wounds not healing at the same pace.

Does Medicare Cover Podiatry? 5 Fast Facts

By
Greg
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0
does medicare cover podiatry

Did you know the average person walks 100,000 miles over a lifetime? No wonder foot problems should cost the U.S. $3.5 billion in health care costs every year.

The excellent news is podiatrists can help. Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in problems of the foot and ankle.

If you’re dealing with a foot problem, you may wonder, does Medicare cover podiatry? Today, we’re answering that question and more in this article. 

Ready to finally get the care you need to get back on your feet? Then keep reading for everything you need to know about podiatry, routine foot care, and what Medicare covers.

Does Medicare Cover Podiatry?

The first thing to understand about Medicare and podiatry is the difference between podiatry and routine foot care.

Podiatry requires a specialized physician to perform medical foot care. Meanwhile, routine foot care includes filing down calluses, treating flat feet, and clipping nails. 

Medicare tends to cover medically necessary treatments performed by a specialist. Medicare only covers routine foot care in some instances. 

Medicare Coverage For Routine Foot Care

Routine foot care you receive unrelated to an underlying foot condition is routine care. Medicare does not cover most types of routine foot care. 

Medicare may cover the care if routine foot care is a part of managing or treating a medically necessary foot condition. However, a podiatrist must perform the treatment in both in-patient and out-patient settings. 

Medicare Coverage For Podiatric Care

You can receive in-patient and out-patient podiatric care coverage under Medicare Part A and Part B, respectively. 

You must see a physician at a Medicare-approved healthcare facility for the former. If you choose to visit a specialist’s office or receive care in your home, Medicare Part B will cover the care.

Medicare Part B provides coverage for:

  • Diabetes -related nerve damage
  • Foot injuries
  • Foot diseases, including hammertoe, bunion deformities, and heel spurs

Remember that your doctor must deem any outpatient podiatric services medically necessary to qualify for Part B Medicare coverage. You must also have seen a doctor at least six months before your first podiatric treatment and have documents to prove it. 

Once you submit the required documentation, Medicare Part B will cover any foot exams and treatments you need. 

You’ll pay 20% coinsurance once you meet your Medicare Part B deductible for in-patient treatments. Out-patient treatments like those in a doctor’s office or at your home will also require a copay. 

So, does Medicare cover podiatry? The answer to this question depends on defining podiatry correctly. 

Medicare covers medically necessary treatments for foot injuries, diseases, and nerve damage related to a diabetes diagnosis. Medicare doesn’t cover routine foot care for bunions, flat feet, and other non-medically necessary foot services.

Now you should know if Medicare covers your foot condition, injury, or diabetes-related nerve damage.

Want to Contact an Agent about Medicare?

If you qualify for Medicare but don’t know where to start, we have licensed insurance agents ready to answer your questions and help you enroll in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and Prescription Part D plans.

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Does Medicare Cover Chemotherapy? 5 Things to Know.

By
Greg
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does-medicare-cover-cancer-treatment.

People new to Medicare and recently diagnosed with cancer wonder about their coverage. In this Senior Affair article, you’ll find out how Medicare covers chemotherapy.

1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women more than men. 

With cancer being so common, you aren’t alone in wondering: does Medicare cover chemotherapy? What about other cancer treatments and cancer drugs? Wonder no longer because we’re answering those questions for you today.

Ready to learn more about Medicare cancer coverage? Then keep reading because this one’s for you.

Does Medicare Cover Chemotherapy?

Yes, Medicare does cover chemo! Whether you have Original Medicare or a private Medicare Advantage plan, you can get coverage for inpatient and outpatient chemo treatments.

Inpatient Chemotherapy

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Part A will cover chemotherapy treatments you receive in a hospital. However, you must meet your deductible before Medicare starts paying out. 

Outpatient Chemotherapy

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Part B will cover outpatient chemotherapy treatments if you have cancer.

Part B covers 80% of the cost of chemo treatments you get at a freestanding clinic or a doctor’s office. Treatments you receive in your home or another outpatient setting will require a copay. 

Part B also covers the chemo treatments you get at a skilled nursing facility. Medicare will only pay for 100 days of professional nursing facility chemo treatments per benefit period. You’ll have to pay out of pocket if you need chemo treatments for more than 100 days. 

Other Cancer Treatments Covered Under Medicare

Chemo isn’t the only approved technique for treating cancer. Radiation therapy and immunotherapy are also common today. 

Here’s what you need to know about Medicare coverage for radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and cancer drugs. 

Radiation Therapy

Radiation is a cancer treatment that targets cancer cells helping to slow the growth of tumors or prevent them from metastisizing. 

Medicare Part B does cover radiation services you receive in an outpatient setting. For example, Medicare Part A will cover the radiation services you receive at a hospital. 

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a modern cancer treatment that uses your immune cells to fight off cancerous cells. 

In some cases, Medicare will cover immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is covered by Part A if you receive it at home or in a doctor’s office. While Part B covers immunotherapy, you receive it at a hospital. 

Cancer Medications

Part B Medicare does cover some cancer medications. For example, Part B will cover 80% of anti-nausea medications and IV cancer treatments. However, most other drugs aren’t covered under Medicare Part B.

The good news is that Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover many of the medications Part B doesn’t, including injections you need at home and medicines that could prevent or reduce the spread of cancer. 

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Get Coverage For Your Cancer Treatments

So, does Medicare cover chemotherapy? Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits for cancer treatments. But if you want to avoid paying out-of-pocket costs, Medigap may be for you. 

Are you looking for a Medigap plan that will have you completely covered in cancer? Contact a licensed insurance agent today and get the coverage you deserve!

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