Managing your health

I never thought I'd say it...but, being healthy is what it's all about. As a kid, I remember my parents and all folks over -- 40 -- saying things like, "As long as you have your health..." I guess the ending would be something like, "You'll be fine." Or, "Everything else is fine." Or, "Nothing else matters."

I wouldn't agree with them -- way back then. But now...when the aches and pains are a bit more pronounced, I see what they meant. And, I know that good health is truly the #1 importance in life. Good health - healthy kids, healthy folks, healthy pets -- life is just easier when you have good health. Of course, we don't know this, nor learn it effectively, until we lose our good health. As with so many things, hindsight is 20-20. When I was 20, I told my mother that I'd be in just as good shape when I was 40 - and I was. Then, life interfered and my health went downhill. Oh, I'm still walking around, but...I tire a whole lot quicker than I used to. And, I can't eat whatever I want anymore. And, I find long walks - hurt my knees. <big sigh>

That leads me to this notice about the Medicare Rx Enrollment. There was a lot of news about it a few months ago. I didn't pay much attention, though I wondered if I should. After all, I will be a 'senior' citizen some day, and I may need to know this information. All the news reports kept making this new medicare drug plan very complicated, and yet, I did see some local news reports showing seniors that said it wasn't that hard to understand at all.

When I was introduced to this checklist from the AARP, I thought it would make a good post for this blog. Maybe this will help someone...and that would make me happy. Here is what the AARP suggests...

1. MAKE A LIST OF THE DRUGS YOU TAKE. Dates, times, and frequency. If you get your medication at one place, perhaps the pharmacist can help you put this list together.

2. KEEP YOUR MEDICARE CARD WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT. In the event you don't know where your card is, call the Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213. Remember to provide the name you want on the card - using the one that is on your social security card. And, your date of birth. No fudging!

3. IDENTIFY A PERMANENT MAILING ADDRESS. Some seniors travel, or move about the country, rather than staying put in one place all year long. In some cases you may want to assign an address of a relative, or have a P.O. box, someplace that your regular mail will be delivered. Otherwise, the medicare notices will be delivered to the address you gave when you got your social security card!

4. THOSE ON A LIMITED INCOME...have access to significant extra help. Just ask at the social security office. If you're not sure - ASK!

5. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRUG PLAN CAN BE FOUND at the Medicare office: 1-800-633-4227. This line is open 24.7. AARP recommends pressing Zero to get a LIVE customer service rep. You remember them, right? REAL people, who can listen and actually answer questions? Here's what they'll do: they'll take your drug list over the phone, and do some plan comparisons for you. Tell the person you talk to if you are receiving Medicaid, are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, or have applied for EXTRA HELP. If you like, they will mail this information to you. Just ask.

6. CHECK TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR DRUGS. Call the number in #5 and a customer service rep can do a search to find pharmacies within your zip code.

7. BE PREPARED TO CHOOSE. You *MUST* get enrolled. Once you've enrolled, you can change plans up till May 15 of this year (2006). Time is of the essence! If you qualify for EXTRA HELP, you'll be able to change your plan until December of this year (2006).

8. CALL YOUR DRUG PLAN TO CONFIRM ENROLLMENT. Choosing a plan by May 10th give you a better chance of getting your card in time for your benefits to begin on the first of June. If you don't get your card by then, take your Medicare card, a photo ID, the phone number of your drug plan sponsor, and any written documentation the plan may have sent you, to your pharmacy. The pharmacist can check to see if you're in the system. If you're not in the system, SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS...you will want to be reimbursed for your charges when your enrollment comes through.

The AARP recomment that you call the State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program is you need more help. Their number is: 1-800-633-4227.

Maybe you should print this page and save it. Can't hurt, right?