by Rob Falkenberg, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of California

Open enrollment season is here, a time when more than 18.3 million people in California and millions of Americans across the country will have the opportunity to select or switch their health insurance plan for 2020.

To help guide you during this important time, here are some tips that may help lead you to better health and cost savings.

1: Know your open enrollment dates

For the more than 178 million Americans with employer-provided coverage, many employers set aside a two-week period between September and December when employees can select health benefits for the following year.
For the more than 64 million people enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

For most people, changes made during this time will take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

2: Understand your options. When it comes to selecting a plan, one size does not fit all. Take the time to understand your options so you can find what will work best for you. A good first step is to make sure you understand health insurance lingo, such as premium, deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. If you need a refresher, check out UnitedHealth Group’s Just Plain Clear Glossary (in English, Spanish and Portuguese) to learn and understand health care terms. And if you’re eligible for Medicare, make sure you’re familiar with the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage as you weigh your options.

3: Anticipate next year’s health expenses. When reviewing your options, plan ahead. Maybe you are expecting a significant health event next year, such as a surgery or having a baby. If so, then it’s even more important to compare the “total cost” of your plan, not just your monthly premium. Plan designs vary, so also compare deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

4: Check to make sure your medications are covered

Even if you don’t expect to change plans, it’s important to make sure your prescription drugs will still be covered next year. Costs can change from year to year, and how much you pay for generics vs. brands may differ among health plans.

5: Ask about well-being programs. Many health plans now offer financial incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, walking, going to the gym or not using nicotine. Also, many Medicare Advantage plans offer gym memberships and wellness programs for members at no additional costs.

6: Don’t forget about specialty benefits

Additional benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, disability or critical illness insurance, are often cost-effective coverage options that can help protect you and your family from head to toe. For Medicare beneficiaries, some may be surprised that Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs and most dental, vision and hearing services, but many Medicare Advantage plans do.

7: Try the convenience of virtual visits. If you are busy juggling kids’ schedules or work travel, or simply prefer to connect with a doctor from the comfort of your own home, consider choosing a plan that includes 24/7 virtual visits. It may be a convenient, lower-cost way to talk to a doctor about minor health issues, and all you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer. Often, telehealth is available to members of employer-sponsored, individual and Medicare Advantage plans.

For more helpful articles and videos about open enrollment and health care, visit UHCOpenEnrollment.com.

Walking is great exercise and walking in the mall is second only to walking in neighborhoods in popularity. Malls are great places to walk because they provide a sheltered indoor space free from traffic and bad weather.

There are many benefits to walking in the mall:

You can walk alone or with a group. Even if you arrive at the mall alone, you’ll probably meet other walkers. The support of others can help motivate you to keep going.

It’s convenient. Although a formal mall walking program may have set hours, you can also set your own schedule, and walk any time the mall is open.

Malls are easy to get to. Many have bus stops on site or nearby.

Malls are pedestrian friendly. They have level floors, benches or other places to rest, water fountains, and accessible restrooms.

It’s free. You might be tempted to window-shop, but you don’t have to buy anything. If you do shop, some stores may give discounts to mall walkers.

You don’t need special exercise equipment other than comfortable walking shoes.

Walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome.

Malls are accessible to those with varying physical abilities.

You can walk at your own pace. As you get used to walking, increase the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of your walk to improve your fitness. Try taking the stairs to the second level instead of the escalator.

Mall walking is non-competitive. You can exercise and socialize in a friendly environment.

Security staff help make malls a safe place to walk.

Ask if your local mall currently has a mall walking program. If not, check out Mall Walking: A Program Resource Guide from the University of Washington and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and see how easy it is to start one. Learn best practices from other mall walking programs, see how to work successfully with mall management, and more.

The Ombudsman Program of Ventura County is looking for volunteers in the west county area to advocate for older, and dependent adults, living in long-term care facilities. Did you know that 60% of all older adult residents in skilled nursing facilities have no family or friends to speak for them? Join the LTC Ombudsman Program and make a difference in the lives of the forgotten, vulnerable older adults in your community. For more information about January training, please call Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, Inc., Ombudsman Program at 656-1986, and/or visit www.ombudsmanventura.org.

by Patty Jenkins

Get into the Holiday spirit on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, from 12:30-2:30PM, with the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group as we host one of Ventura County’s most talented magicians, Mr. Paul Dwork of Merlin Medical Supply. Join us as we celebrate making it though another year of “the seriousness of Parkinson’s” with some lighthearted magic by Paul followed by “the best medicine – laughter!” Lorelei Woerner-Eisner of the Wellness Arts Village will lead us in some Laughter Yoga and we’ll all leave with smiles to start the Holiday Season!

Paul Dwork is a Master Magician who performs at many fundraisers for various charities in Southern California including an annual show in Moorpark organized by the Rotary Club of Camarillo where proceeds go to worthy charities such as the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. Paul has been performing magic since 1969 and has developed a reputation as “The Merlin of Magic”. He created his show in 1985 as a fund raiser for his children’s pre-school and continues to perform using Science and Magic as part of a magical experience for children of all ages.

Merlin Medical Supply in Camarillo is a great source for durable medical goods, specialty equipment for the physically challenged, which would include Parkinson’s, diabetic, incontinence and wound management supplies and other medical aids. Paul is an inventor of many products that help improve quality of life, which includes the GeeWhiz Condom Catheter for male incontinence.

Lorelei Woerner-Eisner is the Founder of Wellness Arts Village in Ventura (Grand opening in the Spring of 2020!). Lorelei has over 25 years of Occupational Therapy experience and more than 10 years as a yoga therapist in pediatrics, acute care, home health, rehabilitation, mental health, and skilled nursing. She is a regularly featured national speaker on various topics from an integrative perspective and has written several handbooks. Lorelei is a Fieldwork Educator with USC, on faculty with the Optimal State of Living program, and leads retreats. She is the developer of the Integrative Wellness Therapy method, which blends western medicine with research-based complementary techniques, with an emphasis on neurological concerns (Parkinson’s, Post-stroke, brain injury, dementia) and mental health (executive function, anxiety, depression, ADHD). She received her degree in Occupational Therapy from USC and her Yoga Therapy certificate from Loyola Marymount University and the Optimal State Method.

Join us for our last meeting of 2019 on Wednesday November 13, from 12:30 to 2:30 at Ventura City Hall’s Community Meeting Room # 202; 501 Poli Street. The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes the public along with those who find themselves navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Hand-out resources available at every meeting. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with any other organization or group. For more information and important detailed directions to our meetings, please call Patty at 805-766-6070.