by Margie Johnson Ware, Aging and Health Specialist and Bonnie Burns, Medicare Specialist

How does having a disability affect my Medicare options?

This is one of the most common questions future beneficiaries ask. Although many boomers are familiar with the eligibility age for Medicare, many others do not realize that you can be enrolled automatically (earlier than age 65) if you’re approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit payments.

Before being approved for social security disability benefits by the SSA, they have to evaluate your rights first, such as the severity of your impairment and your inability to work, to name a few. Some people who have had previous experience in this area already know how difficult these applications are to file, and so by seeking out professional help, similar to Crest SSD, they will be able to support your application in order for you to receive the benefits that you are entitled to. Once this has been done, only then will you be eligible for Medicare.

After drawing SSDI for 24 months (2 years), you will be automatically enrolled into both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (also known as “Original Medicare”) starting the 25th month, and you will receive a Medicare card in the mail. In some cases, you can receive Medicare in less than two years if Social Security determines that your disability started before your disability application date, or if you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

What if I don’t want to be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare? Can I disenroll?

Part A is free for most people, but Part B involves paying a monthly premium. You cannot decline Part A unless you’re willing to pay back all the SSDI benefits you received, so you’ll likely need to keep it even if you are covered by your spouse’s employer insurance.

However, if you have employer coverage, you have the freedom to disenroll from Part B. It is important to check with the employer’s human resources office to find out how their plan works with Medicare Part B. Make sure the company has 100 employees or more-that means the employer insurance will be primary (i.e. that insurance is billed first, and most likely covers more of your care than Medicare Part B). If the employer has less than 100 employees, then your Medicare insurance will be primary-and you’ll therefore need to join Part B.

If you do decide you don’t need Part B, look on the back of your Medicare card for a box you can check to be removed from Part B. Then send the updated card back to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Or call SSA for help with disenrolling in Part B.

Will there be any copays and deductibles (out-of-pocket costs) if I am disabled?

Yes, although if you have employer insurance that is primary to Medicare, you may have fewer out-of-pocket expenses. If you don’t have employer insurance and you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you may want additional coverage. You can look for these additional coverage options by looking into the various Disability insurance policies that could be available to you.

For most beneficiaries (regardless of their disability status), the choice comes down to deciding between two main options:

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) combined with an optional Part D plan (prescription drug coverage) and/or an optional supplemental coverage plan to cover the cost gaps in Original Medicare known as Medigap (enrollment is limited for persons under age 65 in many states).

A Medicare Advantage plan (a private managed health plan that usually covers all of these services).

If you are low-income you may also be eligible for Medicaid as a supplement to pay out-of-pocket costs, depending on what the rules are in your state.

Have more questions about choosing the best coverage for your needs? We recommend you try taking the free Medicare Questionnaire tool for access to free professional Medicare advice from a licensed benefits advisor. You can also check out your local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for further assistance, or reach out to your local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

People get diabetes when their blood glucose level, sometimes called blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can lead to dangerous health problems, such as having a heart attack or stroke, and can even seriously put your feet at risk through peripheral vascular disease. This is why people with diabetes should make sure they have a life insurance policy just in case the worst happened. Visiting policyme.com would be a wise starting point for anyone who has this condition. The good news is that there are things you can do to take control of diabetes and prevent its problems, such as visiting a chiropodist such as diabetes brampton who can assess the state of your feet. It’s so important that you look after yourself if you have diabetes. It can be easily managed if you know what you are doing and follow the proper guidelines. If you are unsure, or just need that little bit of extra help then you can easily get diabetes management help.

Our bodies change the food we eat into glucose. Insulin helps glucose get into our cells where it can be used to make energy. If you have diabetes, your body may not make enough insulin, may not use insulin in the right way, or both. That may cause too much glucose in the blood. Your family doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in taking care of people with diabetes, called an endocrinologist.

There are two kinds of diabetes that can happen at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. This type of diabetes develops most often in children and young adults.

In type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin, but doesn’t use it the right way. It is the most common kind of diabetes. You may have heard it called adult-onset diabetes. Your chance of getting type 2 diabetes is higher if you are overweight, inactive, or have a family history of diabetes.

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body. It’s important to keep type 2 diabetes under control. Over time it can cause problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and circulation problems that may lead to amputation. People with type 2 diabetes have a greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people have “pre-diabetes.” This means their glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a serious problem because people with pre-diabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. But, there are things you can do to prevent or delay actually getting type 2 diabetes. Losing weight may help. Healthy eating and being physically active for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week is a small change that can make a big difference. You can help track your weight loss by using electronics such as a Fitbit that can monitor activity levels and how you are progressing. Checking out sites like Mobile Mob can help you get the accessories that you need for your device.

Some people with type 2 diabetes may not know they have it. But, they may feel tired, hungry, or thirsty. They may lose weight without trying, urinate often, or have trouble with blurred vision. They may also get skin infections or heal slowly from cuts and bruises. There are several blood tests doctors can use to help diagnosis of diabetes:

Once you’ve been told you have type 2 diabetes, the doctor may prescribe diabetes medicines to help control blood glucose levels. There are many kinds of medication available. Your doctor will choose the best treatment based on the type of diabetes you have, your everyday routine, and other health problems.

Medicare will pay to help you learn how to care for your diabetes. It will also help pay for diabetes tests, supplies, special shoes, foot exams, eye tests, and meal planning. Be sure to check your Medicare plan to find more information.

Studies have shown that most people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within a few years, unless they change their lifestyle. Most people with prediabetes don’t have any symptoms. Your doctor can test your blood to find out if your blood glucose levels are higher than normal.

Losing weight-at least 5 to 10 percent of your starting weight-can prevent or delay diabetes or even reverse prediabetes.

Medicine can help control the amount of glucose in your blood. Ask your doctor if medicine to control glucose is right for you.

by Essie L. Landry, Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration Sierra West Area

Social Security definitely know a thing or two about helping children. Often overlooked in the paperwork that prospective parents fill out in preparation for a child’s birth is an application for a Social Security number and card.  Typically, the hospital will ask if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your newborn as part of the birth registration process. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply.  The Social Security card typically arrives about a week to ten days after that little bundle of joy! You can learn about Social Security numbers for children by reading our publication, Social Security Numbers for Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

At www.socialsecurity.gov, we have a variety of services available to you, all from the comfort of your home. You can apply for disability benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can also file for retirement benefits, spousal benefits, or Medicare-only benefits while enjoying leftover pumpkin pie. Our secure, easy-to-navigate website is sure to add plenty of comfort and joy to the festivities.

For the first site of Social Security, we give to you: our home page, www.socialsecurity.gov. It’s the place to go for all things Social Security. Everything you could want — from online services and benefit screening tools to publications and frequently asked questions — you can find all these and more on this site. On the twelfth site of Social Security (and we saved the best for last): open your own personal my Social Security account, which will enable you to verify your earnings, get future benefit estimates, obtain benefit verification letters, update your Social Security information, and more at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. You have to read to column to see what you can find on sites two to eleven.

With the New Year Comes New Changes: Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a slight increase in 2017.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $127,200 from $118,500. Of the estimated 173 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2017, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Share the gift of security give your loved ones some peace of mind by introducing them to Social Security’s many programs. www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

What can I do to prepare for my partner’s care if he/she suddenly becomes ill beyond my ability to care for by myself; how do I protect my partner’s wishes and our assets? What are the benefits of planning for the unexpected and “final care” now, what are the options in our area?

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group will host Debra Mansfield, Owner of The Lynd Group at their meeting Wednesday, March 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St. Public welcome, no admission fee.

The best time to talk and plan for long term and final care is before you need it. Over 70% of Americans over the age of 65 will need care beyond what family can provide and the average stay in a care facility is 3 years; will Medicare cover that cost and if not, what can one do to protect one’s finances?

Come find some answers about care giving choices, and alternatives at this meeting. Debra has recent personal experience with “the assisted living care system” and has the most recent developments in long term care to share with us. She and The Lynd Group have been helping the community plan for their financial futures since 2009. Debra also has a personal connection to Parkinson’s disease.

Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required.