Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks
Topic: Understand the Health Benefits of Your Loved One!
The New Year is here, and there is no better time than the present to revisit and learn about your loved ones’ health and health benefits. Knowing the doctors, clinics, and hospitals caring for your loved one is also essential information to secure.
As we know, benefits can change from year to year. The benefit information is critical to limiting out-of-pocket expenses, mainly if Medicare Advantage Plans are used. With the added benefits of Medicare Part C and Part D, they declare prescription drug benefits more inclusive and other benefits like vision, dental, and hearing.
Remember, there is a difference between a preferred provider organization(PPO) and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan(more restrictive), so consider this. Practitioners change as benefits change, so be prepared if the doctors you had in the past have moved on; it happens.
Loved ones on Medicaid have different rules, so explore those benefits. Medicaid eligibility, a public health insurance, is determined from state to state and has more strict movement in the healthcare system.
I encourage you to take full advantage of every benefit your loved one is given: annual physicals, eye examinations, dental care(denture care), and hearing evaluation. A pivotal role of a caregiver is to handle the health and well-being of our elderly loved ones. Health, safety, and quality of life are fundamental in caregiving.
If you are looking for new practitioners who accept Medicaid, visit Medicaid.gov. For Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans, visit Medicare.gov. You can also search by street address, city, state, ZIP code, type of provider, and doctor’s name or the name of a practice or facility.
As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, the health of your loved one matters. Getting an early handle on health benefits is one hands-on step to staying abreast of your loved one’s needs and demands. Be Safe! Be Well!
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman is a retired registered nurse and case manager, CEO of Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate. She has released her newest book, The Essential Caregiver Training Course for Corporations and Community. From the Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor, and The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers.
Website: www.cynthiajhickman.com
